Director general Roman Ferenčak said that the hailstorm, which hit the town of Dobrovnik last May, has decreased the company's revenue by 30-40%.

Due to the twelve-month growing cycle, the effects will last until May this year, he explained.

The company is currently operating at 70% capacities, but expects its production will be back at full swing after May.

Ocean Orchids is one of the leading growers of orchids in Central and SE Europe, employing 35 workers.

According to Ferenčak, the European orchid market has been stabilised in terms of the quantity of products.

In case the market gets overwhelmed, the Dobrovnik-based company expects not to be affected due to its local status, which implies shorter transport chains and the company's close proximity to buyers, leading to more competitive prices.

Meanwhile, the construction of its logistics centre, featuring temperature control, in cooperation with Swedish furniture giant IKEA has been put on hold.

The centre is to increase the production and employ 40 people. It is estimated at around EUR 10m, with the government earmarking EUR 2m for it.

Ferenčak said the delay resulted from problems with obtaining the environmental permit, noting that under Slovenian law, a greenhouse is a building just like any other company's new production facility.

He thus urged the agriculture and economy ministries to collaborate with agriculture companies to reform the legislation.

Ocean Orchids, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, sent its orchids to the Vatican City for Easter decorations of St. Peter's Basilica on Monday.

It has thus succeeded to replace Dutch orchid providers for the Vatican's Easter celebrations.

Its delivery headed to the Holy See contains 160 waterfall orchids and 140 double stem orchids.

St. Jacob's church in Dobrovnik will showcase a similar flower arrangement to the one in St. Peter's Basilica.