US imports of cut roses have increased steadily over the last two decades, from Jess than 1 million stems in 1970 to a record 314 million stems in 1988. The three commercially most important types are the sweethearts or miniatures, the, intermediates and the hybrid tea roses. Almost all import are of the hybrid tea type. In 1988, more than 87 percent of US imports of cut roses entered through Miami followed by Houston and New York. In 1990, 74 percent of all imported roses orginated in Colombia. Prices of cut roses vary according to their physical characteristics e.g. _lenglh, freshness and colour, as well as supply and demand. ·sA can only export cut flowers via SAA to New York for likely sale on the New York Flower Wholesale Market. The single strongest point in selling roses is quality. Even in the worse case scenario where SA roses will still fetch prices equivalent to that of Columbian roses, the lowest on the market. The profit margin appears to be sufficient.