Fall Bulb News

Disappointing Flower Bulb Harvest: Challenges and Prospects

As a leading flower bulb importer in the United States, DeVroomen closely monitors market developments. This year, there’s much to discuss due to the impact of a poor flower bulb harvest in the Netherlands caused by extreme weather conditions in the fall and spring.

(Drone view of water damage in tulip fields in the Netherlands, autumn 2023)

(Hail damage to growing tulips, spring 2024)

Poor Flower Bulb Harvest

Unfortunately, we cannot control the climate or nature. This season, the flower bulb planting period was marked by extreme rainfall in the fall. As a result, bulbs were planted later, making their roots more vulnerable during the frost period. In the spring, some tulip varieties either struggled to grow or did not emerge at all, and growers suffered serious consequences. Additionally, heavy hail storms during the growing period caused visible damage to the bulbs, stunting their growth or leading to complete crop losses. Tulip bulbs were particularly hard-hit by these extreme weather conditions. The poor tulip harvest in the Netherlands has caused very limited availability across the industry.

Short and Long-Term Implications

The disappointing harvest yield has resulted in a reduced availability of tulip bulbs this year, along with smaller bulb sizes than you are accustomed to from us. If any ordered tulip varieties become unavailable, we will promptly discuss alternatives with you to find a suitable replacement.

This poor harvest year may also affect bulb availability in the upcoming seasons. We are closely monitoring the situation and recommend placing your bulb orders earlier than usual this year. This will allow us to secure your supply in advance and reduce the risk of limited availability.

This year, the flower bulb market faces significant challenges due to the poor harvest in the Netherlands. Extreme weather conditions have resulted in lower yields and smaller bulb sizes, especially among tulip bulbs. This situation affects not only this year’s availability but could also impact future seasons. By ordering early, we can secure your supply in a timely manner and minimize the impact on your deliveries.