Dutch wholesale plant and flower trade shows signs of ‘cautious’ recovery

AALSMEER, Netherlands: The Dutch wholesale supplier of flowers and plants see hopeful signs of recovery after a disastrous start to the early spring sales season, according to a survey of VGB, the Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products, based on new export statistics of market analyst Floridata.

The export of flowers and plants contracted by eight per cent in May to €671 million. A rebound in plant sales appears to be underway with growth in export sales of seven per cent, while cut flowers lagged with shrinkage of 19 per cent.

High air freight costs are an obstacle to the import of cut flowers from Africa and South America. The cautious recovery offers prospects for the coming months’, says VGB director Matthijs Mesken. In March (-32 per cent) and April (-38 per cent), the trade recorded sharply lower export sales.

Watch the FloraFlits video for more information on the impact of the corona crisis on (1) export value per country (2) lost export value up to and including May and (3) outstanding items with foreign buyers. FloraFlits is a production of VGB and Floridata.