How to Read a Wholesale Flower Availability List Before Placing an Order
When buying fresh flowers from Kenya or Ethiopia, importers often receive an availability list containing flower names, colours, stem lengths, prices, packing information and available quantities.
For experienced flower buyers, these lists may be easy to understand.
For a new importer, however, the information can sometimes be confusing.
What does “50 cm” mean?
Is the price per stem or per bunch?
How many stems are packed in a box?
Can several colours be mixed?
Does the price include airfreight?
What does “limited availability” mean?
Understanding a wholesale flower availability list helps buyers place more accurate orders, compare suppliers properly and avoid unexpected costs.
At Lisa’s Flowers Export, we source fresh-cut flowers from professional farms in Kenya and Ethiopia for importers, wholesalers, florists, hotels, wedding decorators, event companies, supermarkets and flower distributors.
This guide explains how to read a wholesale flower availability list before confirming an order.
📋 What Is a Wholesale Flower Availability List?
A wholesale flower availability list is a document showing the flowers currently available or expected to be available from one or more farms.
It may be provided as:
📊 An Excel spreadsheet
📄 A PDF document
📱 A WhatsApp message
📧 An email
🖥️ An online catalogue
📸 Photographs with prices
📝 A simple text list
An availability list may include:
🌸 Flower type
🌹 Variety name
🎨 Colour
📏 Stem length
🔢 Available quantity
💰 Price
📦 Packing rate
🌱 Farm or country of origin
📅 Availability date
✈️ Shipping conditions
Availability can change quickly because fresh flowers are agricultural products.
A flower shown as available in the morning may become limited or sold out later, especially during busy periods.
🌍 Why Availability Lists Change Frequently
Flower availability depends on:
🌦️ Weather conditions
🌡️ Temperature
🌱 Farm production cycles
✂️ Harvest quality
📈 International demand
📅 Seasonal events
🌸 Variety performance
✈️ Available airfreight space
Flowers are not manufactured products that can always be produced immediately.
A farm may expect 5,000 stems of a particular rose variety, but the final quantity suitable for export may be lower after grading.
This is why an availability list should be treated as a current indication rather than a permanent catalogue.
Prices and quantities should normally be reconfirmed before the order is finalised.
📊 Example of a Wholesale Flower Availability List
A typical flower availability list may look like this:ProductVarietyColourLengthPricePackingAvailabilityStandard roseExample RedRed50 cm$0.25/stem20 stems/bunchAvailableStandard roseExample WhiteWhite60 cm$0.31/stem20 stems/bunchLimitedSpray roseExample PinkPink50 cm$0.45/stem10 stems/bunchAvailableGypsophilaXlenceWhite70 cm$4.50/bunch250 g bunchAvailableChrysanthemumExample WhiteWhite70 cm$0.38/stem5 stems/bunchOn request
The names and figures above are only examples.
Every farm may use a slightly different format.
🌹 1. Understand the Flower Type
The first column normally identifies the general flower category.
Common flower types include:
🌹 Standard roses
🌸 Spray roses
🤍 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
💜 Delphinium
🌻 Sunflowers
🌿 Hypericum
🌸 Astrantia
💛 Craspedia
🌿 Lepidium
💐 Seasonal flowers
The flower type is important because different products are priced and packed differently.
For example:
- Standard roses are often priced per stem.
- Gypsophila may be priced per bunch or by bunch weight.
- Hydrangea may be priced per stem.
- Some fillers may be sold by bunch.
- Certain products may have a minimum order per variety.
Never assume that all products on the same list use the same pricing unit.
🌹 2. Standard Roses Versus Spray Roses
Standard roses and spray roses are different products.
Standard roses
A standard rose normally has one main flower head on each stem.
They are commonly used for:
💐 Bouquets
🏨 Hotels
💒 Weddings
🎁 Gift arrangements
🏪 Flower shops
🌹 Luxury floral designs
Spray roses
A spray rose has several flowers or buds on one branched stem.
