When it comes to ordering plants in Italy, speed is of the essence. Luca Perra of Lievaart Planten Export in the Netherlands emphasizes the competitive edge Dutch horticultural products enjoy in Italy, primarily due to their lightning-fast logistics. In a nutshell, if you order plants from a grower merely 30 kilometers away, you receive them a week later. However, if you source your plants from Lievaart Planten Export, you can expect delivery to your shed the following day. The plants embark on their journey in the evening, arriving at their destination just 24 hours later.
According to Luca Perra, it’s this remarkable efficiency that has made Dutch horticultural products immensely popular in Italy. He acknowledges that Italian growers can produce quality crops, and the horticultural sector in Italy is sizeable, but it’s the Dutch logistics infrastructure and network that truly stand out. Additionally, the Netherlands boasts a comprehensive range of ornamental plants, making it a one-stop destination for Italian buyers. Notably, Dutch suppliers like Lievaart Planten Export can effortlessly fulfill large orders, even entire carts or layers, a logistical feat that’s inherently more challenging in Italy.
Lievaart Planten Export primarily serves wholesalers, with a focus on maintaining long-standing relationships rather than aggressively pursuing new clients. Luca Perra asserts, “Occasionally, someone does come in, but most customers go back decades. You have built a bond with them; there is a certain trust, and that is the basis of good business. We are not necessarily the cheapest and don’t claim to be, but in return, always fresh, always high quality, and always on time. In addition, the customer also knows that we are not going to try to sell to his customer, something that does happen but with which, at least in our philosophy, you don’t do good business in the longer term.”
The Italian horticultural market has witnessed significant growth, a trend that has accelerated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Greenery remains a hot commodity in Italy, driven by factors such as Instagram trends, health awareness, air purification, and a desire for home comfort. Despite this modern appeal, the Italian market retains its traditional aspects, much like its Northern European counterparts. While the production side gravitates toward standard and classic added value, traditional holidays like All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day continue to exert considerable influence on the market each year.
Though Lievaart Planten Export is not the sole player in the Dutch-Italian horticultural trade, the company has established itself as a prominent figure in the sector. Daily shipments of plants make their way to Italy, facilitated by Lievaart Expeditie, a sister company that separated from the main business 30 years ago. However, the collaboration between the two entities remains strong and sustainable. Notably, Lievaart Expeditie has established branches in Milan and Naples, minimizing the need for trucks to make frequent stops during their journeys.