Order Picking Flowers in Aalsmeer: next step on 10 and 24 September

Royal FloraHolland is gradually transitioning to order picking and delivery within selected time slots. Careful implementation remains our top priority. We gain experience, learn and optimise before taking the next step. In Rijnsburg and Naaldwijk, all flowers and plants are now processed through order picking. In Aalsmeer, all plants and approximately 25% of flowers are currently processed through order picking. This September, we are taking the next step in Aalsmeer by expanding order picking to additional flower auction groups. The auction groups included in this next phase are listed below. 

Which auction groups and when?

The following auction groups will switch to order picking from 10 September: 

• 10 - Bouvardia  
• 27 - Exclusive refrigerated  
• 30 - Eremurus grp  
• 45 - Lathyrus  
• 48 - Nerine grp  
• 59 - Forced shrubs  
• 67 - Forced shrubs bunches  
• 92 - Replaced/Reclassified Cl 11  
• 122 - Dianthus barb.grp  
• 141 - Summerflowers  
• 143 - Celosia  
• 282 - Camp/Clem/Scab  
• 344 - Zantedeschia 
• 508 - Connect vr kcel 8 gr 
• 680 - Cymbidium gr bl tak 
• 690 - Cymbidium mini p tak 

The following auction groups will switch to order picking from 24 September: 

• 28 - Dianthus standard 
• 29 - Dianthus spray  
• 86 - Viburnum opulus  
• 102 - Hippeastrum GP 
• 110 - Rosa spray 110 
• 120 - Mathiola/Veronica/Amarant 
• 128 - Bupleurum grp
• 129 - Solidago grp
• 130 - Carthamus grp 
• 164 - Rosa spray Novelties
• 173 - Additional Trade  
• 200 - Rosa 200 
• 271 - Hippeastrum 
• 292 - Hyacinthus 
• 322 - Lilium orientalis 
• 323 - Lilium longiflorum 
• 324 - Lilium la/asiaticum  
• 327 - Lilium Oriental GP+ 
• 351 - Narcissus/Muscari  

For the auction groups that are transitioning, Floriday Daytrade will not be available during the first few weeks after the switch.

Order picking creates a number of changes and opportunities:

For growers 
The auction sequence of auction groups will no longer depend on the logistical set-up of supply on trolleys. From September onwards, the auction sequence will be determined by randomly selecting growers by administration number. In addition, you as a grower will have more flexibility to determine the sequence in which your products are auctioned.

For buyers 
The auction sequence will no longer determine the delivery sequence. This means that flowers purchased early in the auction may not always be delivered first.You may receive your purchases in a different order than you were used to in the former distribution process.

Product inspection
Flowers included in the transition to order picking will be displayed differently. This means a change to the way products are inspected before the auction. The set-up is similar to that used in Cold Stores 035 and 138, where order picking is already in operation. To support the transition, new functionalities are being developed in the RFH Pre-Auction app. Buyers in Aalsmeer will receive further information before 24 September.

Order picking is part of Strategy 2030, through which Royal FloraHolland is building fit-for-purpose logistics and more efficient hubs. The aim is to create a more uniform and future-proof logistics process across all hubs. This applies both to auction logistics and to direct trading transactions via Floriday Daytrade.

Next steps
If everything progresses smoothly in September, we will determine whether and when the next transition phase can be introduced and which auction groups will be included. Royal FloraHolland will continue to engage with growers and buyers to identify the most suitable way forward together.

Questions about order picking?
Would you like to know more or do you have any questions? Please contact the Customer Contact Centre or your Account Manager.