Bouquet of Roses May Have Note: “Made in China”

China’s plan to export cut flowers is less about conquering another industry and more about creating jobs in provinces other than those along the crowded, booming coast. Roses from impoverished Yunnan Province, grown and packed by workers who earn about $25 per month, have suddenly swept the global market. The Chinese government invested in greenhouses, airports, roads and other infrastructure to support the rose market while discouraging illegal markets like drugs. The support may also discourage economic discontent and the spread of Islamic extremism from central Asia. Other flower-producing countries complain that China does not pay royalties on popular varieties. As one analyst points out, the nagging worry about Chinese businesses entering any market is intense overproduction and a subsequent crash in prices. – YaleGlobal