Overview

Sydney Flower Market is Australia's largest flower market for fresh cut flowers. The diverse group of growers at the Sydney Flower Market primarily supply florists in the Sydney area, regional NSW and the ACT, but the market is also open to the general public. It is estimated that the Sydney Flower Market has an annual turnover in excess of $150 million and accounts for approximately 75% of the wholesale cut flower trade in NSW. Potted plants and florist supplies such as ribbon, wrap, foam and other sundries are also sold.

The Sydney Flower Market has been a part of Sydney's market tradition since the First Fleet. The first market was set up on a site that now houses the Maritime Gallery, before moving to The Rocks and then to a more permanent site at the Queen Victoria Building in George St, Sydney. As Sydney expanded, the markets relocated to Haymarket. This proved to be too small for the needs of the exploding Sydney Metropolitan area, so the NSW Government commissioned construction at Sydney Markets where the Sydney Flower Market is currently located. Today, approximately 170 traders hold stands in the hustle and bustle of the modern day Sydney Flower Market at Sydney Markets. NSW is very fortunate as it has a wide range of climates within the state, meaning that a wide variety of flowers can be locally grown, with the main flower growing areas being on the Central Coast, around Horsley Park and Leppington, and in the Hills area at Dural and Glenorie. All these areas are within 2 - 3 hours travel of the Sydney Markets and fresh cut flowers are brought in from these farms each day.

All traders in the Sydney Flower Market must be flower growers, however many traders also act as wholesalers or agents for other growers throughout Australia. Some flowers are also imported, particularly when local supplies are low. All traders are shareholders of Sydney Markets Limited. Due to the use of a central market, Sydney can enjoy some of the lowest prices of fresh flowers in the developed world. The Sydney Flower Market has in fact become the key price indicator for fresh, cut flowers since the extensive variety of flowers stocked in the markets represents a comprehensive cross-section of growers.