# The Daily Upside - Commercial Flower Power (Highlights)  ## Highlights - But the flower industry is bigger than just one day, and flowers are more than just nice-looking, pleasant-smelling plants. They’re the backbone of a global industry that by some estimates trades nearly $30 billion in annual volume — and, like a faithful patch of peonies, continues to steadily grow, year-in and year-out. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gspg4vk28pmrf53phhv3a04n)) ^479087123 - 80% of all flowers are sold for commercial purposes to businesses, rather than homes or individuals, according to market research firm Astute Analytica. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gspgay1vd5t1fztfyp539yz4)) ^479088959 - The US is the world’s biggest importer of flowers, receiving 21% of the world’s supply. Overall, 80% of flowers sold in the United States were imported from foreign growers. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gspgbqry85avjm851yrpz9jt)) ^479089341 - Indeed, farmers much nearer the equator, specifically in Kenya, Ecuador, and Colombia, are quickly becoming flower-pedaling powerhouses. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01gspgecqp953kagc5rnvyw5ns)) ^479090041