The Colombian fresh cut-flower industry is well recognized worldwide. Colombia is the second
largest exporter after the Netherlands and the largest carnation exporter in the world. Colombian floriculture is an export business and 95% of the production is sold abroad. Most plantations are found
on the savannah of Bogotá due to its strategic geographical location and water availability. However
this is not a clean industry. Environmental scandals and bad press reports are part of the sector’s history. Since 1996 producers and the industry association – Asocolflores – have implemented environmental strategies mainly based on the FlorverdeTM program. As a result, environmental
strategies based on constant improvement in operational effectiveness and new market opportunities have seduced Colombian producers. Nevertheless these strategies are not sufficient enough to
guarantee the sector’s and the companies’ endurance. Today environmental conflicts are evident
between fresh-cut flower production and the ecosystem of the savannah of Bogotá, threatening the
future of this industry in Colombia.