Europe: Market flooded with peonies

The peony peak is higher than usual this year. Peonies from countries like Italy and France are usually early, but are now later due to the cold weather. In turn, their season is overlapping with that of the Netherlands. The Dutch growers are working overtime to harvest the stems on time. Due to the heat, the peonies are sprouting out of the ground and as a result there is just a small difference between open field and tunnel production (with the former often later than the latter).

Koen Groot of Groot&Groot is experiencing it first-hand. He is based in Andijk, the Netherlands, and grows a broad assortment of peonies, which he supplies to national and international markets. With 7 to 8 ha of plant production and 10 to 11 ha of flower production in locations in the Netherlands, France and Italy, he clearly sees the effect of the concurrence of the circumstances. "Almost all stems are harvested and at the auction, the numbers were extremely high last week. Obviously, this is affecting the price."

The peak can be spread a bit by storing the flowers in the cooler. "Depending on the variety, they can be stored to a maximum of four weeks. Longer is possible, but the quality decreases fast. We are active in the field of peonies for 20 years and as the market has been growing fast, we have a reputation to uphold."

From June 5-8, the Dutch Lily Days are being held. On various locations throughout the Netherlands, companies in the lily sector open their doors. Groot&Groot has been cooperating with De Jong Lelies for a long time (in the field of labor, rental of their locations and more) and De Jong will open its doors. Here Groot&Groot will showcase their own assortment. "We both see a promotional opportunity. We can show our assortment to a broad international public, for their clients a nice addition to their own lily assortment."

For more information:

Koen Groot

Elsenburg 29