The flower delivery market of Norway

Flowers in Norway

Norway is a small market by population, with around 5.5 million inhabitants, but one of the most interesting in Northern Europe for florists. Purchasing power is high, flowers are bought regularly rather than only for special occasions, and the country follows its own rules: as a member of the European Economic Area but not of the European Union, Norway applies its own agricultural trade policy, which shapes where flowers come from, how much they cost and which ones are grown at home.

The market structure is roughly as follows:

  • Independent Florists
    Florist shops in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger and in towns across the country, serving private customers for birthdays, weddings, funerals and seasonal decorations, often with their own delivery service.
  • Florist Networks & Chains
    Relay networks and florist chains connect shops across the country, allowing orders to be placed in one city and delivered by a local florist in another, an important service in a country with long distances.
  • Supermarkets & Petrol Stations
    Grocery chains and service stations sell a large share of everyday bouquets and tulips at accessible prices, mainly for self-purchase and last-minute gifts.
  • Online Platforms
    Websites and apps offer nationwide ordering and delivery, competing on convenience, price and delivery speed, alongside international services sending flowers to Norway from abroad.
Supply is a distinctive feature of the Norwegian market. To protect domestic growers, Norway applies import duties on many cut flowers, with periods of the year when imports from Europe are more costly. At the same time, preferential tariffs for developing countries have opened the door to roses from East Africa. A peer-reviewed study by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs on preferential tariffs and Norwegian rose imports from Africa shows that once Kenya was included in the scheme, imports of roses from Africa grew rapidly, while imports from Europe and domestic rose production fell substantially. Today, most roses sold in Norway come from Kenya, Ethiopia and the Netherlands.

Tulips tell the opposite story. Norway has a strong greenhouse tulip industry, and according to trade publication FloralDaily, around 75 percent of the tulips sold in Norway are grown in the country. The tulip is the second most popular flower after the rose, and it is the undisputed flower of the Christmas season, when red tulips decorate homes across the country. The calendar also includes Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, which in Norway falls on the second Sunday of February, only days apart, as well as Easter, Constitution Day on 17 May, graduations and Christmas.

Several trends are shaping the market. Online ordering keeps growing, and customers expect clear prices, reliable delivery slots and mobile-friendly websites. Geography is a real challenge: delivering fresh flowers to the coast, the fjords or Northern Norway requires efficient logistics and local partners. Sustainability is increasingly important, which works in favour of locally grown tulips and seasonal flowers with a shorter transport chain. Meanwhile, high wages, a 25 percent VAT rate and import duties make flowers relatively expensive, which pushes florists to justify their prices through quality, design and service.

These conditions create clear opportunities. Florists can highlight Norwegian-grown flowers as a local and sustainable choice, develop subscriptions for homes and offices, and offer premium compositions to a clientele that is willing to pay for quality. Clear comparison of services also helps customers find their way in the market: guides such as Flowers to Norway help consumers in Norway and abroad compare flower delivery options, prices and delivery times across the country.

Looking ahead, the Norwegian flower market should remain stable and value-driven, supported by high purchasing power and strong flower-giving traditions. The florists who succeed will be those who combine artisan know-how, efficient nationwide delivery and a credible local and sustainable offer, in a market where trade policy will continue to shape the balance between domestic production and imports.