FEPEX Spain sees flower and plant export blooming in the first four months of 2021

MADRID, Spain: Spanish living plant and fresh-cut flowers exports in the first four months of 2021 amounted to €241.7 million, up 48 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to Spanish Customs Administration and Special Taxes data.

In processing the data, industry body Federación Española de Asociaciones de Productores Exportadores de Frutas, Hortalizas, Flores y Plantas Vivas (FEPEX) found that living plants Made in Spain continue be the most notable export product. Export of what in Spanish is known as planta viva rose by 46 per cent, compared to the first four months of 2020, representing a value of €198.6 million.

Spanish grown cut flowers are also having their day with exports rising by 43 per cent compared to the same period last year, representing a value of €20 million

Spanish exports of outdoor plants grew to €103.3 million in the first four months of 2021 – a rise of 56 per cent in the same period in 2020. Exports of houseplant also proved to be a strong sector, showing growth of 46 per cent to €45.1 million. Spanish grown trees and shrubs also performed well, growing 33 per cent to €31.7 million.

In terms of cut flower exports, FEPEX reports a 111 per cent rise in carnation export sales to €7.2 million. Spanish grown roses were the worst-performing sector showing a 17 per cent decrease to €4.5 million.

One of the fastest-growing sectors is cut foliage which saw its export sales rising by 115 per cent to  €10 million. Export sales of Spanish grown bulbs grew to €3.9 million, a rise of 90 per cent on the same period in 2020.

FEPEX notes that March and April 2021 show has been exceptionally good with growth in export sales of 81 per cent and 64 per cent respectively. While it is quick to add that comparison with the spring of 2020 when governments forced retail sales outlets to temporarily shut their doors as part of a worldwide lockdown. So, this year record growth should also be seen in a Covid-19 context with European consumers buying significantly fewer flowers and plants in March and April 2020.