Dutch flower and plant exports will close the first three quarters of 2022 with an export value of 5.6 billion euros: a minus of 2%. This was announced by the VGB (Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products) based on Floridata export statistics. Cut flower exports did better with a 1% plus to 3.4 billion euros than plants with a 5% contraction to 2.2 billion euros.
"Over the last few months, exports of flowers and plants have been shrinking gradually," concludes Matthijs Mesken, director of the VGB. Exports to the biggest sales countries, Germany, the UK, and France, show a contraction. A small plus was still recorded for Poland and Italy. "Our sector is in trouble because of the energy crisis, forcing growers to leave their greenhouses partly or empty. This will lead to a decline and impoverishment in the supply of flowers and plants in the coming period."
Trading companies are also facing sharply rising energy and fuel costs. "Together with other horticultural organizations, we are pleading for support from the government in the form of an SME scheme to give entrepreneurs perspective. We would like consumers to continue enjoying our high-quality flowers and plants."
Source: Floridata/VGB