Singapore’s plant trade thrives but rising costs, market saturation threaten businesses

NESTLED in the heart of Jurong East is World Farm Nursery. Rows of plants stretch across 8,000 square metres of land, from potted succulents to houseplants with glossy green leaves. Various flowering plants in vivid reds, pinks and yellows are bursts of colour in the space.

Though it is a weekday afternoon, the occasional shopper can be seen browsing the nursery, adding some activity to the otherwise peaceful setting.

World Farm is one of 30 nurseries in Singapore that is accredited under the National Parks Board’s (NParks) Nursery Accreditation Scheme as at January this year. Launched in 2012, the scheme provides a benchmark for the operating standards of individual nurseries, with the long-term goal of developing and maintaining productive nurseries.