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Amsterdam flower market's missing blooms
As Amsterdam's famous flower market prepares for its spring season, some of its best selling blooms will be in short supply.
Visitors on Amsterdam city breaks often head for the city's flower market for the best blooms from across the world. But a major blaze in India means some flowers will be in short supply.
No flower consignments have been flown out of Calcutta since a fire destroyed the Mullickghat market a week ago. The blaze razed 240 of the 263 stalls, forcing agents to cancel orders.
Demand has soared in recent years for exports of goldenrods, chrysanthemums, gerberas and east India's famous rajanigandhas crop.
At the peak of the season cargo planes fly out one tonne of flowers every day. Now buyers are having to scour other world markets to get their blooms.
This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Amy Armitage. For more information see: Amsterdam - Tourist trail. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.
