Auctioneer Erik Wassenaar looked forward to that moment when the clock moved back an hour. For him, it's the ultimate sign that autumn has truly begun. The days get shorter, evenings darker, and the auction clock fills up with pumpkins and berries. In this column, Erik shares what's happening at the Royal FloraHolland auction around All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. He talks about the busy market, the effect of fewer roses, and why prices can unexpectedly rise at this time of year.
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"It's full-on autumn now. The season's products and colors are in high demand, and they're everywhere. And this weekend, we turn the clock back again, so it gets pleasantly dark early in the evening, I love that."
The market for All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day
"We're right in the middle of the busy period leading up to early November. November 1 and 2 are All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, mainly Catholic holidays. Of the two, All Souls' Day is the best known, when people remember and honor their deceased loved ones with flowers. Usually, this results in strong prices, but this year things started off slowly. I expect prices will rise sharply in the coming week. One reason is the ongoing shortage of roses. On top of that, customers are placing their short-term orders later and later, sometimes on the very same day! That means there can still be surprising price spikes at the last minute. It's up to us auctioneers to anticipate these shifts and get the most out of the clock."
Fewer roses on the market
"There are simply fewer roses available, and that's causing some tension in the market. In the Netherlands, nearly ten hectares of rose production have disappeared again, mostly because of rising costs. In Ethiopia and Kenya, dozens of hectares are temporarily out of production as well, due to replanting and extreme weather. Even the 'normal' weather patterns aren't cooperating there, so the supply from Africa won't return to normal for a few more weeks.
For me as an auctioneer, that market tension among buyers actually works in our favor. It drives prices up. In the end, it's all about supply and demand, that's exactly what the auction clock was made for."
The weather and supply
"Demand for flowers and plants remains strong, especially for products with rich autumn colors. When certain products are in short supply, buyers tend to choose alternatives, which can push prices higher than expected. So be careful when setting your pre-auction prices—because the clock can make some unexpected jumps.
Right now, the autumn weather is calm, but rain is on the way. Many outdoor crops can handle it just fine, but always pay attention to shelf life and flowering quality. That's how you keep your customers coming back. Heavy wind or storms can cause a lot of damage or loss, and then supply can drop quickly. When that happens—especially with the current rose shortage—the auction clock really comes into its own."
Confidence in the market
"We'll see how the market develops in the coming weeks, and I have every confidence in it! Do you want such a challenging job? We are still looking for a new colleague auctioneer." View the vacancy here and feel free to call with any questions.
