The value of exports from the amenity sector was estimated at over €17m in 2017 which
was an increase on the previous year. Amenity horticulture exports rely heavily on the UK for sales and despite currency changes triggered by Brexit growers of plants, Christmas trees, cut foliage and flowers managed to maintain or in some cases increase exports to the UK and Northern Ireland.
Hardy nursery stock accounts for €7m of exports. Bulb and cut fl ower exports to Northern
Ireland, the UK and continental Europe were valued at €1.3m. Cut foliage producers have made significant inroads into a strong mainland Europe market with exports valued at €4.8m. Recent investments in production should see significant opportunity to realise further growth. Christmas tree exports were valued at €4.8m last year which was similar to the previous year and while returns were back a little this was compensated by a small increase in volume. ✽
