Domestic spending on flowers continues to rise

IRISH consumers’ spending on cut flowers has doubled in five years — rising from €16.34 per head in 1997 to €30.50 in 2002.

Overall growth is continuing at approximately 3%-4% per annum, with spend predicted to reach €39.90 per head in the five year period to 2007.

A new alliance hoping to cash in on this blooming business has resulted in Van Vliet Ireland, based in Naas, County Kildare, securing the contract to supply fresh cut flowers to SuperValu and Centra stores, through the independent retail groups’ central chilled distribution system.