Positive year end for the garden market and good prospects for grow your own
THEALE, UK, March 5, 2012: The latest ‘new look’ HTA Market Update reports that garden centre and nursery sales in the last quarter of 2011 were up on the previous year and that interest in grow your own looks to continue in 2012. The data from the HTA’s Garden Retail Monitor reveals that sales were up 5% in October, 6% up in November and 12% up in December. The December increase is exaggerated slightly by the heavy snows of December 2010 which depressed sales. Even so December 2011 sales are up 7% on 2009. This represents a strong end to the year for garden retailers who continue to capitalise on their reputations for ‘doing Christmas well’ and for the full year sales were up 6%.
Interest in grow your own remained constant in 2011 compared with 2010 both regard to the number of people engaged and sales figures from garden retailers. Tomatoes continue to be the most grown GYO crop although other crops, including herbs, runner beans, onions and peppers are showing increases suggesting that existing GYO customers are expanding the range of what they grow.
HTA Director of Marketing and Communications Andrew Maxted comments, “The garden industry ended the year in a good position and despite the gloomy economic outlook for the months ahead garden retailers remain cautiously optimistic in the light of events such as the Jubilee and the Olympics. Interest in grow your own continues and it looks like the category is maturing with people trying their hand at growing different crops after enjoying the fruits of their labours in previous seasons.”
He adds, “Research from Future Foundation shows that consumers are feeling the need to connect with rural life and are looking for authentic and local products. They are also looking for value and in a retail environment where three quarters think that they pay too much for food and organic vegetables ‘growing your own’ remains for many an attractive proposition.”
This latest edition of HTA Market Update is in a new format based on the feedback from members. It makes more market information available in an easy to use format. HTA members can download copies, free of charge from www.the-hta.org.uk/marketinformation
Floriculture Report spared from budget cuts
ALEXANDRIA, USA, December 21, 2011: The floriculture industry can still rely on the droves of data in a yearly U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report that businesses use to make key decisions, thanks to the Society of American Florists' (SAF) efforts. USDA announced Dec. 9 that it would reinstate the Annual Floriculture Report, along with several others that had been slated for elimination because of budget cuts. The agency’s decision came after Congress directed the National Agriculture Statistics Service in mid-November to reconsider ending the surveys, as part of USDA’s budget.
Upon learning that the report would be cut, SAF went to work immediately, informing members of the House Appropriations Committee how the survey’s sales and production data benefit the industry.
"SAF's successful effort to reverse NASS's decision is a huge victory for the industry," said David Mitchell, chairman of the SAF Government Relations Committee. Mitchell, of Mitchell's Flowers in Orland Park, Ill., said the triumph illustrates the power of building relationships on Capitol Hill. "SAF is on the Hill everyday fighting for SAF members and lobbying on behalf of the entire floral industry,” he said. “Reinstating this report shows the value of what SAF does for all of us."
Marvin Miller, Ph.D., market research manager for Ball Horticultural Co. in West Chicago, Ill., was elated over saving the floriculture report, a survey of more than 10,000 commercial operations in 15 states. “I think this result is testament to the continued relationships SAF has with members, USDA and Congress,” said Miller, who serves on SAF’s Government Relations Committee and an Industry Statistics Task Force that has met with NASS for more than 25 years. “When we needed help to get this survey reinstated, SAF knew who would care and who to call.”
HTA welcomes Defra Minister’s commitment to R&D
LONDON, UK, November 23, 2011: The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) was encouraged last night by Defra Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach’s comments that he is urging his Business Ministerial colleagues to increase the amount of applied research for British horticulture. Lord Taylor was speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group’s (APPGHG) 12th Annual Reception in the House of Commons. Attended by over 130 politicians, journalists and industry representatives, the reception also heard from the Chairman of the Group Baroness Fookes. She said that she would be urging the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman MP, to hold her annual meeting with the industry to discuss R&D and other key issues.
The evening gave members of the industry an opportunity to lobby parliamentarians on other policy areas of concern such as Sunday trading, peat reduction, hosepipe bans and planning policy. Carol Paris, HTA President, confirms “this annual event provides an invaluable opportunity for industry to raise specific concerns with parliamentarians. In this context, I was delighted to meet my local MP John Penrose and reiterate the garden industry’s concerns about the proposal to move the May Day Bank Holiday as part of the Government’s Tourism Strategy”.
