Dutch auctioneer Paul Freriks notes a surge in demand for fall flowers, despite the unseasonably warm weather causing disruptions in the plant market. Freriks sheds light on the rewarding aspect of advising and assisting growers in navigating the floral marketplace.
Paul begins by acknowledging the unusual warmth, with many trees retaining their leaves. However, he highlights the presence of rose hips in his garden, indicating the arrival of fall.
Regarding auction trends, he mentions that the supply and demand for fall products and shades have been steadily increasing. Ornamental fruits, rose hips, and cut hydrangeas are among the well-appreciated items. However, some products, like ornamental apple branches and cut skimmia, face a slower start to the season.
In contrast, the plant market has experienced a slight slowdown following a promising start, mainly due to the exceptionally pleasant weather. The lower demand at auction, coupled with significant supply, has led to reasonable rather than high prices. Flowering houseplants and green plants are fetching moderate to low prices, while orange products and pot chrysanthemums are witnessing growing demand.
Paul emphasizes the role of auctioneers in providing post-auction business advice to growers. Their intimate knowledge of the market enables them to identify opportunities for improvement, such as optimizing product quality, packaging, container selection, and delivery schedules. Paul finds great satisfaction in offering such guidance to growers and witnessing the positive impact on their businesses.
He concludes by inviting those interested in connecting with auctioneers for advice to reach out to the auctioneer at their location. Additionally, buyers and suppliers seeking information on auction sales or purchases can contact Royal FloraHolland’s Customer Contact Center, where dedicated auctioneers and account managers are ready to provide personalized guidance in the world of flowers and plants.