The UK imports roughly 80% of its cut flowers from the Netherlands, and post-Brexit trade rules are causing concern among sellers. Starting immediately, all fresh European plant and animal products entering the UK must undergo disease checks at the British border. This includes flowers, meat, and dairy products. Dutch flower and plant exporters anticipate significant delays due to the new inspection rules, and expect British consumers to face higher prices as a result. Previously, checks on perishable goods could be conducted at various locations across the UK, but now they must take place at centralized checkpoints at ports and airports, leading to increased inspections for flowers and plants.
Leon Verschoor, a large exporter to the UK, notes that consumers in England have already seen a 5% price increase post-Brexit, and expects the prices to rise further due to the additional inspections in the UK. Concerns are also raised on the British side, with RBF Cargocare, responsible for customs clearance at the port of Felixstowe, predicting delays and increased costs for transporting goods, including plants and flowers. Director Jon Beech warns that buyers may not be able to purchase the products they desire immediately, leading to higher prices for plants and flowers as a result of the new post-Brexit trade rules.
The new post-Brexit trade regulations have a direct impact on the flower and plant sector in the Netherlands, with exporters facing challenges due to the changes in inspection procedures and the potential for delays in delivering products to the UK. The prospect of fewer inspection points and increased inspections is causing anxiety within the Dutch industry, with companies like Royal Lemkes bracing for higher costs as a result of duplicative inspections in both countries. The changes in the trade rules are expected to disrupt the supply chain for flowers and plants, impacting both exporters and consumers who rely heavily on products sourced from the Netherlands.
The increase in inspection procedures and centralized checkpoints at ports and airports marks a significant shift in the way perishable goods like flowers and plants are imported into the UK post-Brexit. The move from decentralized inspections to centralized checkpoints is causing uncertainty and fear among exporters and importers, as they anticipate longer delays and higher costs associated with the new regulations. Companies like Royal Lemkes that have been supplying plants and flowers to the UK for decades are now faced with the challenge of adapting to the new post-Brexit trading environment, which is expected to have far-reaching implications for the industry.
Consumers in the UK can expect to see higher prices for flowers and plants as a result of the increased inspections and delays caused by the new post-Brexit trade rules. With exporters like Royal Lemkes anticipating a 5% price hike due to the duplication of inspections in both the Netherlands and the UK, the overall cost of importing flowers and plants is likely to rise significantly. Companies responsible for customs clearance, like RBF Cargocare, are warning of delays and additional charges as a result of the new regulations, which will impact the availability and affordability of plants and flowers for consumers in the UK.
In conclusion, the new post-Brexit trade regulations are causing uncertainty and concern among Dutch flower and plant exporters, as well as British customs clearance companies and consumers. The shift to centralized checkpoints and increased inspections for perishable goods like flowers and plants is expected to lead to longer delays, higher costs, and ultimately, higher prices for consumers in the UK. The challenges faced by exporters like Royal Lemkes highlight the complexities and disruptions caused by the changes in trade rules, which have far-reaching consequences for the flower and plant sector in both the Netherlands and the UK.
