WORLD NEWS

NETHERLANDS

Floridata/VGB half-yearly figures confirm sluggish performance by Dutch flower and plant exporters

Shipments of Dutch flower and plant exports had a difficult first half of the year, according to new figures released by the Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products (VGB) and market analyst Floridata.

The latest figures confirmed the sluggish performance of the Dutch in the first half of the year, according to VGB director Matthijs Mesken, who said they showed that the industry was struggling to maintain exports in uncertain times. Overall export revenues remained steady, with Dutch global flower and plant exports worth a record €4.1 billion to the Dutch economy but showing a meagre growth of one per cent. In terms of the total value of exports, cut flowers fared better than plants. After two years of postponed and cancelled weddings and celebratory events, this industry segment is now rebounding. Flower exports grew in the first six months, raising three per cent to €2.5 billion. By contrast, the export of

UNITED KINGDOM

HTA Conference experts share 2030 industry insights

A host of experts, including horticulture industry speakers and British explorer, journalist and TV presenter Simon Reeves are set to share their insights on how the horticultural industry could look by 2030 at the Horticultural Trade Association’s (HTA) annual conference. Horticulture, the Conference will scan the horizon for future trends and present the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s horticulture industry. The conference will explore areas such as the retail revolution, consumer insights, what garden design will look like nationally and globally, and how automation, artificial intelligence and the metaverse could change our world. The 2022 conference takes place at The International Convention Centre, Birmingham, on Wednesday, 14 September. For more information and tickets, visit https://hta.org.uk/ horticulture-the-conference.

plants contracted by three per cent to €1.6billion. More country-specific data show that the total value of flower and plant exports to Poland in the first six months of 2022 amounted to €228 million, 6.1 per cent up to the same period last year. Separate figures for the value of exports in June 2022 show that cut flowers in June were five per cent ahead of the same period last year to €320 million. Meanwhile, plants realised a dramatic 21 per cent drop to €217 million. Altogether, the Dutch global flower and plant exports contracted by seven per cent in June 2022 to €537 million. In a comment on the figures, VGB’s chief executive Matthijs Mesken said the industry’s performance over the past few months has been sluggish. “Shipments to France and Belgium are down on the same period in 2021. Exporters have worker shortages, while transport expenses work through the floral supply chain. Inflation continues to impact consumer spending, and the skyrocketing energy prices create a dark cloud for the industry.” Inflation forces consumers

POLAND

Taking the pulse of Poland’s ornamental horticulture at 29th Green is Life show

The Polish Nurserymen Association and Agencja Promocji Zieleni announce the 29th edition of Green is Life and its satellite Flower Expo Polska show, set to take place between 1-3 September 2022. The organisers have decided that this year’s slogan will be ‘Naturally’.

True to tradition, the Green is Life/Flower Expo Poland show will be staged at Warsaw’s EXPO XXI Warszawa convention centre. The three-day event – with a strong focus on nursery stock – will welcome more than 126 exhibitors from nine countries. The event’s first two days are open to industry professionals only; on the last day, the show is open to the public. One highlight of the show is the Green is Life Novelty Contest. This year, growers have submitted more than 30 new cultivars for evaluation by a panel of expert judges. Contestants will battle it out to win Green is Life’s prestigious gold, silver, or bronze medal. Building on last year’s success is Studio Green is Life which will be back this year. Live streaming from Green is Life allows the event organisers to introduce products and services to a much larger audience. Green is Life’s top-notch educational programme will allow visitors to exchange ideas and research findings. The Knowledge for Trade and Producers seminar on 1 September will look at contemporary business models. The Green City Conference is set for 2 September and targets landscape architects, contractors, and municipal