The Trade Fair Aalsmeer, organized by FloraHolland is on. And just like in the good old days, the fair is packed with 600 stands, it's downright busy and plenty of visitors from all kinds of (far) away countries are registered. A party as always, and of course FloralDaily and our colleagues of the Dutch newsletter BPnieuws are present there.
Henk de Jong, Ronald Vijverberg, and Romy Jansen with The Orchid Growers; Bram van Marrewijk and Ivo en Mark van Velzen with BM Roses; Robin, John, Bas, and Marcel van Duivenvoorden, the management board of Duif International; and Mikel Olierook, Bart Janssen, and Joke de Groot with Kratiste.
Behind the facade, quite a lot is going on. Energy prices are still high, many growers worry about the future, and there's lots of uncertainty. Not to mention prices of raw materials and personnel, inflation, negative perceptions, and so on. At the same time, the cramped mood of doom of only one or two months ago has calmed down a bit: we're still here and, we suspect, we're going to stay here for a while.
Steven van Schilfgaarde gives the award to Chiel en Sjors Hazeu.
The Greenovation Award has been presented to Hazeu. The brothers Chiel and Sjors devised a hexagonal cultivation pot which, in combination with a new cultivation collar and ditto tray, saves 20 percent on energy. The second prize was for the Alstroemeria Minstral, a CO2-neutral flower produced by Tesselaar Alstroemeria. Bronze was for the Floral Trade Group with Refleur, a concept designed to create more awareness of sustainability among customers and growers.
The fair can still be visited today (until 5 p.m.) and tomorrow (until 3 p.m.). Location is the auction in Aalsmeer, more information can be found here.