Sales of Dutch cut flowers and plants to Poland soared by 27% year-on-year in the first six months of 2017, according to latest figures from the sector organisation VGB.

The eastern European nation is now the fifth largest market for Dutch flowers, overtaking Belgium. Cash amounts were not provided.

The VGB attributed the growth in sales to the recovering economy and falling unemployment in Poland, website Nu.nl reported. In addition, consumer confidence in Poland was ‘vigourous’ and the market there could absorb further sales in the future.

Dutch flower sales in Britain and France were flat. Good weather cut into exports to France, while the weakness of the pound against the euro affected sales to the UK, VGB said.

The total export of flowers and plants was worth €3.4bn in the first half of the year, a 6.5% increase over the 2016 period. The second quarter of 2017 was the 13th consecutive period of higher export sales.

The VGB said exporters were benefiting from increased demand and higher prices. It added improved marketing and logistics made for a solid base for expanded export sales.