Oct 16, 2023 at 4:32 PM Update: 2 hours ago
The Dutch flower industry is struggling with declining exports, mainly because consumers abroad have less money left over for flowers. The war situation in Israel does not help for the current quarter.
The export of flowers and plants to France and the United Kingdom fell the most, according to figures from Floridata for the first three quarters of 2023. “Consumers have much less to spend there due to inflation and economic decline,” says Matthijs Mesken, director of the Association of Wholesalers in Flower Nursery Products.
“If the economy is not doing well, a flower or plant is more likely to be left off the shopping list,” says Mesken. Exports to the United Kingdom fell by 8 percent. Exports to France were even 9.7 percent lower.
The entire export of flowers amounted to 3.2 billion euros, a decrease of 5 percent. Plants showed a shrinkage of 3 percent at 2.1 billion euros. “There has also been less production,” says Mesken. This is partly due to the increased costs of personnel, energy and transport over the past year and a half.
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Situation in Israel affects floriculture
The situation in Israel also affects the floriculture sector. There are more than two hundred growers in Israel who normally sell their flowers and plants to Dutch traders, according to Mesken. That trade can now no longer be flown to the Netherlands.
These are products that together are worth around 15 million euros per year. “In terms of amount, it does not count in the big picture of trade,” says Mesken. He also believes that it is “completely irrelevant to talk about flowers and plants in such times”.
Image: ANP
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2023-10-16 14:32:14
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