The Netherlands
The share of cut flowers exclusively grown in the Netherlands is probably over 40% of the total world trade. Many flowers are imported to be exported again. More than a decade ago the share of the world trade was still 63% and the share of cut flowers in total lay around 55%. Last year, the Netherlands exported cut flowers for a value of EUR 3,52 billion (Source: CBS, HS code 0603). In 2007, this was EUR 3,67 billion. Almost 60% of the export is directed to Germany, the United Kingdom and France.
Colombia
Colombia is the world's second exporter of cut flowers. Last year it exported cut flowers for a value of EUR 1.03 billion. The share of Colombia in the world trade has been about 14% for years. Three quarters of the export is aimed at the United States. Other important consumers are Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands. The export to the Netherlands grows annually and last year reached a value of EUR 22 million.
Ecuador
Ecuador is the world's third exporter of cut flowers. In 2014 it exported cut flowers for a value of EUR 600 million. 40 % of its export is aimed at the United States, its most important purchaser. Russia is by far the second consumer with a export value of EUR 130 million. To the Netherlands the export amounts to EUR 53 million.
Kenya
Kenya is number four on the list of exporting countries of cut flowers. Last year the total value of cut flowers imported from Kenya was EUR 525 million. About half of its flowers goes to the Netherlands. The United Kingdom is its second consumer. The export to both countries is falling. After a fast rise, the (direct) export of Kenyan cut flowers to Russia is stabilizing. The (direct) deliveries to Germany also look stable. We still see growth in the export to Australia and Norway.
Ethiopia
Belgium is indeed number five on the list of exporting countries but this is largely due to the re-export of cut flowers from Ethiopia to the Netherlands. Ethiopia is in fact number five on the list. Last year it exported to a value of EUR 131 million. The import from Ethiopia of all countries added amounted to EUR 190 million in 2014. Belgium seems the most important consumer with an import value of EUR 120 million in 2014. A decade ago the export was not very substantial. In the first eight months of this year the export (in value) has grown by a third. According to Ethiopian statistics, approximately 85 % of the export of cut flowers is aimed at the Netherlands. Important consumers of Ethiopian cut flowers are Saudi Arabia, Norway and the United Arab Emirates.
Innumerable small ones.
There are a large number of countries exporting cut flowers. Further away are Malaysia (EUR 74 million), China (66), Thailand (52) and India (36). The export from these countries is almost entirely aimed at there own region. Israel (64) exports in particular to Western Europe, the United States and Russia. Within the EU countries Germany (69) and Italy (65) are export countries of some meaning. The export is predominately aimed at EU-countries and Switzerland.
For more information:
Fruit & Vegetable Facts
Jan Kees Boon
+31 6 54 687 684
www.fruitandvegetablefacts.com
fruitvegfacts@gmail.com
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