JD.com, (also known as JINGDONG), China’s largest retailer by revenue, has announced the import of one million tulips from the Netherlands to meet the booming demand for fresh flowers in China, especially during peak festive seasons. This marks the largest-ever direct air shipment of Dutch tulips by any company to China. By leveraging its e-commerce expertise, offline channels and nationwide cold chain logistics network, JD.com will ensure seamless delivery to customers. Customers purchasing tulips on JD.com will also have the chance to win a trip for two to the Netherlands.

On February 27, the shipment of fresh-cut tulips from the FloraHolland auction center in Aalsmeer, the world’s largest and busiest floral marketplace, arrived in Guangzhou, China. The tulips then will be stored and nurtured at a dedicated floral warehouse, operated by JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics).

The Netherlands is the world’s largest producer and exporter of flowers, which helps supply China’s expanding flower retail market, with fresh flowers becoming a more frequent choice among consumers. According to China Flower Association, in 2023, China’s flower retail market reached 216.58 billion yuan (about €28.41 million), with online sales accounting for more than 50% of the total market volume. The growth of e-commerce and cold chain logistics has further fueled the demand of imported flowers in China. Data from the General Administration of Customs shows China’s flower imports reached €260 million in 2023, from 57 countries and regions, with the Netherlands being the largest supplier with more than 60% of the total. Reflecting this trend, JD.com saw tulip sales surge 20 times in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Given the perishable nature of fresh flowers, maintaining precise temperature control is critical throughout the supply chain. A JD Logistics executive overseeing the import operation explained that specialized floral packaging was used to protect the tulips, mitigating impacts during transit while ensuring proper airflow and humidity balance within the packaging. Throughout the journey, JD Logistics maintained strict temperature controls between 2-8 ℃, leveraging advanced monitoring technology to ensure the tulips remained in peak condition until they reached consumers.

JD.com is recognized by approximately 600 million customers for its commitment to authenticity, quality and fast delivery. The company’s extensive in-house logistics and delivery networks enables 90% of retail orders to be delivered within 24 hours. Beyond China, its logistics arm, JD Logistics, also operates a robust international supply chain network which includes overseas warehouses and international express delivery service that spans Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America and more, facilitating end-to-end fulfillment capabilities.

(yuchuan.wang@jd.com)