Dutch exports of plants and flowers increased slightly in the third quarter of 2025, bringing total export value to EUR 5.7 billion, according to VGB based on export statistics from Floridata. This marks an increase of 2.4% over the same period last year, suggesting that exports, particularly of plants, are recovering.
The export value of flowers for the first three quarters of 2025 amounted to EUR 3.5 billion, representing a one-percent growth. Volume, on the other hand, still lagged behind at -4%, despite slight improvement over the first half of the year, when export volume was 6% lower than in the same period last year.
According to Matthijs Mesken, Director of VGB, trade picked up again in September. ‘After a warm summer, in which sales were somewhat disappointing compared to last year, we are seeing the market recover in September. Consumers continue to buy flowers, but the volumes are smaller. This may mean that bouquets will be getting more expensive or consisting of fewer stems.’ One question that worries traders is whether consumers will continue to buy flowers if they become expensive.
