At least 50 Dutch companies at Flowers Expo in Moscow
“Commercial activities in the ornamental sector between Russian Federation and the Netherlands continue to expand. In 2018, the total Dutch export of ornamental products like flower bulbs, pot plants and flowers to Russian market increased over 25 percent and totaled around 250 million Euro,” – said Agricultural Counsellor Meeuwes Brouwer at the opening ceremony of Flowers Expo in Moscow on September 10.
The Flowers Expo proves to be an excellent platform to bring business partners together and to share knowledge and experience. So, at least 50 Dutch companies came to Moscow to participate in one of the most colorful exhibitions to introduce their “novities” of new varieties of flowers and plants to the Russian market.
Cut Flowers Market
Russia is the world's largest consumer of cut flowers. Experts include it in the top six import countries after the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain and France. According to www.flowers-expo.ru, the real capacity of the Russian flower market continues to be estimated by analysts at $ 40 billion.
According to the “Cut Flowers Market Analysis in Russia”, prepared by BusinesStat in 2019, in 2014-2018 imports of cut flowers to the Russian market grew by 3.3% from 1.34 to 1.38 billion pcs. The dynamics showed a fall in 2015-2016 and an increase in 2017-2018. The reduction in imports was primarily influenced by the decline of the import of flowers from the Netherlands in 2015, as well as a decrease in supplies from Ecuador, Colombia and the embargo on Turkish carnations in 2016. Also, the devaluation of the ruble and a decrease in real incomes of Russians led to a decrease in demand for flowers which affected the decrease in imports.
Roses traditionally occupy a predominant share in the structure of Russian imports of cut flowers. In 2018, they accounted for 59.8% of import. Chrysanthemums, which occupied the second place in terms of import volume in 2018, accounted for 18.9% of foreign flower deliveries. The share of carnations in imports was 13.5%, the share of lilies did not reach 1.0% of the total supply, and the share of orchids was about 0.3%. Other types of flowers in 2018 accounted for 6.7% of imports.
In 2019-2023, according to BusinesStat forecasts, imports of cut flowers to Russia will grow by 0.5-4.4% per year and will reach 1.53 billion units by the end of the period.
Flower Bulb Market
According to the “Analysis of the flower bulb market in Russia”, prepared by BusinesStat in 2019, in 2014-2018 their import into the country grew by 1.7%: from 448.7 to 456.2 million units. In 2015, it showed a decrease of 10.3% compared to the previous year. The reduction in foreign supplies was caused by a decrease in the real incomes of Russians against the background of high inflation in the country and the devaluation of the ruble, which led to a decrease in demand for these products. In 2016-2018, imports of products grew.
The structure of natural imports of flower bulbs by species over the past five years has maintained relative stability. Tulip bulbs traditionally have a predominant share in the structure of Russian imports. In 2014-2018, the share of this type of product in imports ranged from 59.1% in 2018 to 65.5% in 2016. The share of gladioli bulbs accounted for from 9.8% in 2017 to 15.9% of foreign flower deliveries. in 2018, the share of daffodil bulbs in imports ranged from 2.6% in 2018 to 1.8% in 2016; the share of hyacinth bulbs ranged from 1.9% in 2015 to 1.1% in 2016 (in 2018 - 1.7%). Other types of flowers in 2014-2018 accounted for an average of 21.5% of total imports (in 2018 - 20.7%).
According to BusinesStat estimates, in 2019-2023 the import of flower bulbs will grow by 2.8-0.6% per year. In 2023, it will reach 492.4 million units, which will exceed the level of 2018 by 7.9%.