"This year’s cold and wet weather created a shorter growing season, with bulb planting delayed as late as December in some areas, which is highly unusual," Arian Smith, a seasoned tulip grower and chairman of Tulip Promotion Netherlands, said.
The wet conditions, which persisted from October through April, not only delayed planting but also complicated the harvest. The result: smaller bulbs and lower yields. Smith elaborated that while "we normally finish planting by November, this time we were dealing with rain that just wouldn’t stop."
The delayed planting has created ripple effects throughout the supply chain. Many growers have had to plant smaller bulbs, which could lead to smaller flowers. "We used size nine bulbs for production, taking a risk that we wouldn't get full-sized tulips. Smaller bulbs typically mean smaller flowers," Smith said. This risk is being felt across the industry, from growers to retailers.
Mark-Jan, general director of Royal Anos, the trade organization for flower bulbs, noted the significant impact on supply. "There is a serious shortcoming in both sizes and quantities of bulbs this season. We’re seeing smaller bulb sizes, which results in lighter flowers. The market is now trying to deal with these shortages, spreading available stock across various customers, including cut flower producers and landscaping companies."
Retailers and wholesalers are already feeling the squeeze. With fewer tulips available, prices are expected to rise, and some retailers may even experience shortages. Mark-Jan said, "We don’t know anyone who’s received all the bulbs they expected. Retailers are having to adjust, and we might see situations where certain stores just don’t have tulips available at certain times." Despite the challenges, the industry is hopeful that by carefully managing supply, the most critical sales periods—such as Valentine's Day and International Women's Day—will be covered.
The situation has also sparked a reevaluation of industry practices, especially pricing. "We’ve been underpricing tulips for the past 15 years," Smith said. "Now, with costs rising by 10 percent every year, we have no choice but to raise prices by 50 percent. It’s still one of the cheapest bunches of flowers you can buy, but we need to ensure that our growers can remain profitable."
Despite the setbacks, the industry is working hard to ensure that the tulip season will go on. Wim, another industry expert, stressed the importance of maintaining supply for consumers: "We have tulips, and we’ll ensure they’re available. By reducing waste and carefully managing stock, we can still bring tulips to as many people as possible. We’re aiming to bring happiness with our flowers, even in challenging times."
Looking ahead, there is uncertainty about how the weather will affect future seasons. Smith expressed concern that the 25 percent reduction in this year’s planting material could affect production for several years. "We’re looking at a three-year setback to return to normal levels," he said.
While the current season has been a test for the tulip industry, it has also reinforced the resilience of the growers and suppliers. "It’s been a difficult year," Mark-Jan said, "but the market is adapting, and we’re confident that tulips will remain a beloved symbol of spring."