The Netherlands exported cut flowers and plants to the value of €3.2bn in the first six months of this year, a 3% rise on 2015, export organisation VGB said on Monday.

Much of the rise was due to growers raising their prices rather than increased margins, the organisation said.

Germany remains the most important export market, followed by Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. Exports to Belgium rose the most, at just under 10%.

However, exports to Russia continue to decline and are now down 32% on a year ago, thanks to the knock-on effect of the boycott, the VGB said. A year ago, Russia accounted for 5% of total exports but this has now fallen to 2%.