More roses imported

In the first eight months of last year, 2.5 billion roses were imported into the Netherlands, 3 percent more than in the same period one year previously. Kenya is by far the largest supplier. Since 2001, the Netherlands imports more roses than it exports.

Rose imports, main import countries

Firm growth imports since 2000

In the period 2000-2008, rose imports grew by 60 percent from 2.3 billion in 2000 to 3.7 billion in 2008. Rose exports increased by 6 percent over the same period. In 2000, 2.3 billion roses were exported, as against 2.5 billion eight years later.

Share rose imports, various countries

Kenya’s share crumbling away 

Kenya is by far the largest supplier of roses, although their share in Dutch import of roses is slowly declining. In 2005, 62 percent of all roses imported into the Netherlands came from Kenya. Subsequently, Kenya’s share steadily dropped to 55 percent in the first eight months of 2009. Ethiopia’s share in the period 2000-2009 (first eight months) rose from 0 to 22 percent. Zimbabwe’s share fell from 26 to 7 percent. 

Ethiopia accounts for increase Dutch imports

Ethiopia accounts entirely for the import growth of roses in the first eight months of 2009. Rose imports from Ethiopia increased by nearly 40 percent relative to the same period in 2008. Rose imports from Kenya remained stable compared one year ago. Imports from other important rose-growing countries in Africa declined, most dramatically from Zimbabwe.

Germany major importer

In the period January-August 2009, 1.6 billion roses were exported. With 643 million roses, Germany is the largest importer. Approximately 86 percent of roses are exported to EU countries. These are largely roses re-exported to their final destination through Dutch auctions.

Number of Dutch rose growers declines further

Last year, 265 businesses were engaged in the cultivation of roses. Their number declined by 45 compared to twelve months ago. In the period 2000-2009, the number of rose nurseries plummeted from 765 to 265. The total area used for growing roses also shrank dramatically from 932 ha in 2000 to 532 ha in 2009. The area per nursery increased from 1.2 to 2.0 ha.

Wiel Packbier