Concern over high import levels and rising costs in nursery stock industry

THE country’s amenity and nursery stock industry is now worth in the region of €450 million, but there is increasing concern that the value of imports has surged to around €20m a year.

Continued growth in home ownership and increased emphasis on leisure and ecology is fuelling increased demand for landscape services and garden products in the domestic market.

But the Teagasc National Nursery Stock Conference in Naas, Co Kildare, was also told there is a degree of uncertainty within the industry with particular concern about import levels and increasing costs.

At farm gate level, the value of the amenity sector is in excess of €52m. The sector has 1,500 full-time and part-time employees. Full-time employment has increased by 18% in the past three years.

Patrick Gleeson, a Teagasc specialist, said imports, particularly from the Netherlands and Italy, by nurserymen, landscape contractors and retail outlets had grown significantly in recent years.

The continued growth of the Irish hardy nursery stock industry will be largely influenced by the ability of producers to withstand this competitive pressure from abroad and how they can manage their own costs and improve margins, he said. Mr Gleeson said diversity and imagination are key driving forces within the industry.

The introduction of 12 new plants by Irish nurseries over the last 10 years, many of which are now commanding a large market share both in the home and export markets, is an example of the type of diversification needed.

“These new plants have brought fresh colour, new foliage and features of special interest to enhance our gardens and landscape projects,” he said.

Minister of State Brendan Smith said the National Development Plan horticulture scheme, operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food, is a major catalyst for growth and development in the sector.

Since 2001, there have been 184 growers approved for almost €13m of investment in the nursery stock sector while this year alone, there were 44 growers approved for €6m investment.

Mr Smith said an expanding market for quality plants would continue with the significant growth in consumer spending and the many new housing and road developments.