March 16, 2009 – The final total of Dutch exports of floricultural products were valued at 6.4 billion euros in 2008.
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| Photo Courtesy Flower Council of Holland |
The final total of Dutch exports of floricultural products were valued at 6.4 billion euro in 2008. This was a drop of 2.8% which was cushioned to some extent by the rapid rise in exports of flowers and plants to Eastern European countries, specifically Poland and Russia.
Exports of cut flowers came under the heaviest pressure and showed a drop of almost 4%. The biggest losses were reported in the United Kingdom and the United States. Exports of flowers to these two countries showed a drop of 17% and 19%, respectively. One of the reasons behind the drop lies in the dwindling exchange rates of the pound sterling and the US dollar.
Exports of cut flowers to Poland showed considerable growth of 22%. This rise has pushed the country into the Top Ten export countries for the very first time. Russia consolidated its 5th position with a rise in exports of 16%.
Poland showed a huge increase of no less than 49% in imports of pot plants, while the total exports of pot plants remained almost constant in 2008. The huge growth of exports to Poland cancels out the disappointing figures of the United Kingdom (-20%) and Spain (-13%). Belgium has shown an increase of more than 10% for the second year in succession. At 12%, the rise in countries outside the Top Ten is also worth mentioning. Virtually all the countries in Eastern Europe contributed to this growth, led by Russia and Czech Republic.
Cut flowers
In the cut flower Top 10, Anthurium (-15%), Freesia (-10%) and Chrysanthemum (spray) (-9%) all showed a considerable downturns. Tulipa and Hippeastrum showed growth of 9% and 4%, respectively. The rose continues to hold the Number 1 spot with auction sales of more than the numbers two to five put together – Chrysanthemum (spray), Tulipa, Lilium and Gerbera).
Potted and garden plants
The big winner in the pot plant Top 10 is Phalaenopsis with total sales growth at the Dutch auctions of more than than 31%. Other rising stars include newcomer Cyclamen (15%), Rosa (14%) and Anthurium (11%).
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