Growers and retailers are encouraged to respond to a survey being conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) which aims to make the economic case for government investment in ornamental horticulture.
The research, funded by the Horticultural Development Company (HDC), will assess the economic benefits for the UK from import substitution; for example, the impact on the economy if UK growers were able to win more share from overseas growers.
It will also provide data on the size of different sectors of the UK ornamentals market such as the different retail channels and amenity planting.
David Denny, HTA market information manager, said: "We’ll shortly contact UK ornamental growers to ask them to fill out a confidential online questionnaire.
"The survey will ask them the value of their sales of different ornamental crops to different sectors. A parallel survey will also go to UK garden retailers asking for information on their level of imports of different ornamentals, and their views on what UK growers could do to win share against overseas growers."
The results will help to measure the contribution of ornamental horticulture to the UK economy and the potential return on government investment in the sector.
Invitations will be emailed throughout November and December. All the survey data will be cross referenced against EU trade statistics, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the market to be produced.
The report of the findings will be available free for the industry to use.
Businesses who want to ensure that they receive a survey invitation should contact david.denny@the-hta.org.uk.
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