In the heart of Yunnan Province, the bustling Dounan Flower Market—Asia's largest floral hub—is blooming anew after three years of pandemic pressures. For stallholder Li Li, whose family has cultivated roses for generations, 2023 marks a vibrant comeback fueled by hybrid business models blending tradition with digital innovation.
\"We adapted to survive,\" Li shares, describing how her family shifted to live-streamed sales during COVID restrictions. Today, over 60% of their revenue comes from online orders and livestream auctions, with her nightly broadcasts drawing viewers as far as Japan and Singapore.
Market data shows traffic at Dounan has rebounded to 85% of pre-pandemic levels since China relaxed COVID measures in December 2022. Entrepreneurs like Li now use AI-driven logistics platforms to export fresh-cut flowers to 50+ countries and regions within 48 hours.
This revival mirrors broader momentum in Asia's floral economy, projected to grow 8.3% annually through 2025. As dawn breaks over crimson rose fields, Li smiles: \"Every petal tells our story—resilience rooted in tradition, blossoming through change.\"
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
