Dutch horticulture sector welcomes reported delay to flower VAT rise

The Dutch ornamental horticulture sector has welcomed a reported delay to a planned VAT rise on flowers and plants, but says the increase has not been permanently abandoned.

The government’s plan was to raise VAT on floriculture products from 9% to 21% from 1 January 2028. The official tax-plan page describes that proposal, but does not confirm the reported postponement.

The florists’ association VBW said on 3 November that it was pleased the increase was temporarily off the table. It said it would continue lobbying for the measure to be scrapped. The association is part of the sector’s “Pluk-me-niet” campaign against the rise.

In a separate report, ANP said organisations including LTO, Royal FloraHolland and Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland welcomed the delay. They said keeping flowers and plants affordable would support the government’s greening ambitions. The report did not give details of the postponement or say when the proposal might be reconsidered.

The proposal formed part of the government’s 2027 tax plan, which still required approval by both houses of parliament. Before the reported delay, VBW had warned that the increase could put pressure on the sector; the association’s earlier concerns are outlined in a report on its warning about potential job losses.