Hiroshi Nakamura

Thank you for your usual cooperation and treatment.
According to the plant quarantine statistic from Plant Protection Station, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, the number of inspected lily’s bulbs is 9% decreased from December to March comparing with last year.
One of the reasons is the early import was more difficult than scheduled because of the later harvest in Netherlands (Difference with last year is -16% in December ~ February). The situation is much recovered in March, but the whole result is surprising.
If the same rate continues, the expected number of import (NL crop 06′) will be about 134 millions, and 13 millions less than last year.
On the other hands, (as one of the reason of decrease) we may think of the change to SH bulbs, but with the present accepted 07′ SH quantity from exporters and production limit in actual field, we can’t expect the noticeable increase (not more than 2 millions?), it’s totally impossible to cover the NL crop’s decrease.
The lower cut flower price in last autumn should make you shocked. But to supply enough lilies for Market needs is quite important for production areas.
For don’t be off guard against imported lilies from Asia, we hope your more products in domestic productions.

The quantity of Imported Lily Bulbs

	NL crop 05’	NL crop 06’	Difference from last year
December	13,694,610	9,615,295	-30%
January	29,595,475	27,191,816	– 8%
February	22,793,591	18,656,786	-18%
March	17,263,838	20,638,396	+20%
Total	83,347,514	76,102,293	– 9%
Annual total	About 147,002,000	？

From plant quarantine statistic, prompt report on Apr. 6th. 2007, Plant Protection Station, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan