Implementing regulation 2020/594 - Authorisation of agreements and decisions on market stabilisation measures in the live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage sector - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 140/17

The Union is a leading producer of live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage (hereinafter ‘live plants and flowers’). The total Union production value in 2019 amounted to EUR 20 billion.

Approximately 85 % of the Union production of live plants and flowers is destined to the internal market, whereas the remaining 15 % is exported to third countries.

The supply chain in live plants and flowers sector is highly interlinked and depends on smooth and efficiently organised logistics in order to ensure a functioning market system for products that to a large degree are perishable in nature.

Furthermore, the production and sales of live plants and flowers is characterised by its seasonality. Most of the live plants and flowers are produced in spring for specific occasions, such as Mother’s day or Easter, and houseplants are specifically produced in smaller pot sizes to adapt to the seasonal demand. The peak of the sales normally takes place during spring. For some of the subsectors, such as annual flowerbed plants and cut flowers, 40 % to 80 % of sales occur from March to June.

Due to the current pandemic of COVID-19 and the extensive movement restrictions on persons put in place in the Member States, the live plants and flowers sector is experiencing an economic disruption that is leading to financial difficulties and cash-flow problems for producers.

The spread of the disease and the measures in place limit the availability of labour, in particular for transport, compromising notably the stages of production, collection, auctioning and selling of live plants and flowers.

The mandatory closure of outdoor markets, garden centres and specialised retail shops, as well as closure of hospitality establishments and cancellation of events and festivities, has also brought the operation of the live plants and flowers sector to a halt. The partial re-opening of garden centres and specialised retail shops in some Member States is not expected to materially alter this situation, as the supply chain is highly interlinked and depends on functioning logistics and limited storage facilities. Social distancing measures are expected to remain in place in the coming months and will continue to affect both transport logistics and sales, as fewer consumers will be able to enter the shops. Moreover, major events, such as annual garden shows taking place in the coming months, have already been cancelled, and other social events that would normally request floral decorations, such as weddings, are also being cancelled.

In addition, buyers in the Union and on the world market are cancelling contracts and delaying the conclusion of new ones in anticipation of further price falls. Moreover, exports are affected by logistical challenges, as the start of the pandemic of COVID-19 in China has led to significant port congestion there and elsewhere. The period of increased blank sailings is expected to continue at...