As the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is in full swing , the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) release their monthly market update indicating that the sector is still showing incredible resiliency , despite variable weather condition and securities industry challenge . Garden meat sales grew by 1 % from April 2022 , drive by plant and catering sale , compensating for crushed garden furniture sales , and it is hoped that with the expert atmospheric condition boot in this month and the inspiration of Chelsea , more people will be cluster back to garden center in the coming months .
Consumer self-assurance improved for the third consecutive calendar month , despite monetary value - of - living press . Any wallop of the recent interest charge per unit increment by the Bank of England stay to be come across , and come up remuneration bills and the toll of goods sold continue to coerce the diligence . Still , businesses are cautiously optimistic with some relief from fall vehicle fuel and fertiliser prices .
Despite a 2 % decrease in gardening category sales compared to the considerably dry April of the previous year , sale of plant , cum ( up 30 % ) , and bulbs ( up 11 % ) stood out as showcasing consumers ' stay passion for gardening even in unpredictable atmospheric condition conditions and perhaps establish that grow - your - own reach tend to pick up during problematic economic multiplication , not because it ’s necessarily punk to grow from seed or incandescent lamp , but because of the sense of dominance , flavour of resilience amongst doubt that it provides .
Non - garden categories experienced a 12 % growing , driven by a 29 % increase in catering sales and a 12 % increase in food and farm shop cut-rate sale . While sales of wild bird care were slightly hampered by poor weather and supply challenge stemming from the Russia - Ukraine conflict , they still outgo April 2021 with an 18 % growth .
compare with 2021 sale reverberate the unique circumstances of that year , with heightened gardening interest during lockdown but restrict catering trade .
Amidst these grocery store fluctuation , the HTA uphold to bet a all important role in representing the gardening sphere on the Environment Agency ’s National Drought Group , focalize on water preservation and resiliency . The importance of pee preservation became patent after a dry February , a crocked March , and an changeable April . While some areas of England saw improvement in their water supply compare to last year , parts of East Anglia and Devon and Cornwall still look irregular use bans due to drought conditions . The HTA is actively working to see to it creditworthy water employment messaging in horticulture does not hinder participation in this beloved bodily process .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , sound out : " Overall , the HTA ’s marketplace update highlights the unwavering love of consumer for plant and gardening , and this is being perfectly demonstrated at this calendar week ’s Chelsea Flower Show . Despite challenges posed by weather condition variations and marketplace conditions , HTA member business stay positive about their prospect , with a third sequent quarter of improvement in Q1 . The industry ’s power to pilot various challenge demonstrates its strength and determination to thrive in the months and years forward but with care . Given the increase in grow Media price , we urge the Government to review its drastic shift on the professional peat ban , returning to the sphere - defend 2030 date , and provide the sphere with the urgent clarity demand for business enterprise preparation and investment . "
For more information : Horticultural sell Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
