For the second consecutive year, Dutch flower and plant exports have experienced a decline, citing the persistent impact of inflation and the ramifications of Brexit, as reported by the wholesalers organization VGB.
According to VGB, cut flower exports have decreased by 5%, amounting to €4.2 billion, while plant exports have seen a 3% drop, reaching €2.6 billion. The organization highlighted the cautious consumer spending influenced by inflation as a contributing factor to the downturn. VGB Director Matthijs Meskin noted, “We sell a luxury product, and consumers are being more careful about spending.”
Brexit has compounded the challenges, particularly affecting sales to the United Kingdom, the second-largest Dutch export market, with a 7% decline. Meskin attributed this decline to the economic struggles in Britain, leading consumers to exhibit reduced willingness to purchase flowers and plants. Additionally, the implementation of more export rules and disease checks has added to the hurdles faced by the industry.
Expressing concern, Meskin emphasized the potential impact of measures to curtail labor migration, stating that such measures would severely affect growers. He emphasized the need for dialogue with the government in The Hague to ensure the continued availability of migrant workers for the industry’s growth and trade, asserting, “Without them, we can’t grow and trade our products.”
