South Korea: A series of Flower Bucket Challenge to support floriculture farmers in public sector

Fear of the novel coronavirus is causing a negative impact on consumerism. Flower businesses have also taken a direct hit among all the others. Many elementary, middle and high schools, as well as universities, canceled their entrance and graduation ceremonies that were planned to be held in February to prevent the further spread of the new coronavirus. Flower farmers are suffering as demand for cut flowers and bouquets, usually presented at such ceremonies.

Flower campaign
Beeld: ©Korea Rural Community Corporation
Flower Bucket Challenge

A series of consumption-promotion campaigns in the form of the Ice Bucket Challenge have been spreading among the public sector in the agricultural industry to ease the suffering of floriculture farmers caused by the COVID-19 situation. The Korea Rural Community Corporation (CEO Kim In Sik) said Tuesday that he would join this "flower promoting campaign" to support floriculture farmers in Korea who are suffering due to the spread of the new strain of the COVID-19. President Kim took over the baton from Chang, Seok Woong, superintendent of education in South Jeolla Province earlier.

To boost flower consumption, the Korea Rural Community Corporation will purchase and store air purification plants and flowers in each of their 482 offices, including headquarters and branch offices in the headquarters and regions, and launch a campaign to promote flower consumption, including "grow individual vases" and "send anniversary flowers."

CEO Kim of the Korea Rural Community Corporation pointed out  Kim Hong Sang, president of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, and Oh Byung Seok, head of the Agriculture, Food and Technology Planning and Evaluation Institute, as the next participants in the campaign, saying, "Let's give a spring of our hearts through flower gifts to our precious children, our neighbors and loved ones."

According to the Nonghyup Flower Market in Busan, the price of 10 roses is about 4,000 won ($3.38) to 6,000 won these days, while during the same period last year it was about 12,000 won to 15,000 won. – source: Yonhap News

Embassy of the Netherlands in South Korea is planning to organize a flower appreciation campaign among Korean consumers this year. We look forward to promoting the consumption of flower in the Korean market and further enhancing active cooperation with the Dutch floriculture business . Hereby you are kindly invited to share any idea for this campaign in South Korea. (E-mail to SEO-LNV@minbuza.nl)