Foshan's Shunde district has seen dramatic growth in its flower exports as the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, with spring flower and potted citrus tree exports reaching nearly $17.5 million.

Butterfly orchid exports have reached a whopping $4 million, a 63 percent increase year-on-year.

Shunde district's butterfly orchid exports reached nearly $4 million this year. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Flowers and potted citrus trees have long been necessities for residents of Hong Kong and Macao as well as overseas Chinese in Singapore and Vietnam, and Shunde district has a history of meeting these needs. In Singapore, over 80 percent spring flowers come from Shunde.

Despite the annual increase in production costs, spring flowers continue to be a hot commodity, with sales increasing by 60 percent in 2018, according to a manager from a flower export company in Shunde.

Spring flowers from Shunde district have a large overseas market share due to their high quality and avid promotion from the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine department. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"This year, the number of flower varieties increased significantly, with 400 types of flowers available to overseas customers", added the manager.

According to industry insiders, the increasing flower exports from Shunde can be attributed to high quality, tradition, and the ever-increasing influence of traditional Chinese culture. Moreover, the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau has greatly simplified the customs clearance process and enhanced efficiency, increasing the competitiveness of Shunde's spring flowers.

Authorities from Shunde's entry-exit inspection and quarantine department examine potted citrus trees for overseas export. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]