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【Hot Plants Talk · Asia Flower Expo】Healing Economy Rising: Green Plants Become New Favorites

【Hot Plants Talk · Asia Flower Expo】Healing Economy Rising: Green Plants Become New Favorites

Mid East Info5 days ago
In recent years, the 'Green Plant Fever' has been rapidly sweeping urban life. Ordinary indoor plants have now become the 'secret code' for relieving stress among urban youths, healing modern life's anxiety and exhaustion with their vibrant vitality. Through innovative approaches such as immersive environments, social media virality, paid knowledge sharing, and cross-industry collaborations, the hot plants industry is redefining the relationship between people and plants, creating an energetic new consumer market. Focusing on innovations across the entire hot plant industrial chain and new global opportunities in the green economy, the special exhibition zone — World Tropical Plant Expo 2025, part of the 16th Asia Flower Expo (2025) — is about to open!
The exhibition will comprehensively showcase products from the entire tropical plants industrial chain, including tropical foliage plants, flowers, rare plant species, greenhouse equipment, fertilizers, materials, and maintenance products. It will serve as an integrated international trading platform combining commerce, technological integration, and ecological value conversion for professionals throughout the industry chain. Leveraging the supply-chain advantages and global buyer resources accumulated by the Asia Flower Expo, exhibitors will share the traffic of a 30,000-square-meter exhibition area and resources from multiple forums, attracting over 600 global brands and more than 50,000 professional visitors.
Young People Are Buying 'Healing,' Not Just Plants
According to the Global Wellness Institute, the healing economy is growing at an annual rate of 10% and is expected to reach a market size of 7 trillion USD by 2025. In China, the healing market reached 5.26 billion RMB in 2022, and the broader psychological health services market is projected to exceed 10.4 billion RMB by 2025. Green plants, as part of the healing economy, are shifting from functional consumption to emotional consumption, becoming essential 'emotional regulators' in young people's daily lives.
The hot plants trend began in China around 2019. Although prices have slightly decreased, the market remains highly active, especially among the middle class. For instance, a specialized store, Jiaojiao Plant Supermarket, achieved annual sales exceeding 12 million RMB, with a repurchase rate of 82%, by focusing on product quality and enhanced customer experiences. Increasingly, young people are turning to gardening and plant care to relieve stress, decorate their homes, and even find emotional support.
From 'Selling Plants' to 'Selling Ambience'
Modern hot plant galleries use immersive three-dimensional landscaping (such as rainforest domes, moss platforms, and misting systems) to create photo-friendly, interactive experiences, allowing consumers to step into miniature tropical rainforests. The application of microclimate technology (temperature and humidity controls) ensures the natural growth of plants in urban settings, enhancing authenticity.
Hot plants represent more than a consumer trend; they embody a sustainable living philosophy. Future hot plant galleries will become multifunctional spaces for 'photography, learning, relaxation, and shopping,' serving as green connectors bridging nature with modern civilization.
Asia Flower Expo 2025 — (World Tropical Plants Expo) cordially invites global hot plant brands and warmly welcomes industry elites.
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One-Third Gone: Food Waste Crisis
One-Third Gone: Food Waste Crisis

See - Sada Elbalad

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One-Third Gone: Food Waste Crisis

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In developing countries, food loss also occurs due to poor infrastructure, inadequate storage, and inefficient transportation. This waste not only squanders valuable resources like water, land, and energy but also contributes significantly to global hunger and environmental damage. Global Statistics Globally, about 1.3 billion tons of food—roughly one-third of all food produced for human consumption—is wasted every year, according to the FAO. This massive waste costs the world economy nearly $1 trillion USD annually. It also depletes vital resources, consuming 25% of the world's freshwater and occupying 30% of agricultural land. Shockingly, food waste contributes to 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key driver of climate change. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China and the U.S. While vast amounts of food are going to waste, over 800 million people around the world still go hungry revealing a deep imbalance in global food systems. Consumer Behavior and Food Waste Consumer habits are a major driver of food waste, especially in high-income countries. Many people purchase more food than they need, influenced by marketing tactics, bulk discounts, or poor meal planning. Confusion over date labels—such as mistaking 'best before' for 'use by'—often leads to discarding perfectly safe food. Aesthetic preferences also play a role, as consumers tend to reject fruits and vegetables that look imperfect, even though they are still nutritious. In households, leftovers are frequently ignored, and overcooked meals are thrown away. Additionally, a lack of awareness about proper storage practices causes food to spoil prematurely. 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Cosmetic Standards and Food Waste Strict cosmetic standards in the food industry contribute significantly to global food waste. Retailers and consumers often expect fruits and vegetables to look 'perfect' in size, shape, and color. As a result, produce with minor blemishes, unusual shapes, or slight discoloration is frequently rejected—despite being nutritionally sound and entirely edible. Farmers are sometimes forced to discard large portions of their harvest simply because it doesn't meet visual requirements set by supermarkets. This focus on appearance over quality leads to the unnecessary loss of millions of tons of food every year. Lack of Awareness and Education A significant portion of food waste stems from a general lack of awareness and education among consumers, producers, and businesses. Many people are unaware of proper food storage techniques, portion control, or how to use leftovers creatively. 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Social pressures to provide a full table or meet unrealistic beauty standards for food also contribute to unnecessary waste. Changing these deeply rooted behaviors requires not only awareness but also a cultural shift that redefines respect, generosity, and satisfaction in more sustainable ways. Economic Factors Economic factors significantly contribute to food waste, particularly in wealthier societies where food is relatively cheap and easily accessible. When food costs represent a small portion of a household's budget, people tend to undervalue it and discard it more readily. Businesses may also find it more cost-effective to throw away surplus or unsold items rather than invest in redistribution or storage. In the agricultural sector, crops may be left unharvested if market prices are too low to cover labor and transport costs. Additionally, consumers often fall for bulk discounts and promotions, buying more than they need and ultimately wasting the excess. Addressing these economic drivers requires policy changes, incentives for donation, and consumer education on the real cost of wasted food. Consequences of Food Waste Food waste has profound environmental, humanitarian, and economic impacts. Environmentally, when organic waste decomposes in landfills, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is far more potent than carbon dioxide, contributing significantly to climate change. Additionally, vast amounts of land, water, and energy used to produce this wasted food are squandered. From a humanitarian perspective, while 1 in 9 people globally suffer from hunger, the amount of food wasted each year could feed up to 2 billion people. This wasted food, if properly redistributed, could help combat malnutrition and support vulnerable communities. Economically, food waste causes billions of dollars in losses across the supply chain—from farmers to consumers—and contributes to rising food prices and market instability. Addressing food waste is essential for sustainability, equity, and global food security. Solutions to Food Waste Solving the global food waste crisis requires a multi-level approach involving consumers, businesses, and governments. Supermarkets and restaurants can play a role by donating surplus food, offering smaller portions, and selling imperfect produce. Governments can support these efforts through clear food labeling laws, tax incentives for food donation, and infrastructure improvements like cold storage and better transport systems. Technology also offers innovative solutions—such as apps to track food inventories or share leftovers. Ultimately, reducing food waste depends on changing cultural attitudes, valuing food more deeply, and recognizing its environmental and humanitarian cost. The Role of Individuals in Reducing Food Waste Individuals play a vital role in the fight against food waste through simple yet powerful daily actions. 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Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Finances Strategic Housing Project in Somaliland - Middle East Business News and Information
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Remittances from Egyptians Abroad Surge 70% to $32.8 Billion
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See - Sada Elbalad

time5 days ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

Remittances from Egyptians Abroad Surge 70% to $32.8 Billion

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