Sales of flowers and fish drop since Covid-19 measures put in place
Flowers and fish are two of the first bio-economy casualties of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A dramatic collapse in export markets for seafood hit the Irish whitefish fleet, and demand has collapsed in many countries for floral products, in particular cut flowers.
In Europe, lockdowns have resulted in a demand decrease of more than 70% for cut flowers. Over 70% of sales of bedding plants and nursery products (trees, shrubs, outdoor plants) are in the springtime, but may be lost, with florist shops and garden centres having to close (many agricultural co-ops have garden centres, but are currently open only for essential goods and services as defined by government regulations).
Plants and nursery products are still being offered by online businesses or contactless phone and collect methods, but there is a danger bedding plants could end up on the compost heap if sales by garden centres and DIY-stores (also closed) are not possible.
Hopefully, some sales to markets such as forestry and municipal projects can continue. However, there is a real danger of garden and nursery companies facing financial problems.
An area where the Covid-19 pandemic could affect farmers before too long is availability of disinfectants. A shortage has become a critical issue in several EU countries, according to the European Chemicals Agency Covid-19 effects on global grain markets are exacerbated by the oil price slump.
A significant proportion of the world’s sugar cane, soy, palm oil, and maize crops were destined for energy markets such as biodiesel and ethanol, and prices for these crops will decline. That will add to global crop price volatility.
The switch of food sales from the foodservice sector, much of which had to close, has been accompanied by a big rise in online sales and grocery delivery, which will likely lead to retailers permanently ramping up investment in their online marketing channels.
How long will market disruption last due to the pandemic? Opinion varies: England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries has said it could be six months before life in the UK returns to "normal". Previously, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson estimated it would take about 12 weeks to turn the tide of the outbreak.
In France, an advisory panel of 11 scientists recommended at least six weeks of social distancing. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said the lockdown could be lifted when Covid-19 cases double only every 14 days.
The outcome may depend on answers to questions like will fade in warm weather? Will the virus mutate, and how long do people stay immune once exposed? How soon can effective vaccines be developed?
Scientists will closely watch what happens when 11 million people in Wuhan in China will be released from an 11-weeks lockdown on April 8. Gradually easing the lockdown first for people under 40 might be an option.
