Survey values amenity garden products industry at almost €1bn

THE amenity garden products industry is now valued at almost €1 billion, having grown by 71% over the past four years, an awards ceremony has been told in Dublin.

A recent TNS-MRBI survey for Bord Bia found that Irish consumers purchased outdoor plants and flowers on 6.5 million occasions in the year up to April 2006. Females purchased more outdoor plants and flowers, but 60% of purchases of trees, fruit, vegetable and herbs were made by men.

The findings were revealed as Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, was named the overall winner for the second successive year of the Bord Bia Garden Centre Quality Award 2006. A number of other awards were also presented.