"Russians probably more affected by possible boycott than the Dutch"

A boycott of Dutch flowers will affect Russia more than the Netherlands. This was stated by Robert Roodenburg, director of VGB. "The Dutch combination between assortment and logistics is unique." Also people in the trade do not think this boycott will be implemented. "You always have to take Russian threats seriously, but the economical damage of this possible boycott would be large," says flower trader and consultant Marco Stolze.

For the third time now, Russia is threatening with a boycott of flowers. According to Roodenburg, this is affecting the trade. "Everything that has an effect on the usual, free trade creates unrest, which makes everyone nervous." Marco Stolze of MS Sales & Consultancy, has doubts about the official reason (the story of the pests in the flowers). "It is always possible that something is coming with a shipment, but it almost never happens." He considers this possible boycott more as a topic of negotiation, a more political reason.

Russian damage
According to Roodenburg and Stoze, the chance this ban will be implemented is slim. Roodenburg: “The Russians love flowers and they have built up a strong market over the last years. They will not give up this market easily because they make a lot of money with it. If the sector collapses they will probably suffer more than us, the Dutch."