China exported US$62.06 million worth of flowers in the first eight months of this year, representing a growth of 34.5 percent on the same period of last year, sources with the General Administration of Customs said on Saturday.

The sources said sales to Japan, the European Union, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN members grew rapidly while those to the United States and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region declines. The six regions accounted for 93.4 percent of China's total flower exports.

Between January and August, China sold US$19.26 million worth of flowers to Japan, up 45 percent year-on-year, and US$16.98 million worth to the EU, up 47.6 percent.

Exports to the ROK stood at US$9.03 million worth in the eight-month period, up 79.8 percent, and those to ASEAN members at US$5.74 million worth, up 71.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the Chinese mainland exported US$3.61 million worth of flowers to Hong Kong, down 29.7 percent, and US$3.33 million worth to the United States, down 22.5 percent.

The sources said China ranked first in the world in terms of flower production, but its exports accounted for only two percent of the world's total.

The low exports are attributable to unstable quality, low growing technology, high transport cost and lack of professionals and technicians, according to the sources.