Royal FloraHolland to phase out Naaldwijk independent auction by 2030

Royal FloraHolland (RFH) has announced plans to phase out Naaldwijk as an independent auction site by 2030 at the latest. The decision follows years of declining auction volumes in Naaldwijk, as trade increasingly shifts to Aalsmeer or moves toward direct and online transactions between growers and buyers.

While the independent auction operation and its traditional auction clock will cease, RFH intends to invest over 250 million euros into the Naaldwijk hub to modernize the location. The investment will fund new infrastructure, including improved cleaning facilities for flower buckets and packaging, new spaces for buyers, and expanded loading and unloading areas for trucks.

CEO Pieter Bootsma acknowledged that the decision is far-reaching and will impact staff, growers, and buyers. The company expects a reduction in jobs at the Honselersdijk location, though it noted that much of the decrease may be managed through natural attrition and retirements. RFH aims to transform the site into a modernized logistics hub that connects supply and logistics through a virtual hub, ensuring the Westland region remains a central point for the sector.