Aalsmeer - Flower Auctions

Just outside the town of Aalsmeer is the huge auction complex, established in 1928, in which more than 7 billion cut flowers (some 50% roses and 10% carnations) and over 150 million plants are sold annually. Some 80% are exported, over half of them to Germany.

The Aalsmeer auctions, together with the other Dutch flower auctions, determine the international price levels of flowers and plants, since 60% of all exports come from the Netherlands. The average annual value of these exports is over $3 billion. The Aalsmeer auctions are held Monday to Friday, starting at 6:30am. Activity, however, continues round the clock.