Germany: "Business around V-Day 2021 satisfying despite lockdown, winter"

The market situation at the auction clock was satisfying in the run-up to Valentine's Day until calendar week 5. The auction of indoor products, such as green plants and arrangements, went well with almost normal prices. As many of our specialist trade customers were affected by the nationwide closures as part of the lockdown, there was lower demand for outdoor products in the potted plant segment, such as primroses and bulb plants.

In the cut flower segment, Veiling Rhein-Maas recorded sales growth due to high demand and at the same time high price level. Our customers in North Rhine-Westphalia (DE), Belgium and the Netherlands are still able to sell cut flowers. The demand for cut flowers is strong among end consumers.

Valentine's week
With the onset of winter and the resulting challenges in transport, this situation changed at the beginning of Valentine's week. The demand for cut flowers remained surprisingly stable at a still good price level, while the demand for potted plants from our customers was low. Overall, Valentine's week 2021 at Veiling Rhein-Maas was different from previous years as a result of the Corona pandemic and weather conditions.