Buy the full study
Summary
The global horticultural market, particularly for flowers and ornamental plants, was valued at $50.28 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% to reach $92.62 billion by 2031. In Europe, the horticultural market experienced fluctuations, with a period of stagnation in 2020, followed by a 7.7% growth in 2021. The Netherlands leads European production with 31% of the value in 2021, while France ranked fifth with 10%. The French horticultural sector saw sales hit €1.801 billion in 2021, yet there has been a significant decline in the number of growers, nearly halving from 2013 to 2022. The landscape sector, a major customer for horticulturists, boasted sales of €7.7 billion in 2022, buoyed by the surge in demand for green spaces post-Covid-19.
Consumer prices for horticultural products rose by 16.59% from 2019 to 2023. The French horticultural market reveals a preference for local and regional sales, with private individuals accounting for 60.2% of customers when direct sales are included. In 2022, 73% of French households purchased at least one plant, and despite the impact of Covid-19, which led to a job loss of 3,600 in the industry and a 17% sales decline from March-June 2020, there is an upturn in consumer appeal.
However, the landscaping and consumer segment still face challenges with the increasing competition from imports, with France's imports totalling €1,142 million compared to exports of just €95 million in 2022.
Horticultural Demand in Flux: A Blended Landscape of Growth and Decline
The horticultural market in the country presents an interesting tapestry of consumer behavior and market dynamics. A central theme that emerges from the analysis is the oscillation between growth and decline. Despite the market witnessing a general upward trajectory of 14% in 2021, reaching around 1.8 billion euros, it faced setbacks due to the dwindling number of horticulturalists which declined by more than 50% from 2013 to 2022. The employment in the sector also echoed this reduction, shrinking by approximately 31% within the same period. From a consumer perspective, more than half of the households have shown interest in buying at least one outdoor plant. Yet, there has been a noted decrease in the average budget and quantity of plants purchased by households which somewhat contradicted the high consumer interest.
Interestingly, the over 65 demographic emerged as a significant contributor to the sector's revenue, with their spending constituting nearly 44% of the total expenditure on horticulture, which outpaced their representation in the population. Seasonality plays a pivotal role in horticultural purchasing, with consumer activity picking up during spring, marked by April and May, and then again in October, often associated with cultural traditions like All Saints' Day. This implies that market demand follows the rhythm of the seasons and related cultural events rather than exhibiting a steady, year-round pattern.
Local authorities and businesses, despite understanding the burgeoning demand for greenery in urban spaces, have yet to channel their budgets substantially towards the creation or maintenance of such spaces. This suggests that while there is an acknowledgment of the importance of horticulture in enhancing urban life, it has not yet fully translated into consistent financial investment.
The market also reflects the broader ecological trends with younger plants witnessing the most significant growth, accounting for about 36% of the sales in 2021, which underscores a gradual shift in consumer preferences. The inclination towards eco-friendly and locally-sourced products has become increasingly prevalent, with a considerable chunk of garden centers and grain stores relying on French origin plants — around 65% of their supplies.
In terms of distribution, the market continues to thrive on local and regional sales with a promising digital transformation on the horizon. The advent of the Covid-19 crisis served as a catalyst for a shift towards e-commerce, though it is still nascent in its reach compared to physical sales channels. In conclusion, the horticultural.
Landscape of the Horticultural Market: Key Players and Cooperatives
The horticultural market, home to a myriad of species and products, is supported and enriched by a host of key players, each contributing to the vibrancy and diversity of the industry. Dominating the stage in different segments of the market are both individual enterprises and cooperative structures that have adapted to the changing demands and challenges of the horticultural trade.
- Leading the way in France is Val'Hor, serving as the French Interprofession for horticulture, floristry, and landscaping, which orchestrates the activities of various market players, setting a framework for collaboration and development across the sector. Recognized by the French government, Val'Hor's role is crucial for advocacy, market analysis, and the promotion of standards across the industry.
- François Horticulture, hailing from Saint-Alban-De-Montbel, is a prominent name within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, distinguished by its regional contributions to the production of various ornamental plants and flowers.
- Similarly, SARL Renou Horticulture, based in Le Lude in Pays de la Loire, has made its mark with its regional horticultural offerings.
- Cooperatives play a significant role in ensuring smaller producers can gain access to larger distribution networks, with groups such as Le Fleuron d'Anjou showcasing the power of collective action. By pooling resources, these cooperatives enable horticulturalists to amplify their reach and market penetration, further invigorating the sector's economic activity.
- The distribution channel sees InVivo Retail reigning supreme in the garden center domain with well-known franchises like Jardiland and Gamm Vert under its banner. This retail giant not only ensures a wide availability of horticultural products for consumers but also sets trends and standards within the garden retail sector.
- In the realm of wholesale, traditional platforms remain in play, with numerous wholesalers operating across the country. Among these are established wholesale markets such as Rungis and those in cities like Lille and Toulouse, which continue to be critical hubs for the distribution of plants and related products.
