It is the first time in nearly a quarter of a century that the annual show will not take place and is a reflection of the grim state of the Irish economy, hit by recession and with exports down because of the strong euro.

Kildare Nursery Growers chairman Brendan Guilfoyle said: "It is the economy. We have been finding it difficult over the past few years to attract both exhibitors and visitors. Last year, particularly, we felt there was a marked decline in the number of exhibitors we could attract — and we felt this year the outlook was not good either."

Guilfoyle said exhibitor numbers had crashed by 20 per cent in the past year from 184 in 2008 to 150 in 2009, while visitor numbers fell to 2,500 from peaks of 4,000.

Kildare Growers Group and Board Bia said they hoped to revive the show in 2011 for its 25th anniversary after a strategic review, "which will also look at developing the show to incorporate other sectors of horticulture".

Bord Bia will contact key industry players "in the near future" to gain "a deeper understanding of the industry's needs".