Dutch flower and plant exports set to reach €5.4bn this year

Dutch flower firms are likely to have exported flowers and plants worth €5.4bn to the rest of the world in 2014, equalling the record set in 2012.

Sector association VGB said exports had reached €5bn by the end of November, up 3% on last year. Total exports were down 2% in 2013.

The VGB said it is optimistic about 2015 but remains concerned about the situation in Russia, where sales have fallen 10%. Sales in Belgium were also down fractionally but rose in France (9.5%), Switzerland (12.7%) and Poland (15.1%).

Meanwhile, the Dutch government has set aside up to €100m to help the fruit and vegetable sector deal with the impact of the Russian boycott. The cash comes in the form of credit guarantees which will enable companies to continue borrowing despite the impact of the lost sales.