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Corona remains the most important theme in horticulture for the time being. The financial results in 2020 were on average better than expected. Nevertheless, we must remain cautious. Many corona measures are still in place in most European countries. This affects the buyers of vegetables, fruit, flowers and plants. What awaits Dutch horticulture? You read it in this update.
Caution is key for greenhouse vegetables in 2021
The year 2020 was a good year for greenhouse vegetable companies. After the crop rotation and with the first products back on the market, everyone is cautiously positive. Four special points stand out. First of all, we see an expansion of the cultivated area for peppers and (lit) cucumbers. In addition, (in-house) production can be affected by virus problems in tomatoes and cucumbers, for example. Third, there is the uncertainty about exports to the United Kingdom (UK). Although this has been going on reasonably to date, there have been some difficulties in transport and customs clearance. And finally the consequences of the corona crisis. Although online sales are still going strong, sales to restaurants, company canteens or events are very poor.
The fruit growing market is looking forward positively
The top fruit was harvested several months ago. Prices for apples of Dutch origin have remained good. Prices for pears were clearly lower.
Strawberries have had a good season. Large sales organizations are offering good prices for spring production in 2021, as they want to be sure of sufficient supply in the coming year. The other products on the soft fruit market (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) show a very varied picture.
Not a crisis, but uncertainty in floriculture
Until mid-December there was good sentiment in the cut flower and pot plant market. After that, important sales markets (florists and garden centers) closed their doors to new measures. Fortunately, a large part of the typical December production (Poinsettia, Helleborus, Ilex, Amaryllis) had already been sold by then.
Prices for cut flowers fell after that, but they were still sold. However, the events and marriage market is still under pressure. The demand for plants has diminished somewhat due to the problems of reaching the end customer. The online sale of plants does offer opportunities.
The online flower market is booming in 2021
Companies such as Bloompost or similar companies have grown enormously during the corona pandemic. Letterbox gifts and letterbox flowers were one of these hyped products in 2020 where people couldn’t visit elderly people at home. Due to the 1.5 meter distance and mouth masks, these products were ideal for home delivery.
Flower bulb cultivation is waiting
There is a lot of uncertainty in the flower bulb sector. This is due to the delayed export of flower bulbs last year and the consequences of corona. Still, the season ended better than we thought six months earlier. For example, exporters had few write-offs on deliveries of bulbs abroad.
The tulip forcing season has started well in 2021. Due to the various store closures, growers are concerned about sales for the coming months. Lily prices seem to have passed the low point in price formation now. But it remains a cautious recovery.
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