Dutch tulip exports fall due to warm weather and political challenges

Dutch wholesalers of flowers and plants have sold fewer tulips abroad in the past six months compared to the previous year, the Association of Wholesale Traders in Horticultural Products (VGB) reported. Sales of plants have also been disappointing recently due to the high temperatures in Europe.

The flower industry sold 6 percent fewer cut flowers abroad in the first six months of this year compared to last year, while plant exports increased slightly by 1 percent. However, the total value of flower and plant exports rose by 2.7 percent to nearly 4.2 billion euros.

“Especially the tulip volumes lag behind those of last year,” VGB director Matthijs Mesken explained. There were far fewer tulips, which he attributes to the poor tulip bulb harvest last year.

He adds that sales of plants have also been "hindered by the warm weather in Europe in recent weeks, causing plants to remain on garden center shelves for longer."

The sector is also facing various challenges, according to the director. The political situation in the Netherlands remains, in the VGB’s view, “unstable and indecisive,” and entrepreneurs are becoming frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding energy policy and labor migration.

According to the industry, the threat of U.S. import tariffs mainly affects specialized companies. Only 3 percent of flower and plant exports go to the United States.

The organization also expressed concerns about the sector’s image due to the use of pesticides. “We know we need to become more sustainable, and we are working hard on that,” Mesken said.