- While some market players remain anchored in traditional brick-and-mortar establishments, e-commerce emerges as a new frontier, with certain specialists like OOGarden persevering through the digital transition. Despite the challenges of adapting logistics to the unique demands of horticultural products, the push towards online sales channels signifies a significant shift in market dynamics.
to understand this market
Detailed content
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 11/12/2023
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
Horticulture is the art of maintaining gardens and green spaces. According to the Interprofession de l'Horticulture, de la Fleuristerie et du Paysage, horticulture refers to the production of ornamental plants: cut flowers and foliage, indoor and outdoor potted plants, bedding plants (annuals and biennials), perennials, aquatic plants, trees (including Christmas trees), shrubs and flower bulbs used for ornamental purposes.
Seeds, vegetable seedlings, forestry seedlings for reforestation, fruit seedlings for arboricultural and fruit production, vine seedlings for wine production, aromatic, medicinal and perfume plants not intended for ornamental production are excluded. However, certain fruit plants and vegetable plants are included in the horticultural sector because they are also produced by horticulturists.
There are two distinct modes of horticultural production: indoor and outdoor.
The world market for flowers and ornamental plants was valued at 50.28 billion in 2021 and should continue to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% between 2021 and 2031, reaching 92.62 billion.It ismainly developed in Western countriesand dominated by the United States. [Business Research Insights]
The European market is also booming, and dominated by the Netherlands (31% of European production value). France ranks 5th with 10% of production value. [FranceAgriMer]
France's horticultural sector comprises over 50,000 companies involved in production, distribution andlandscaping, reflecting a highly fragmented market. Horticulturists are the main players in the value chain, accounting for around 6% of companies in the sector[FranceAgriMer]. There is then a wide variety of distribution channels, from direct sales to wholesalers and retailers (such as garden centers and florists).
Purely horticultural sales in France (excluding sales of other agricultural products, garden center articles, etc.) are in constant decline over a 10-year period (-31%), before rising slightly between 2019 and 2021 (+14%) . This decline is the result of increased competition from imports and a reduction in the number of players in the sector. This brings it to 1,617 million excluding VAT in 2021 [FranceAgriMer]
In 2022, 73% of households bought at least one plant [Kantar pour Valhor] . Thishigh consumption of ornamental plants and vegetation by the French is one of the reasons for thecountry's largely negative trade balance, and therefore for increased competition from imports. In fact,its imports will amount to1,142 million in 2022, while its exports will total just 95 million euros. [FranceAgriMer]
The rate of purchasing households is fairly stable compared to previous years, but still below the pre-crisis level (76%)[Kantar pour Valhor]. Covid-19 has had a real impact on this sector, especially sincethe closure of shops during this spring and calendar holiday period represented a loss of 3,600 jobs for the horticultural sector [Ouest-France], and a 17% drop in growers' sales over the March-June 2020 period [Strategy&].
Horticulture should, however, benefit from the new consumer appeal triggered by containment. We should also continue to see the number of production companies shrink and e-commerce develop. As the "pleasure" segment par excellence, horticulture will naturally benefit from the boom in second homes and demographic change.
1.2 The global horticultural market
The global horticultural market can be linked to the market for flowers and ornamental plants. This was valued at $**.** billion in ****, and is expected to grow by *.*% between **** and ****, reaching $**.** billion.
World market for flowers and ornamental plants World, ****-****, in billions of US dollars Source: ****
The horticultural market is mainly ...
1.3 Horticultural market stabilizes after long years of decline
Between **** and ****, total sales for horticultural and nursery companies rose by **%. They will reach *.*** billion euros in **** .
However, by ****, the French horticultural sector will be hard hit by a decline in the number of growers, and its competitiveness will deteriorate. In ** years, due to strong competition, the number of French companies ...
1.4 Foreign trade in horticultural products
And in horticultural products
The high consumption of ornamental plants by the French is at the root of a largely negative trade balance for the country , with imports of *,*** million euros in **** and exports of just ** million euros. Thus, the trade balance has always been negative between **** and ****, rising from -***.* ...
1.5 Covid-19 has had a major impact on the horticultural sector
The industry was heavily impacted by Covid-** due to store closures. Florists were closed for the duration of the containment period, and garden centers were only allowed to sell animal products until April *. After April *, the sale of vegetable seedlings was permitted as a basic necessity. Finally, from April *, garden centers ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 The dynamism of landscapers, intermediate customers of horticulturists
There are three main types of customer for horticulturalists: landscapers (***), companies and local authorities, and private individuals .
In this section, we'll look at how demand from landscapers influences the market for horticulturalists.
The first thing to note is that the landscaping sector has been growing steadily since ****, and is therefore a ...
2.2 Local authorities and businesses find it difficult to direct their budgets towards the creation of green spaces
Local authorities and businesses can work directly with horticulturalists to purchase flowers and plants, particularly for occasional green-space maintenance needs that require less expertise than their creation.
According to the Palmarès des villes vertes ****, the number of m* of green spaces per inhabitant rose from ** m* to ** m* between **** and ...
2.3 The French buy more plants, but on a smaller budget
Trend in French spending on horticultural products
In ****, **% of households purchased at least one outdoor plant (***), down on recent years due to a decline in average quantities purchased and average budget per purchasing household.
