FLORAHOLLAND (19 april 2010) - The flight disruptions due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland obviously affected the
flower and plant air transport from the main flower producing countries Kenya, Ethiopia, Ecuador and Israel. Usually more than 30% of the total supply of flowers and plants at FloraHolland comes from abroad. If the airspace restrictions continue FloraHolland expects a minus 35% of international supply for the coming days. It concerns roses, Gypsophila and summer flowers.
On Monday, 19 April the total clock supply at the three FloraHolland export auctions (Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk, Rijnsburg) was more or less the same as usual. The international supply however was 15 to 20 % less compared with last year. Pricing was generally the same at the clock, except for roses with an increase of pricing compared with last.
FH Freight group in Kenya participated in two cargo flights Monday morning from Nairobi to Vitoria (North Spain). Monday afternoon one flight left from Nairobi to Amsterdam. Further flights are expected but not confirmed yet. Transport from Spain to the Netherlands will be done by road. In close cooperation with freight forwarders FloraHolland and growers product quality is being monitored.
In Israel summer flowers per airfreight did not arrive in Holland. Alternative routes are presently under investigation. One flight from Israel is scheduled to Athene. By road transport Israeli products will then be forwarded to FloraHolland. Supply of products such as foliage, Ornithogalum, some waxflower and Leucadendron are arriving as usual by sea freight.
Supply from Ecuador and Colombia is affected as well and only small amounts have come through Spain. This will lead to a shortage in the upcoming days if air traffic restrictions continue.
International supply of plants by sea freight and supply from Southern Europa by road transport have no major disturbances.
All stakeholders in the flower industry are joining in efforts to ship flowers to the main markets and maintain good quality products.