Interview with Mr. Jan de Wit published in the China Flower & Gardening News
Posted on 24-04-2009 at 16:39 |  |
Mr. Jan de Wit gave a speech at the Forum 2009 of Yangtze Delta Flower Industry on March 31, in his function as President of the Asia Group of the Holland Bulb Trade Association. The reporter of China Flower & Gardening News had a conversation with Mr. Jan.
Reporter: Could you tell us the current production of bulbs in Holland?
Jan: The quantity changes a little every year. In 2008, the planting acreage of tulip bulbs was about10,000ha, and 3,900ha of lily bulbs. The O hybrid had 1,800ha and OT hybrid had 285ha. The producers have been decreased these years. There were 385 growers in 2008, compared 463 in 2005. And the number will still reduce in 2009, caused by the market situation of 2008. At the same time, the planting acreage of lily bulbs may be decrease 20%, and tulip bulbs will be stable.
Reporter: Now the Chinese importers are helpless of the price fluctuation. Do you have any suggestion to them?
Jan: Order the bulbs one step by one step - this is my advice. Every year it is different of the climate, the harvesting time, and of course the price. For example, the bulbs' price in March may be 30%-40% higher than the second half of the year, but may be lower at the same percentage. And a good season may bring 15% production and a bad one may reduce 15%. The quantity of the bulbs influences the price. You can find the price of last December is lower than last March, and after December the price went higher and higher. I think, buying bulbs is like buying stock. it is much safer to buy step by step. And I find the Chinese people are more concerned with the price, compared the importers of other countries which care more about the quality. In fact, the quality is the most important.
Reporter: The Chinese importers are facing a sound market, regulate trade and other issues now. What do you think they should do next?
Jan: Every country may have a period of confusion in the market. Now the Chinese demand of lily bulbs going bigger and tulip bulbs one year big one year small. Whatever the trend is, it is impossible to predict the quantity and price. Every July, we can get the previous year's exports through our customs statistics. Chinese imported 112,230,000pcs lily bulbs and 22,630,000pcs tulip bulbs from Holland during July 2007 and July 2008. And from July 2006 to July 2007, they imported 90,960,000pcs lily bulbs and 10,790,000pcs tulip bulbs. The change of quantity brings the change of price. As the demand of tulip bulbs always be one year big and one year small in China, I think the import quantity of tulip will be reduce this year and at a higher price. And, I think the communication is important. Such as the bulbs trade organizations in Dutch and Japan, they can exchange information with each other, and the associations play an important role on the market norms. It is very necessary for China to establish such organization, which is helpful to contact the exporters and spread the planting technology and management practices.
