The 23rd Kunming International Flowers & Plants Expo (KIFE & IFEX), held from September 19–21, 2025, reaffirmed Kunming’s reputation as the beating heart of Asia’s horticultural trade. More than 60,000 square meters of innovation, artistry, and global networking were filled by exhibitors from the Netherlands, France, the UK, and beyond.
Do You Know Why Yunnan Is Strategically the Best Location?
A standout presence was Yuxi De Ruiter Flower Co., Ltd., the Chinese branch of Dutch breeder De Ruiter. Since its founding in the early 2000s in Yuxi, Yunnan, the company has been committed to introducing and localizing high-performing rose varieties for the Chinese market. Yuxi (玉溪) is a prefecture-level city in Yunnan Province, China, about 90 km south of Kunming.
It’s known for its mild climate, fertile soil, and strong agricultural base. The area has become important for flower cultivation, especially roses, thanks to its altitude and favorable growing conditions.
That’s why De Ruiter established Yuxi De Ruiter Flower Co., Ltd. there in 2005, to test, trial, and introduce new rose varieties directly in China’s floral heartland. At this year’s expo, Yuxi De Ruiter showcased not only its latest rose innovations but also its business-minded approach, connecting breeding expertise with the realities of China’s dynamic flower trade.
What Was the Expo for Yuxi De Ruiter About?
Their booth quickly became a hub for Chinese growers, distributors, and floral retailers, all seeking high-yield, disease-resistant varieties with striking colors and petal forms. From cut flowers to potted options, Yuxi De Ruiter demonstrated how new genetics can be translated into profitable opportunities across multiple segments of the floral value chain.
Beyond the exhibition floor, forums on plant variety protection, modernization, digitalization, and e-commerce marketing created fertile ground for business. For Yuxi De Ruiter, these discussions aligned seamlessly with their strategy: ensuring intellectual property, adapting to local infrastructure, and leveraging digital tools to expand market reach.
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Looking Ahead
The strategic location of Yunnan, with its biodiversity, ideal climate, and role as a flower distribution hub, provided the perfect stage. Deals initiated at Kunming are expected to blossom into long-term partnerships and contracts, cementing Yuxi De Ruiter’s position as both a breeding leader and a business builder in China.
As the expo closed, one message was clear: for Yuxi De Ruiter, creating a flower business is about more than roses—it’s about shaping the future of China’s floral industry.