They are suitable for:
🌸 Wedding arrangements
💐 Romantic bouquets
🎂 Table decorations
🏨 Hotel arrangements
📸 Event installations
🤍 Mixed flower designs
Spray roses are normally wider and more delicate than standard roses.
They may therefore have different packing rates and a higher price per stem.
🏷️ 3. Check the Variety Name
The variety name identifies the exact flower cultivar.
For roses, the variety affects:
🎨 Colour
🌸 Flower-head shape
📏 Stem strength
🌹 Bud size
💐 Opening style
📅 Vase life
📦 Packing density
💰 Price
Two red roses may look different even if they have the same colour description.
One variety may have:
- A darker red tone
- A larger flower head
- A slower opening pattern
- A stronger stem
- A longer vase life
- A higher price
Buyers should not select a product only by colour.
The exact variety can influence the appearance and commercial value of the flower.
🎨 4. Read the Colour Description Carefully
Flower availability lists may use simple colour descriptions such as:
❤️ Red
🤍 White
🩷 Pink
💛 Yellow
🧡 Orange
💜 Purple
🍑 Peach
🌸 Blush
🍷 Burgundy
💚 Green
🎨 Bicolour
However, natural flower colours can vary slightly.
For example:
- “Pink” can mean pale pink, hot pink or dusty pink.
- “White” may be bright white, cream or ivory.
- “Peach” may contain pink, orange or beige tones.
- “Red” may be bright red, dark red or burgundy.
For weddings and branded events, buyers should request photographs of the current crop when colour accuracy is important.
A reference photograph can help, but natural flowers may not perfectly match an image shown on a phone or computer screen.
📏 5. Understand Stem Lengths
Stem length is one of the most important columns on a wholesale flower list.
Standard roses may be available in lengths such as:
📏 40 cm
📏 50 cm
📏 60 cm
📏 70 cm
📏 80 cm
Different lengths are suitable for different markets.
40 cm
Suitable for:
- Retail bouquets
- Smaller arrangements
- Supermarket flowers
- Affordable flower programmes
50 cm
A common commercial length used by:
- Florists
- Hotels
- Event companies
- Wholesalers
- Bouquet makers
60 cm
Suitable for:
- Premium bouquets
- Wedding arrangements
- Hotel displays
- Larger floral designs
70 and 80 cm
Often used for:
- Luxury flower arrangements
- Tall vases
- Wedding installations
- Premium hotels
- High-end retail markets
Longer flowers usually cost more and take up more space in export boxes.
As a result, the airfreight cost per stem may also be higher.
📐 How Is Stem Length Measured?
Stem length is generally measured from the bottom of the stem to the top of the flower head.
The exact grading method may vary slightly by flower type and farm.
Buyers should confirm:
✅ Whether the flower head is included
✅ The accepted length tolerance
✅ Whether all stems in the bunch have the same grade
✅ Whether mixed lengths are allowed
For large event orders, even small differences in length can affect the final design.
🌸 6. Check Flower-Head or Bud Size
Some availability lists include information about flower-head size or bud size.
This may be expressed in:
📏 Centimetres
🌹 Small, medium or large
🏷️ Farm-specific grades
🌸 Premium or standard quality
A rose with a large flower head may have a higher price than a smaller-headed variety of the same colour and length.
Large-headed roses can also require more packing space.
Buyers should consider:
- The target customer
- The resale price
- The type of event
- The bouquet style
- The expected opening stage
A luxury hotel or wedding decorator may prefer larger flower heads, while a retail bouquet programme may prioritise price and stem count.
💰 7. Confirm the Pricing Unit
This is one of the most important points.
The listed price may be:
💵 Per stem
💵 Per bunch
💵 Per kilogram
💵 Per box
💵 Per pack
For example:
- Standard roses: $0.25 per stem
- Spray roses: $0.45 per stem
- Gypsophila: $4.50 per bunch
- Greenery: $3.00 per bunch
- Certain fillers: price per kilogram
Always ask:
Is the price per stem, per bunch or per box?
A misunderstanding about the pricing unit can significantly change the total order value.
