Are roses from far away always worse? Not at all! In fact, roses from Kenya and Ecuador can be surprisingly sustainable. All roses we offer at Surprose — whether they come from the United Kingdom, Kenya or Ecuador — are at least MPS-A certified. Here we explain why roses from outside Europe are not as “harmful” as is often thought, and why growers worldwide are making fantastic strides in sustainability.
Roses from Kenya: sustainability thanks to the sun
At growers such as Timaflor and Rift Valley Roses in Kenya, the sun always shines. And that is precisely why these roses are surprisingly sustainable.
- No artificial lighting required → the sun does the work, providing 12 hours of sunlight per day.
- Perfect climate → little energy required for heating or cooling.
- Water savings through smart irrigation systems and rainwater collection.
Because little energy is used during cultivation, this largely offsets the CO₂ emissions from air transport. And did you know that flights to the United Kingdom are often already scheduled? The flowers travel in the ‘belly space’, which is more efficient than you might think.
Roses from Ecuador: high quality at high altitude
Ecuador is the country of long, strong roses. Think of growers such as Naranjo Roses, who grow at high altitude. The advantages:
- Cool high mountain climate → less energy required.
- Plenty of natural sunlight → no lamps, no extra power.
- High humidity → less irrigation and therefore less water consumption.
Here too, the cultivation itself is very energy efficient. As a result, the CO₂ emissions from transport are less significant than you might expect.
MPS-A certification: the same quality standard worldwide
All growers selected by Surprose — whether they are based in the Netherlands, Kenya or Ecuador — are at least MPS-A certified. This means:
- Responsible use of fertilisers and crop protection products
- Efficient water use
- Good working conditions
- Transparent and verifiable production process
So you always know you are making a responsible choice.
But... what about transport?
A common thought is: ‘If it has to come from Africa or South America, surely that can't be sustainable?’ But here's the surprising part: because of the almost energy-free cultivation in sunny countries, the total carbon footprint is often comparable to — and sometimes even lower than — that of a greenhouse product from a cold country such as the United Kingdom. And because all roses ultimately pass through Royal Flora Holland Aalsmeer, the logistics are extremely efficient. All the roses from our orders come together there, ready for the specified delivery date. We take those roses straight away to be arranged and sent out.
Sustainable roses come from all over the world
Whether you choose top-quality Dutch roses from Berg Roses or Meewisse Roses, or beautiful African and South American roses from Timaflor, Rift Valley Roses or Naranjo Roses, you are always choosing a more sustainable flower than you might think.
At Surprose, we believe that a beautiful rose does not have to come from around the corner to be sustainable. Nature, innovation and responsible entrepreneurship together ensure that roses from all over the world are a conscious choice.
Which roses will you choose?
- Red roses from Kenya - or - red roses from the Netherlands
- Soft pink roses from Kenya - or - pink roses from Ecuador
- White roses from the Netherlands - or white roses from Ecuador
Whichever colour you choose, your bouquet of roses will always come from our growers who work sustainably and responsibly.