Average basket of outdoor plants in volume and value per purchasing household France, ****-****, in units, in ...
2.4 Cyclical demand, largely dependent on the weather
The purchase of plants is highly seasonal, with a notable increase in purchases in April and May (***).
The summer months are less propitious for plant consumption, as households often leave their homes to go on vacation.
Purchasing calendar France, ****, in % of amounts spent Source: ****
2.5 Containment has led to renewed interest in horticulture
Covid-** had different impacts on each segment of demand for horticultural products.
For landscape gardeners, for example, who were unable to carry on their trade continuously during the containment period, the coronavirus led to a drop in sales, and therefore a fall in demand for plants. The gross sales index fell ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Horticultural value chain
Horticulturalists are at the start of the value chain, as they produce the finished plants they grow (***). Horticulturalists can either propagate the plants themselves or source them from specialized companies.
They then have multiple distribution channels at their disposal, with sales to wholesalers and direct sales to retailers, landscapers, local authorities ...
3.2 Fewer and fewer horticulturists
The number of horticultural companies has been falling steadily since ****(***).
Growth in the number of companies and employees in horticultural production France, ****-****, in units Source: ****
South of France
(***
(***
(***
**
(-**%
(+**% between **** and ****
Surface area cultivated by horticulturists France, ****-****, in thousands of hectares Source: ****
In ...
3.3 Distribution of horticultural products
There is a diversity of distribution channels in the sector. In ****, a large proportion of sales by horticultural producers will be made directly to private individuals(***).
If we take into account all the channels aimed directly at private individuals (***), we find that private individuals account for **.*% of horticultural product customers.
Breakdown ...
3.4 Mostly local distribution
French growers mainly sell locally and regionally. In fact, according to FranceAgriMer, horticultural sales are made in the following order:
Regional (***) ; locally (***) ; nationally (***); eU-wide; worldwide.
Furthermore, in ****, plants of French origin will account for **% of plant supplies in garden centers and grain stores. In addition, **% of these establishments offer products with ...
3.5 E-business opportunities for horticulture
Although the horticultural market is lagging behind in terms of digitalization, it is likely to turn increasingly to this mode of marketing, particularly in light of the lessons learned from the Covid-** crisis.
Today, the vast majority of garden center and horticultural chains are not involved in online sales, with the ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Different horticultural products
Sales of horticultural products are varied, with the following main categories:
Nursery plants : woody plants such as trees and shrubs. Potted plants. Bedding plants : plants used to make up flower beds (***). Cut flowers : flowers sold in bouquets or used to make garlands or other decorations. Perennials and aromatics: a perennial is ...
4.2 Consumer prices for horticultural products
Since ****, prices for garden, plant and flower products have been rising steadily(***).
This may in part explain why the average budget per purchasing household has seen full growth between **** and ****, as seen in part *.*.
consumer price trends for garden, plant and flower products France, ****-****, index base *** **** Source: ****
5 Regulations
5.1 Regulatory framework
Interprofessional agreement
VAL'HOR has been recognized by the French government since August **, **** as the French Interprofession for horticulture, floristry and landscaping. Recognition of Interprofessions is provided for by the French Rural Code - Article L***-*.
An interprofessional financing agreement had been concluded by Val'Hor members on March **, **** for a period ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Segmentation
- François Horticulture
- Samuel Penochet
- Le Fleuron d'Anjou
- Gamm Vert (Teract Groupe)
- Jardiland (Groupe Teract)
- Truffaut
- Pépinières Naudet
- Pépinières Ripaud
- Pépinières Lepage
- Pépinières Minier
- Pépinières Jean Huchet
- Pépinières Rouxel
- Pépinières Guillaume
- Pépinières Larnaud
- Pépinières de Kerzarc'h
- Pépinières de la Saulaie
- Pépinières et Roseraies Georges Delbard
- Pépinières du Val d'Erdre
- Pépinières du Val de Loire
- Pépinières Delabroye
- Pépinières Charentaises
- Cholat Pépinière
List of charts
- World market for flowers and ornamental plants
- European production of plants and flowers
- Breakdown of production value in 2021
- Total sales of horticultural and nursery companies
- Horticultural sales
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Cholat Nurseries invests in an R&D center for its fruit treesCholat Nurseries invests in R&D - 19/09/2023
- The Cholat group is to invest 3 million euros in a research and development center due to open in September 2025.
- The company was founded in 1963. They plant 35,000 to 40,000 trees a year.
- Business is increasing by more than 10% a year.
- Half of their orders come from the public sector.
- The nursery business accounts for around half of the group's 15 million euros in sales.
- Today, Cholat employs around one hundred people, rising to 120 with seasonal workers.
Jardiland: turnkey garden maintenance services - 13/10/2022
- 176 stores in France, including around 100 in 2021
- sales of almost 800 million euros (including VAT)
- 36 stores offer services: garden furniture assembly, tree and shrub planting, plant repotting, lawn mowing, hedge trimming, vegetable garden design, barbecue set-up, greenhouse installation, turfing, etc
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the horticultural market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
