Cut foliage could sustain 400 jobs and add to exports, say experts

Cut foliage could sustain 400 jobs by 2020 if Ireland can add value to export products such as flower bouquets and baskets, say industry experts.

Irish growers of cut foliage, referred to as the ‘filler’ in flower bouquets and arrangements, could easily grow exports to €30m in the next few years, attendees learned at yesterday’s Teagasc Cut Foliage Conference in Kildalton Horticultural College in Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

The plan is to build sales in peak windows such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. Yesterday’s event brought leading UK cut foliage figures together with Ireland’s interagency steering committee for the sector, consisting of Teagasc, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, and the Department of Agriculture.