Tulipmania and drowning hits global supply chain!
If you’ve flinched at the price of tulips blame it on the weather and don’t be surprised to see it continue. Because industry intel (Royal Flora Holland) is saying there’s been a 35% drop in production and a 44% increase in price!
It’s all to do with the fact that the bulbs didn’t just have soggy bottoms but drowned last year due to the horrendous levels of rain. As a result, there simply hasn’t been enough stock to supply growers (in whichever country) at normal levels and due to the rules of supply and demand what has been available hasn’t just cost them more but quality isn’t as strong as usual as the bulbs are smaller; all made worse by continuing bad weather during the current growing season.
What makes it tougher for independents is that consumers still tend to think of tulips as a cheap option; not helped by supermarkets often using them as a loss leader line - although we have noticed less per bunch in many of the major stores i.e. 7’s rather than 10’s but for the same price.
The advice is to buy the best grades you can or go for the more bespoke options like Parrots etc, tweak margin if you really can and – given this is predicted to continue into 26/27 – be honest with your customers and explain that this is Mother Nature at play not that you are greedy. If you have anything to add we’d love to hear from you - email us at
