Kazakhstan imports $154 million worth of flowers a year

263.6 million flowers -- 20 thousand tons -- totally worth over $154 million were imported to Kazakhstan from abroad in 2013, Tengrinews reports citing the Customs Control Committee of the Finance Ministry of Kazakhstan. Roses are the most popular flowers in Kazakhstan. Around 53 million roses -- 3,500 tons -- totally worth $29 million were delivered to Kazakhstan in 2013. Roses are mostly supplied to Kazakhstan from Germany, Kenya, China, Columbia, Netherlands, Ecuador and Ethiopia. Chrysanths, carnations and orchids are also popular in Kazakhstan. They are delieverd from Israel, Spain, Italy, Columbia, Turkey, Thailand, France, Zimbabwe, China and Belgium. A total of over 23 million flowers - 2,000 tons - worth $23.5 million, including 4.7 million of roses worth $5 million, were delivered to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in 2013. By Assemgul Kassenova