Royal FloraHolland is positive about the package of support measures announced by the cabinet last Tuesday. This package is not sufficient to help growers and trading companies through the crisis. That is why Royal FloraHolland is pleading for the establishment of an emergency fund for the floriculture industry. This emergency fund is necessary to safeguard the more than 6 billion euros in floriculture exports.
The Dutch horticulture sector has been hit exceptionally hard by the corona crisis. The survival of 7000 family businesses, both growers and traders, is at stake. Royal FloraHolland is working hard on emergency solutions to keep the floriculture sector afloat. To this end, talks are being held with the government, politicians and the banks. Royal FloraHolland does this in close cooperation with advocates in the floriculture sector. The interests of the cooperative's international members are also taken into account. There is contact with the sector organisations in Ethiopia and Kenya and consultation with the governments on emergency solutions.
The Dutch government's support package can help growers and also trading companies in urgent financial difficulties in these difficult times. The guarantee to banks will be greatly expanded. As a result, banks will be able to grant emergency loans to companies at reduced risk. Royal FloraHolland is calling on the banks not to claim the member loan from Royal FloraHolland when granting credit.
Royal FloraHolland is acting to protect business continuity in the short and long term. Various measures have been taken to this end. Costs are being reduced. In the coming period, virtually no use will be made of temporary staff or temporary hired staff. Even greater attention will be paid to costs and investments in the coming period.
In a video message addressed to the sector, Royal FloraHolland CEO Steven van Schilfgaarde indicates today that he has confidence in the future: "We are doing everything we can to keep the floriculture sector afloat and to support growers and buyers in these difficult times. We have flourished as a sector because of our close cooperation. This week we have had to take measures that we have never taken before. And we'd rather not take them either. That hurts everyone, including us. Nevertheless, I have every confidence that we will recover together. It won't be easy, but we will succeed."
Source: Royal FloraHolland