Cut flower auctioneer Paul Freriks is enthusiastic about Trade Fair Aalsmeer. This year's edition was better attended than ever, and it offered great opportunities for networking. Moreover, the Ilex season, a true Christmas product, got off to a good start. And a good start is half the battle!
"What a good fair it was again this year! I spoke to and met a lot of people again at Trade Fair Aalsmeer. Growers, buyers, and breeders (both national and international) were present. The exhibitors had their flowers and plants beautifully displayed in the stands, and other growers and buyers attended as visitors."
"The Trade Fair is not only a good place to witness and admire all the trends and novelties (new flowers and plants), it is also an excellent place for networking. It is the ideal place to meet many familiar and new contacts in a relatively short time. A number of auctioneers, including me, were present this year together at the Royal FloraHolland booth. Current topics that came up a lot at the fair included member packages, the Central Auctioning for Roses, the setting of a minimum price, and the cessation of FHS (Flower Handling Services) operations. There was plenty of news to discuss.
Prices are reasonable to good
Historically, the weeks surrounding the Trade Fair are never very strong in terms of demand and prices, but remarkably, this year, prices at the cut flower auctions during the week of the fair were generally fair to good. The supply and demand were nicely balanced.
Cut hydrangeas continued to be supplied in reasonable quantities. The supply of fresh hydrangeas did decrease, and that of colored hydrangeas (the classics) was still relatively large. Prices of these are also good this year. Products such as cut, berry, and forced shrubs are currently in good demand.
Ilex season is off to a flying start
The Ilex season has also just started. Cut Ilex is a typical Christmas product with a strong seasonal character. Around November, their supply increases significantly in a short time, and the demand also takes off in the run-up to Christmas. "It is amazing to see how great the demand is every year and how much is marketed in such a short time. I continue to find it beautiful. It is a wonderful product to auction. What we are also seeing so far is that the quality of cut Ilex is good this year. Many growers are getting beautiful red berries, a good berry density, and a nice branch structure. And with a good start, half the battle is won!"
"The Christmas season is also bursting forth for plants. We see a lot of creativity in the arrangements: snowmen, baubles, moose, glitter, and so on are eagerly used. Poinsettias, Christmas trees, and hellebores are also in great demand. So we are getting right into the Christmas spirit!"
Are you a buyer or supplier and want to know more about sales or buying through the clock auctions? Contact the Customer Contact Center of Royal FloraHolland (tel 088 789 89 89) and ask for an auctioneer or account manager. We will be happy to personally show you around the growing world of flowers and plants.