site.btaDutch Flower Exports Grow Thanks to Eastern Europe

Exports of flowers and other plants from the Netherlands ended the first half of the year with a value of EUR 4.1 billion, an increase of 2.5%, reported the Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products (VGB), citing export statistics from Floridata.

Exports of flowers rose by 5% to EUR 2.5 billion, but for plants they fell by 1% to EUR 1.6 billion. "Sales in Eastern European countries seem to be the growth driver for our sector," says the association's director Matthijs Mesken. He says retailers can benefit from this boost, as until last year the value of flower and plant exports had shrunk for the seventh consecutive quarter.

"The differences in growth between the flower and plant segment as well as wholesale and retail are large. For example, sales to supermarkets increased by 9%. This has not happened to this extent since the coronavirus," Mesken notes.

Wet weather conditions are reducing demand for plants. Flower supplies from Africa and summer flowers from the Netherlands have also suffered from the wet weather.

The Association hopes to reach an agreement with the new British government so that exports of flowers and plants to the UK can return to normal after the difficulties caused by Brexit. "In the Netherlands it is important that the VAT rate on flowers and plants remains low. Migrant workers and housing for them is also crucial for our sector. These are uncertain times and we have to deal with that," Mesken adds.