Relying on estimates shared by importers and growers, Gijs Laan, CNB representative specialising in peonies, estimates that the Chinese are buying at least 40%, perhaps even half, of all Dutch peony cuttings. Laan was one of the speakers at the Peony Meeting of the CNB cooperative in its auction hall in Bovenkarspel on Thursday 20 November.
A presentation prepared by Tricia van der Borg of Biobulb made it clear that China imported two million cuttings from the Netherlands in 2024. The estimate for this year was double that number. As a commercial agent, Van der Borg has extensive knowledge of the Chinese market, but she was forced to cancel at the last minute due to personal circumstances.
Standing in for her, CNB representative Gijs Laan guided the attendees through her extensive PowerPoint presentation. It stated that the increased import of peony cuttings can be explained by relaxed regulations on land use and more accessible bank loans, while forecasting a significant decline in import demand for 2026 due to China's rapidly increasing domestic peony production.
