Preparing for Christmas Demand: Fresh Flowers & Horticulture

As the festive season approaches, demand for fresh flowers, wreaths, and seasonal plants surges across Ireland and Europe. Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for florists, garden centres, and retailers, requiring a well-planned supply chain to ensure products arrive fresh, vibrant, and ready for sale.

At HANNON Transport, we specialise in temperature-controlled logistics for the horticulture sector, ensuring that Christmas flower and plant deliveries reach their destinations quickly and in peak condition.

Why Christmas is Crucial for the Horticulture Industry

The weeks leading up to Christmas see a significant increase in demand for both fresh flowers and potted plants. Consumers purchase floral arrangements for home decorations, gifts, and festive events, while businesses stock up on traditional Christmas plants like poinsettias, holly, and amaryllis.

Key Market Trends for Christmas 2024:

• Poinsettias remain the most popular Christmas plant, with over 8 million sold annually across Europe.
• Wreaths and festive floral arrangements continue to see strong sales, with many garden centres reporting a 30% increase in demand compared to other months.
• Online flower sales are expected to rise by 15%, as more consumers opt for home delivery during the festive period.

With such high demand, reliable transport and supply chain planning are essential to prevent shortages, delays, and product losses.

Challenges in Christmas Horticulture Supply

Ensuring Freshness in Cold Weather Conditions

Unlike other times of the year, winter presents unique challenges for the transport and storage of flowers and plants. Temperature fluctuations, frost damage, and moisture loss can all impact product quality.

How We Maintain Freshness:

• Controlled temperature logistics to prevent flowers from freezing or wilting.
• Humidity regulation to maintain the longevity of delicate plants.
• Specialist packaging and handling to reduce damage in transit.

Managing Peak Season Demand

With Christmas orders increasing by up to 50%, supply chains must be flexible enough to scale operations efficiently. Retailers and wholesalers rely on just-in-time deliveries to avoid overstocking perishable goods.

Solutions for Managing Demand Spikes:

• Daily transport routes across Europe and Ireland for uninterrupted supply.
• Flexible logistics options, including groupage and full-load services, to accommodate varying order sizes.
• Advanced stock forecasting to help retailers manage inventory effectively.

Importing Christmas Plants & Flowers from Europe

Ireland imports a large proportion of its Christmas flowers and plants from the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Timely transport is essential to ensure fresh, high-quality stock for the holiday season.

Key Import Figures for Christmas 2024:

• Over 60% of fresh flowers sold in Ireland are imported from European growers.
• Dutch flower auctions remain the primary source for Christmas florals, handling 30 million flowers daily during peak season.
• Demand for eco-friendly and sustainably sourced flowers is increasing, with many suppliers adopting greener transport and packaging solutions.

How HANNON Transport Supports the Christmas Horticulture Supply Chain

Reliable and Temperature-Controlled Transport

Our specialist temperature-controlled vehicles ensure that fresh flowers and plants maintain their colour, fragrance, and vitality throughout transit.

Direct and Efficient Transport Routes

With established daily transport services between Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe, we guarantee fast and seamless deliveries for retailers and wholesalers.

Flexible Logistics Solutions for Large and Small Orders

We provide both full-load and groupage services, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can access efficient, cost-effective transport options.

Customs Clearance & Regulatory Compliance

Post-Brexit regulations have introduced additional customs procedures for EU-Ireland trade. Our expert customs team ensures smooth border crossings, preventing delays and ensuring shipments arrive on time and in top condition.

Preparing for a Busy Christmas Season

With Christmas 2024 set to bring another strong season for the fresh flower and horticulture market, businesses must prioritise logistics efficiency, product quality, and supply chain reliability.

At HANNON Transport, we are committed to delivering fresh, festive flowers and plants on time, helping retailers and florists meet the growing holiday demand with confidence.

For tailored logistics solutions for Christmas and beyond, contact HANNON Transport today.