In this article you will find an update from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), who are involved in the crisis measures surrounding the Coronavirus and informs Royal FloraHolland about the impact of the virus on the export market.
Germany
Monday, April 6, the German Federal Government met again in the so-called Corona Crisis Cabinet. In this cabinet it is proposed that from 10 April 2020 everyone who has been outside Germany for several days and returns to Germany will have to spend two weeks in home quarantine. The state governments have yet to agree to this. Commuters, other professional travellers and hauliers are exempted. Seasonal workers can travel to Germany if they can prove that they meet the quarantine and hygiene requirements on the farm where they work. (Source: Agricultural Attaché Network Ministry of Agriculture, LNV, 06-04-2020)
France
Florists still have to stay closed to the public. Only order delivery and collection is allowed. Interflora France wants to stimulate the resumption of activities in floristry on a voluntary basis. Interflora wants to reduce the aftermath of the crisis in the chain, producers and florists. To do this, Interflora, in collaboration with the Chambre Syndicale des Fleuristes Ile-de-France, is gradually reopening its network of florists on a voluntary basis from 7 April 2020, first in Ile-de-France then further. (Source: JAF-info, 06-04-2020)
UK
B&Q has put a limited selection of garden products online, after initially withdrawing the sale of plants due to the corona virus crisis. The new range of plants and herbs is only available through click and collect. The plants are therefore not delivered at home but can be picked up at a shop. (Source: The Sun, 06-04-2020)
Ornamental horticulture businesses report their dissatisfaction with the support provided by insurer NFU Mutual (affiliated with the National Farmers' Union). Holders of a policy under the 'Business Interruption Insurance' are told that the consequences of the coronavirus are not covered. (Source: Agricultural Attaché Network Ministry of Agriculture, LNV, 07-04-2020)
Belgium
Flemish ornamental growers are very dissatisfied with the fact that with the closure of garden centres and flower shops, their flowers and plants do not reach the consumer. Now that they are facing the busiest period of the year and only have a few months to sell their flowers and plants, which are often grown for a whole year, many sales channels remain pot-tight. The sector therefore wants to use a protest campaign to make it clear to the government that it is five after twelve. (Source: AVBS, 07-04-2020)
Colombia
Because of the corona crisis, the floriculture sector operates at 25% of its working capacity. The sector cannot completely stop its activities because they have to keep crops alive in order to be able to produce later, when exports resume. The president of Asocolflores (the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters) stated: "Today, flowers are exported to a lesser extent by air and sea to the largest market in the United States. We continue to export to Japan and South Korea, a little to Canada and sporadically Europe". (Source: Agricultural Attaché Network Ministry of Agriculture, LNV, 04-04-2020)
Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Abe announced on Monday an emergency package of 915 billion euros, or one fifth of Japan's national income. In addition, a state of emergency was declared for four weeks for Tokyo, Osaka, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo and Fukuoka prefecture. The measure includes the closure of pubs and shopping malls. The trains will run and the supermarkets will remain open, although some shops will close sooner. Fresh meat, vegetables and flowers will be available. (Source: Agricultural Attaché Network Ministry of Agriculture, LNV, 07-04-2020)
Kenya
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has imposed a three-week ban on movements in and out of Nairobi before the usually busy Easter weekend. In addition to the capital, the announced measure includes the port city of Mombasa and the 'counties' of Kilifi and Kwale. Food transport and other cargo will continue by road, rail and air during the indicated containment period. (Source: Aljazeera, 06-04-2020)
Austria
Austria will relax its rules on trade and services from 14 April 2020.
From 14 April 2020, small traders and craftsmen (up to 400 square metres of retail space) will be able to welcome customers again and do-it-yourself megastores with garden centres will also open, regardless of the size of the retail space. From May onwards, all shops and hairdressers should be able to reopen. In principle, customers and employees should wear masks and regular disinfection should be ensured. In addition, only one customer per 20 square meters is allowed. In order to guarantee this, access controls must be in place. (Source: Österreichische Rundfunk (ORF), 06-04-2020)
Russia
President Vladimir Putin has announced an extension of the general quarantine measures (a mandatory 'holiday' for all paid workers) until 30 April, after the country recorded a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases. Many employers are in trouble because they are the ones who have to continue paying wages. The support measures announced by the government are too limited for many firms (especially SMEs). In a televised speech, he added that he would delegate decision-making powers on anti-coronavirus measures to the regional authorities, given the regional differences in infection rates. A plan is under preparation whereby all Muscovites will have to apply for a QR code in order to be able to leave their place of quarantine. This system was supposed to be operational by 3 or 4 April 2020 but was postponed. In Nizhny Novgorod this system was introduced. (Source: Moscow Times, 05-04-2020)
United States
The floriculture sector is also suffering in the US. The American cut flower industry is worth US$ 1.3 billion, with most of the income coming from imported flowers, mainly from Colombia. California accounts for three quarters of national cut flower production and has seen sales drop by 85% in recent weeks. Many supermarkets in the U.S. have focused initially on the products where the first priority was, including long-life products, toilet paper and fresh fruits and vegetables. Flower orders were therefore stopped first. After that, conferences were suspended and marriages postponed. The California Cut Flower Commission indicates that the survival of a number of companies will be uncertain. California has 225 cut flower and cut green businesses. (Source: Agricultural Attaché Network Ministry of Agriculture, LNV, 07-04-2020)
Source: Royal FloraHolland