Selection and ennoble companies

The first link in the chain of horticulture are the selection and ennoble companies. These companies are trying to develop plants with new and better qualities. Target is the obtaining of races that satisfy each wish of industry, trade and consumer. Almost every company is world-wide active. In advanced laboratories and greenhouses, the newest techniques are applied and tested. They use databanks to save and share the results from tests.

Plantations

Plantations are from origin family companies; small and well-organized. But they are growing every day and they get more professional. Flowers, vegetables or plants are produced on the plantations, mostly in greenhouses. When they are full-grown, they are sold by the auction or become directly to merchants. But young plants are sold too, mostly to other plantations in the Netherlands or other countries.

Growers are driven men, with a passion for their product. Top-quality is the most important thing for growers.

Auctions

Every day, parcels of flowers, vegetables and plants change from owner on an auction. The price of the product depend on supply and demand, using an auction bell. The auctions take care of the cooling, quality control, packing and distribution. The number of auctions decreases, but the remainders are growing bigger and bigger. For example, the big auction The Greenery arise from nine smaller auctions in fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. In the flower sector, the auctions Aalsmeer and Flora Holland (which one we visited Tuesday) are leading.

Trade

The trade is just as various as its buyers. Some companies are specialized in supermarkets, import, special affairs or export. As well as purchase and sale, the trade is responsible for packing, quality control and –preservation, transport and logistics. It’s a big world-wide dynamic business, and we all benefit from it!