According to the to ZVG (Zentralverband Gartenbau e.V.), Germany is self-sufficient in the production of pot plants to the tune of 46-66% and 20% for flowers. The total value of flower and ornamental plant production in the year 2000 was about Euro 1.2 billion with imports at Euro1.6 billion and exports at Euro 162 million. The ZVG is the holding organization for all branches of German horticulture. Some 14.600 Nurseries specialize in ornamental plants and flower production that extends to 7.810ha of which protected cultivation is 3.380ha. The Rhineland and Westphahlia are the only areas in Germany where the production of ornamental plants is still expanding. The biggest by volume is of bedding plants because the % transport cost makes imports from Holland uneconomic. There is a large production of heathers (Erica gracilis in particular), pot plants and some ornamental trees & shrubs (though the main production area for trees and shrubs is further North). Competition for German growers is very high because of the imports from Holland, lower energy costs for Dutch growers and realtively cheap production from Poland.