Britain's horticultural industry in peril due to coronavirus lockdown

Amidst coronavirus pandemic, Britain’s horticultural industry risks disappearing in just a matter of weeks. As per reports, experts on March 31 said that re were millions of unsold plants that were being thrown away. Horticultural Tres Association (HTA) which speaks for 1,400 garden centres across United Kingdom has asked government for financial aid to help out industry.

Disaster during its most lucrative period

According to reports, horticultural industry in United Kingdom is facing ecomic disaster during a time that is considered to be busiest time of year. According to HTA chairman, James Barnes, seasonality and perishability of horticulture industry is very unique and that means that growers are facing stock losses on an ever-rising scale.

According to a statement by HTA, it is asking government financial assistance of up to £250 million. This amount according to HTA is bare minimum required in order to avoid collapse of entire industry.  British government’s lockdown that started this month also forced garden centres to close. According to reports, HTA has said that it is unlikely that industry will see any sales till early May which is usually most important commercial period for growers. According to HTA, United Kingdom has 650 companies that produce ornamental plants and employ 15,000 people directly.

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Kerck Park Plants is one such company that is located in Cornwall, in southwest England. As per reports, this company produces up to 12 million plants a year. According to Bruce Harnett, managing director of company has reportedly said that fall in sales and number of cancellations has been extremely worrying for company.  Chelsea Flower Show, which is one of world’s biggest horticultural festivals was cancelled this year because of coronavirus pandemic.

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