The Elite Group

What The Elite Group does

The Elite Group is a privately held, vertically integrated global producer and distributor of perishable goods, with the flower trade as its anchor business and fresh produce as a growing adjacent line. Founded in 1991 in Colombia as Elite Flower with 4 hectares of land, the group has grown to 2,000 hectares of farmland, 35+ business units, and approximately 42,000 employees across 7 countries — Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe — and in 2021 consolidated under the Elite Group brand to become the largest producer and distributor of flowers in the world. The Miami office functions as the US regional headquarters, while Bogotá and Quito serve as the principal flower-production hubs and Amsterdam as the European operations hub; the US distribution chain includes 42 warehouses.

The group's operating model spans the full perishable-goods value chain through wholly owned subsidiaries: Elite Flower and Elite Growers (cultivation), Elite Produce (fresh produce), Elite Distributors and Elite Logistics (cold-chain distribution and transport), Elite Automated (analytics and automation), and APEX, Traze, and Elite Services (strategic and operational support). Technology assets deployed in operations include predictive analytics for demand forecasting, automated distribution systems that materially reduce wastage, in-house biological-agent labs producing soil treatments that reduce chemical inputs, and on-site water treatment facilities converting rainwater into potable water at the farms.

The company monetizes through B2B sale and distribution of flowers and produce to global retailers, wholesalers, and distributors via direct enterprise relationships; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. ESG positioning is a stated strategic pillar: the company has committed to a 100% sustainable supply chain by 2026 across five pillars (carbon footprint, circularity, biodiversity and land management, responsible water use, fair wages), partnered with Kuehne+Nagel on sustainable aviation fuel, is a Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) partner, and operates the Fernando Borrero Caicedo Foundation (founded February 2000) for community programs. No revenue, funding, ownership, or cap-table figures are publicly disclosed; the company appears to have grown entirely organically under founder-family leadership.

Name

The Elite Group

Legal name

The Elite Group

Website

https://theelitegroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Elite Group is a privately held, vertically integrated producer and distributor of flowers and fresh produce, operating 2,000 hectares and 35+ business units across 7 countries and serving B2B retailers and distributors through in-house farms, logistics, and distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Cut Flowers and Produce

NAICS

Floriculture Production (111422), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113), Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Greenhouse Floriculture (Cut Flowers) (AFAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Fresh cut flowers
• Perishable goods distribution
• Sustainable agriculture
• Flower farm operations
• Produce supply chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Perishable Goods Production and Distribution: Production and global distribution of perishable goods including flowers and produce. The company operates flower farms, fruit orchards, and distribution networks across multiple countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Elite Group produces and globally distributes perishable goods, principally fresh cut flowers and produce, through vertically integrated operations spanning approximately 2,000 hectares of farmland in seven countries (Ecuador, Colombia, Kenya, Canada, the United States, England, and Europe). It is the world's largest producer and distributor of flowers, operating 35+ business units covering flower farms, fruit orchards, distribution networks, and ancillary service companies for retailers, wholesalers, and distributors worldwide.

Product overview

The Elite Group operates as a diversified conglomerate in the perishable goods industry, managing the full value chain from production to distribution. The portfolio consists of multiple business units: Elite Flower (the founding brand and world's largest flower producer), Elite Produce (fresh produce operations), and Elite Growers (agricultural cultivation), supported by distribution networks (Elite Distributors) and strategic service companies including Elite Logistics (logistics and transportation), Elite Automated (automation and analytics tools), APEX, Traze, and Elite Services. The group manages approximately 2,000 hectares of land across Colombia, Ecuador, Africa, Canada, USA, and Europe, with 42,000 employees and distribution reaching markets in the Americas, UK, and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elite Flower The group's founding and flagship brand, operating large-scale flower farms (500+ hectares in Colombia, operations in Ecuador) that produce fresh cut flowers for global retail and wholesale customers.
• Elite Produce Fresh produce growing and distribution division representing the group's expansion beyond flowers into the broader perishable goods market, serving global retail and wholesale buyers.
• Elite Growers Agricultural growing operations responsible for cultivating flowers and produce across the group's farm holdings.
• Elite Distributors Distribution network handling delivery of perishable goods across the group's global footprint, including 42 warehouses across the United States.
• Elite Logistics In-house logistics service company providing transportation and distribution capabilities for perishable goods, including integration of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sea freight options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% reduction in CO2 emissions using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fernando Borrero Caicedo FoundationcoreOthers · 1 February 2000Internal foundation dedicated to enhancing quality of life for employees and communities. Offers educational programs, health promotion, housing assistance, counseling services, and community engagement aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Kuehne+NagelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions in logistics. Kuehne+Nagel Latam Cargo and Elite Group purchased SAF together to reduce emissions during Mother's Day transportation period. SAF emits close to 80% less CO2 during flights.
• Local Conservation AgenciesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local agencies for biodiversity protection and environmental conservation efforts.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Florensis: European-based breeder and producer of young ornamental plants and cut flowers with production in Africa and Europe. Comparable as a vertically integrated floriculture producer competing in the same global supply chain.
• Dümmen Orange: Global breeder and producer of cut flowers, potted plants, and bedding plants with production in Africa and Latin America. Directly comparable to Elite Group's Elite Flower division as one of the largest floriculture producers worldwide.
• Royal FloraHolland: World's largest flower auction and distribution cooperative based in the Netherlands, handling the majority of global cut flower trade. Comparable as a flower distribution platform serving the same B2B retail customers Elite Group supplies.
• Ball Horticultural Company: Major global breeder, producer, and distributor of ornamental flowers and plants with operations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Comparable in floriculture production scale and global distribution reach.
• Selecta one: European breeder and producer of ornamental plants and cut flowers with production in Africa and Latin America. Direct competitor in floriculture breeding, propagation, and global distribution.
• Karen Roses: One of the largest rose growers in Kenya producing premium cut roses for European and global markets. Comparable as a major African-based floriculture producer competing in the same cut-flower value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Dole plc: One of the world's largest producers and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables with global operations. Comparable to Elite Produce division as a vertically integrated fresh produce supplier serving global retailers.
• Finlays: UK-headquartered producer and supplier of tea, flowers (via Finlays Flowers), and produce with operations in Kenya and Latin America. Comparable as a vertically integrated perishable goods producer in the same geographies as Elite Group.
• Syngenta Flowers: Division of Syngenta (now part of ChemChina) producing flower seeds, cuttings, and varieties globally. Comparable as a major floriculture input provider; broader crop protection parent makes it an incumbent rather than direct peer.

Regional players

• Sun Valley Floral Farms: US-based cut flower grower and distributor focused on the North American market. Comparable as a floriculture producer-distributor but with a primarily US footprint rather than Elite's global production base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theelitegroupcom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Elite Group