💱 8. Check the Currency
Flower prices may be quoted in:
💵 US dollars
💶 Euros
💷 British pounds
🌍 Another agreed currency
Confirm the currency before comparing offers.
Also consider:
- Bank-transfer charges
- Exchange-rate changes
- Currency-conversion fees
- Intermediary bank costs
A small exchange-rate movement can affect the total cost of a large flower order.
📦 9. Understand the Bunch Size
Flowers are normally packed in bunches.
Typical bunch sizes may include:
🌹 10 stems
🌹 20 stems
🌹 25 stems
🌼 5 stems
🌿 A specified bunch weight
The bunch size depends on the product, farm and buyer requirement.
For example:
- Standard roses may be packed in bunches of 10, 20 or 25 stems.
- Spray roses may be packed in 10-stem bunches.
- Chrysanthemums may use a different bunch size.
- Gypsophila may be sold in 250 g or 500 g bunches.
The buyer should confirm the bunch size because it affects:
📦 Packing
🔢 Final quantities
🏪 Resale preparation
👷 Handling time
💰 Cost comparison
📦 10. What Does Packing Rate Mean?
The packing rate shows how many stems or bunches can be packed in a box.
For example:
500 stems per full box
or:
25 bunches per box
Packing rates can vary according to:
📏 Stem length
🌸 Flower-head size
🌹 Variety
📦 Box dimensions
🌿 Product volume
🏷️ Farm packing system
A box of 40 cm roses can usually contain more stems than a box of 70 cm roses.
Spray roses and gypsophila require more space because they are wider and more voluminous.
Always treat packing rates as estimates until the final order is packed.
⚖️ Why Packing Rate Matters for Airfreight
Airfreight is influenced by:
- Number of boxes
- Gross weight
- Box dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- Airline rate
- Destination
A lower packing rate means more boxes may be needed for the same number of stems.
More boxes can increase:
✈️ Airfreight cost
📦 Handling charges
🚚 Local transport costs
🛃 Destination terminal charges
This is why buyers should compare the complete landed cost rather than only the flower price.
🔢 11. Check the Available Quantity
The availability column may use terms such as:
✅ Available
⚠️ Limited
📅 Available next week
📝 On request
❌ Sold out
🌱 Expected production
These descriptions do not all mean the same thing.
Available
The product is currently expected to be available.
Limited
Only a small quantity may be available, and confirmation is required quickly.
On request
The supplier must check the farm before confirming.
Expected production
The product may be available later, but the final export quantity is not yet guaranteed.
Sold out
The available quantity has already been allocated.
For large orders, ask for the exact number of stems or bunches that can be confirmed.
📅 12. Check the Availability Date
A flower may be available this week but not next week.
The availability list should ideally show:
📅 Harvest date
📅 Packing date
📅 Shipping week
📅 Expected arrival period
Buyers should send a clear required arrival date.
For example:
Required arrival at Accra Airport on 15 September.
This is more useful than saying:
I need the flowers next week.
The exporter needs time to coordinate:
🌱 Farm production
✂️ Harvesting
📦 Packing
🚚 Collection
🌿 Documents
✈️ Airfreight
🛃 Destination clearance
🌱 13. Check the Farm or Country of Origin
An availability list may include flowers from:
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🌍 Several farms in both countries
Different farms may offer:
- Different varieties
- Different stem lengths
- Different prices
- Different flower-head sizes
- Different packing methods
- Different minimum quantities
A mixed order may therefore involve several suppliers.
The exporter may consolidate the flowers before airfreight.
Additional consolidation or handling costs may apply.
✈️ 14. Understand the Quoted Delivery Term
The price list may show terms such as:
📦 Ex-farm
✈️ FCA or airport-delivered price
📍 “FOB Nairobi” or “FOB Addis Ababa” used commercially
🌍 Freight-inclusive airport price
📦 C&F or another agreed quotation
The exact inclusions must be confirmed.
Ask whether the price includes:
✅ Flowers
✅ Packing
✅ Transport to the airport
✅ Export handling
✅ Phytosanitary certificate
✅ Airfreight
✅ Consolidation
✅ Destination charges
✅ Customs clearance
✅ Local delivery
Never assume that a freight-inclusive price includes customs clearance or delivery to the buyer’s warehouse.
