March is a 'busy peak month' in the floriculture sector, with International Women's Day and the UK Mother's Day serving as key drivers of turnover. It turned out to be a very successful month; a month in which Royal FloraHolland met all targets for logistics services.
An earlier English Mother's Day and Easter compared to last year contributed to a 20% increase in turnover and a 10.7% rise in volume in March. The month was characterised by a higher volume of work (auction and direct) than in 2025.
Overall, logistics performance was good in March. However, there were serious logistical disruptions over a two-day period. These had a major impact on our logistics services to buyers and consequently on the supply chain, particularly at our Naaldwijk hub.
Overall, the period went well. There was good availability of packaging materials and trolleys, which supported smooth operations on the floor. Auction uptime remained very strong at 99.95%, ensuring continuity throughout. In addition, the team showed flexibility by deploying extra capacity when needed, including office staff stepping in to assist with operational tasks.
There were, however, areas that could have been better. During the logistical disruptions, delivery punctuality declined. Several mitigating measures were implemented both during and after these disruptions to stabilise performance and reduce the impact on customers.
Looking ahead to April, the calendar presents a busy period. With Easter falling early and King's Day landing on a Monday, followed closely by the run-up to Mother's Day, we expect a workload similar to the same period last year. To manage the anticipated volume and maintain logistical reliability, Tuesday 28 April, the day after King's Day, has been scheduled as an additional early auction day.