Other attendees included radio and TV presenters Bunny Guinness and Tommy Walsh. John Penrose MP, Minister of State for Tourism, Huw Irranca-Davies MP Shadow Food and Farming Minister and Anne McIntosh MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee also attended the event.
David Gwyther, Director General of the HTA said, “The presence of so many politicians at the event shows that the industry is valued by Government and Opposition alike. But ornamental horticulture will only continue to thrive if Government redresses the balance between pure and applied R&D. It is vital that an effective knowledge transfer mechanism is in place to apply research outputs to growers and thereby improve productivity and efficiency. We therefore fully support Lord Taylor’s determination to implement the findings of the report that he published on this issue whilst in opposition.”
Bopp members vote to move under the HTA umbrella
THEALE, UK, November 7, 2011: Following a thorough review of the British Ornamental Plant Producers (BOPP) Certification Scheme by its Board and full consultation with the membership, Bopp members have voted to make the scheme a Specialist Group within the HTA. Having debated the issue at the last two AGMs the 87 certificated Bopp members have supported the change by majority vote. Moving to the HTA, which will take effect from 1st January 2012, provides a robust foundation for this important scheme for future. As part of the change Bopp members that are HTA members will no longer be required to pay a Bopp subscription fee. Being part of the HTA will enable the scheme to strengthen its links with retailers and ensure that any future developments work for suppliers and retailers alike.
Speaking following the result of the vote Bopp Chairman, Steve Homer, commented “I am pleased that Bopp members have agreed with both the Bopp Board and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that moving the scheme into the HTA is the best route for the future running and development of the scheme. We have been impressed with the way that HTA have outlined a strong future under their careful management. Their good track record in managing Specialist Groups has certainly helped in providing re-assurance that the change is right.”
HTA will continue to promote and progress all aspects of the current Bopp scheme and will work closely with National Britannia Certification to maintain UKAS accreditation for the Grower, Packhouse and Growing Media Standards.
Commenting on the news HTA Director of Business Development, Tim Briercliffe, said “Having been personally involved with Bopp for many years I am pleased that we can now assist directly in making Bopp work for its members into the future. One of the strengths of the scheme is that it provides a one-stop-shop for certification for growers and packhouses. With new standards and customer demands arising all the time it will be an important role for the HTA to keep retailers on board, ensuring that Bopp meets their needs but critically in a way that works for growers and packhouses too.”
Anna Cook will be working for HTA to manage the scheme and having previously worked for ADAS as a Bopp inspector and for Tesco as a technologist within the sector she is ideally placed to meet the scheme objectives.
NZFGA reports from post quake Christchurch
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, November 2, 2011: In only five months time Christchurch , one of New Zealand’s biggest cities was hit by two major quakes. Now, nine months later, New Zealand Flower Grower Association NZFGA recalls the dreadful events of September 4, 2010 and February 22, 2011. One of the NZFGA members, Ian Kempth said, “We have had a year with a lot of external effects on flowers sales in Christchurch this year. With the quake on February 22nd leading these and not just bringing devastation to many families but also the destruction of many businesses and homes, bringing the closure or relocation of several florists, supermarkets (which are still not open).”
Kempth’s nursery is located in Springston South which was only affected by the September 4th earthquake, so NZFGA also talked to John Gunn who grows Gerbera and foliage in the Horotane Valley, very close to the epicentre of the February 22nd quake.
Commenting on the dreadful events, John said, “It hit when all four workers were in the packing shed, the noise was unbelievable. Then the valley filled with dust, rocks could be heard coming down the side of the hill. My 2 ton bulldozer, which had been parked beside the pack shed, moved 1.5 meters .Glass was breaking and flower racks moved so much they broke off their mounts and ended up with ½ the glass from the end walls on the ground. The force was so strong that it wobbled and ro-tated large water tanks off their bases and fittings and drained all the water from which I irrigate my crops. My home is red stickered, but at the moment EQC have let me stay in a small rear section of the house.”
Following the quakes, the Christchurch experienced a winter with snow falls that closed schools, shops, malls and freight services causing disruption to flower growers. “Despite the snow the flowers just keep on coming with limited sales. So even though we are only 3 meters above sea level we still had heavy snow fall. Our nursery is fortunate to have such great staff of which several made it to work, some even having to dig out their cars first. One lady we picked up from down the road as she normally cycles and wisely wasn’t keen to brave the snow on 2 wheels! Times have been tough for everyone in the Canterbury area, and we wish for a safe and prosperous year ahead to all.”
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