Each quotation should clearly list what is included and excluded.
🌿 15. Check Whether Documents Are Included
Commercial flower shipments may require:
📋 Commercial invoice
📦 Packing list
🌿 Phytosanitary certificate
✈️ Air waybill
🌍 Certificate of origin, when required
📄 Import documentation
The availability list may not show document charges.
Ask whether:
- Document costs are included
- The phytosanitary certificate is included
- There is a separate export-handling fee
- Destination permits are the buyer’s responsibility
Missing or incorrect documents can delay perishable cargo.
🎨 16. Can Colours Be Mixed?
Some farms allow several colours of the same flower to be packed in one box.
For example:
❤️ Red roses
🤍 White roses
🩷 Pink roses
💛 Yellow roses
However, the farm may require:
- A minimum number of bunches per colour
- Half a box per variety
- One full box per variety
- A minimum total order
Mixed boxes are useful for florists and event companies requiring several colours.
During peak periods, mixed packing may be more difficult because farms prioritise large single-variety orders.
🌸 17. Can Different Flower Types Be Mixed?
Different flower types may be included in one consolidated shipment.
For example:
🌹 Standard roses
🌸 Spray roses
🤍 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
They are normally packed in separate boxes according to product requirements.
The boxes are then combined into one airfreight shipment.
This gives the buyer access to a wider assortment while using one shipment and one arrival date.
🔄 18. Understand the Substitution Policy
Fresh flower availability can change.
A farm may be unable to supply the exact requested variety because of:
🌦️ Weather
🌡️ Temperature
🌱 Lower production
✂️ Quality grading
📈 High demand
❤️ Peak-season reservations
The buyer should decide in advance whether substitutions are allowed.
Possible substitutions may include:
- A similar variety
- A close colour
- A different stem length
- A different flower-head size
- Another farm
- Another flower type
Important substitutions should never be made without the buyer’s approval.
A clear order can state:
No substitutions without written approval.
or:
Similar red rose varieties are accepted if the requested variety is unavailable.
⚠️ 19. Check Minimum Quantities
The minimum order may apply:
📦 Per box
🌸 Per variety
🎨 Per colour
🌱 Per farm
⚖️ Per shipment
✈️ Per airline booking
For example, a farm may require:
- Five bunches per colour
- Half a box per variety
- One box per product
- A minimum commercial shipment weight
Lisa’s Flowers Export normally works with commercial export quantities, and the practical airline minimum may be around 100 kg, depending on the destination, airline and freight forwarder.
The exact minimum must be checked for every route.
🧮 20. Calculate the Total Order Correctly
Suppose an availability list shows:
- 2,000 red roses at $0.25 per stem
- 1,000 white roses at $0.27 per stem
- 500 spray roses at $0.42 per stem
- 20 bunches of gypsophila at $4.50 per bunch
The flower value would be:ProductQuantityPriceTotalRed roses2,000 stems$0.25$500White roses1,000 stems$0.27$270Spray roses500 stems$0.42$210Gypsophila20 bunches$4.50$90Flower total$1,070
The final invoice may also include:
📦 Packing
🌿 Documents
🚚 Collection and consolidation
✈️ Airfreight
📋 Handling
💳 Bank charges
Always ask for the estimated total before confirming payment.
❌ A Poor Flower Enquiry
A message such as:
Please send your flower prices.
does not provide enough information.
The supplier still needs to ask:
- Which flowers?
- Which colours?
- Which lengths?
- What quantity?
- Which destination?
- Which arrival date?
This delays the quotation.
✅ A Good Wholesale Flower Enquiry
A better enquiry would be:
Please quote 2,000 red standard roses in 50 cm, 1,000 white standard roses in 60 cm, 500 pink spray roses and 20 bunches of gypsophila for arrival at Accra Airport on 15 September. Please show the flower price, packing, estimated airfreight and total chargeable weight.
