• A tourist looks at a flower in China's International Horticulture Exhibition in Kunming, capital of southwest Yunnan Province.

A tourist looks at a flower in China's International Horticulture Exhibition in Kunming, capital of southwest Yunnan Province. (Photo : Reuters)

Shanghai City is set to host the country’s largest horticultural trade fair, dubbed “17th Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai,” organized by the China Flowers Association in cooperation with Messe Essen.

Organizers said that the event will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, from April 22-24, where more than 20,000 guest and visitors are expected to come.

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According to a news release, 413 companies from 24 nations will participate in the trade fair, where they are expected to display their newest innovations and services for floristry, ornamental plants and horticultural technology.

In addition to this, more than 450 exhibitors have confirmed to join and represent their countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, among others.

The Shanghai expo will also feature various educational seminars on horticulture and agriculture as well as floral design shows to be hosted by international florists. A sightseeing tour is also offered where visitors can take a look and learn about Chinese horticulture.

Horticulture has become a growing business in China as the market for horticulture and landscape gardening continues to grow by about 20 percent every year. The demand for ornamental plants has increased as several urban centers undertake greening projects.

In addition to this, people have also shown greater interest in modern horticulture and technology as well as environment-friendly biotechnology programs which has led to the development of new plant breeds. The flower business is also extremely popular in cities.

"China's plant and flower industry is booming and, due to the cooperation between competent partners, Hortiflorexpo IPM offers the ideal setting in order to reach this growing market," Egon Galinnis, managing director of Messe Essen, one of the expo organizers, was quoted as saying.