T

he Denpasar municipality office aims to develop the city as an entrance for both domestic and international flower markets because of its huge potential for flower merchants.

City Agricultural Office head Gede Ambara Putra said demands for fresh tropical flowers, such as orchids, from Bali are very high.

“Many local players have tried to export their cut-flowers to several countries,” Putra said.

To promote local fresh flower producers, the city has planned to organize the National Floral Exhibition in Denpasar in November as part of the Sanur Village Festival and Denpasar Expo.

“Around 160 regencies across Indonesia have already confirmed their participation in the coming event. Our target is to invite at least 250 regencies, excluding the private sector and individual participants,” he said.

The mayoralty office has also invited a number of foreign participants through their embassies in Jakarta and consulate offices in Bali. “Next October, we will participate in Singapore’s Flori Flora Festival. It will be the right place and time to inform our activities in November to participating countries,” he said.

Ministry of Agriculture director of horticulture Ani Handayani explained that Denpasar has the potential to be developed as a new production center of fresh and cut flowers after Bandung in West Java.

“Denpasar has not had a real flower market like the Rawa Belong flower market in West Jakarta. The city should find a strategic location to be developed as a center for large-scale flower business,” Handayani said.

The city, she said, could be developed as a center for flower businesses for Eastern Indonesia.

“Denpasar can be a center, while other regencies can send their fresh flowers here. Bali is a strategic place for domestic flower transactions, as many domestic and foreign buyers frequently visit the island,” she said, adding that flowers and ornamental plants have their own specific markets.

“We cannot wait for buyers to come, but we have to create and tap any opportunity to draw buyers by holding flower festivals and related events,” she noted.

Hendra, one owner of a flower kiosk in Denpasar, admitted that the number of customers has been increasing year by year.

“Many people are now willing to buy fresh flowers as bouquet gifts and for ceremonial events. They mostly like orchids, roses, lilies, jasmine and other types of flowers,” he said.

The rapid growth of hotels, restaurants, villas and tourist-related facilities has boosted local demand for fresh and cut flowers on the island.

“We procure these fresh flowers from Malang and Pasuruan in East Java and Bogor and Bandung in West Java and Jakarta. Denpasar and other cities in Bali are not yet ready to provide the sustainable supplies of fresh and cut flowers,” he said.