This message gives the supplier enough information to check farms and prepare a useful offer.
📋 Wholesale Flower Order Checklist
Before confirming an order, check:
☐ Flower type
☐ Variety
☐ Colour
☐ Stem length
☐ Flower-head size
☐ Price unit
☐ Currency
☐ Bunch size
☐ Packing rate
☐ Available quantity
☐ Shipping date
☐ Farm or origin
☐ Delivery term
☐ Document charges
☐ Airfreight estimate
☐ Minimum quantity
☐ Substitution policy
☐ Destination airport
☐ Payment terms
⚠️ Common Mistakes When Reading an Availability List
Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Assuming every price is per stem
❌ Ignoring the currency
❌ Comparing different stem lengths as if they were the same product
❌ Forgetting to check bunch size
❌ Ignoring packing rates
❌ Assuming airfreight is included
❌ Ordering without specifying the destination airport
❌ Waiting too long to confirm limited products
❌ Not approving alternatives
❌ Comparing only the cheapest flower price
❌ Ignoring destination clearance costs
The lowest price does not always give the lowest landed cost.
🌍 Why Work With a Flower Export Coordinator?
An exporter or sourcing coordinator can help the buyer:
✅ Compare several farms
✅ Understand availability lists
✅ Select suitable varieties
✅ Check colours and lengths
✅ Consolidate products
✅ Confirm packing
✅ Prepare export documents
✅ Coordinate airfreight
✅ Communicate with farms
✅ Follow the order before departure
This can be particularly helpful for buyers who want several flower types from different farms.
🌹 Wholesale Flowers From Kenya and Ethiopia
Lisa’s Flowers Export sources and exports fresh-cut flowers from professional farms in Kenya and Ethiopia.
Our assortment can include:
🌹 Standard roses
🌸 Spray roses
🤍 Gypsophila
🌼 Chrysanthemums
🌺 Carnations
🌷 Alstroemeria
💜 Delphinium
🌻 Sunflowers
🌿 Hypericum
🌸 Astrantia
💛 Craspedia
💐 Seasonal flowers and fillers
We supply:
✅ Flower importers
✅ Wholesalers
✅ Florists
✅ Flower shops
✅ Hotels and restaurants
✅ Wedding decorators
✅ Event companies
✅ Supermarkets
✅ Flower distributors
Availability, prices and packing depend on the season, farm production, quantity and destination.
📲 Request a Wholesale Flower Availability List
Would you like to receive current flower availability from Kenya or Ethiopia?
Send us:
🌍 Destination country and airport
🌸 Required flower types
🎨 Preferred colours
📏 Stem lengths
🔢 Approximate quantities
📅 Required arrival date
📧 Email: info@lisasflowersexport.com
📱 WhatsApp: +254 755 855 955
🏠 Visit our Home Page:
www.lisasflowersexport.com
Contact Lisa’s Flowers Export for current wholesale flower availability, prices, packing information and shipping options from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wholesale flower availability list?
It is a document showing flowers currently available or expected from farms, including varieties, colours, lengths, prices and quantities.
Are flower prices normally per stem?
Many roses are priced per stem, but some flowers are priced per bunch, box or kilogram. Always confirm the pricing unit.
What does limited availability mean?
It means only a small quantity may be available. The buyer should request confirmation quickly.
Can several flower colours be packed in one box?
Sometimes. The farm may require a minimum number of bunches or a minimum quantity per colour.
Can I combine flowers from different farms?
Yes. Flowers from different farms can often be consolidated into one airfreight shipment.
Does the availability-list price include airfreight?
Not necessarily. The buyer should check whether the price is an origin price or includes freight to the destination airport.
What stem length should I choose?
The correct length depends on the market. Shorter stems suit retail bouquets, while longer stems are often chosen for hotels, weddings and luxury arrangements.
Why can availability change after I receive the list?
Flower production depends on harvest quality, weather, demand and farm grading. Quantities must normally be reconfirmed before payment.
What information should I send when requesting prices?
Send the flower types, colours, lengths, quantities, destination airport and required arrival date.