Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award

The recognition for sustainable innovations in floriculture

At Royal FloraHolland, we believe in a thriving future. A future where growth does not come at the expense of people or the environment, but through sustainability and innovation. A future where our members not only deliver great products, but also contribute to a healthy, greener world. Based on this conviction, we created the Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award.

How do we protect our crops and our sector's image?

Increasingly, the media are reporting on environmental organisations that have conducted research on crop protection residues on flowers. This can leave consumers wondering if they can still buy flowers or plants with confidence. What does this mean for the image of floriculture? And how can the industry best deal with this? We asked grower Gijsbert Verboom (Gerbera United, sector campaign Green Power Forward) and Willem-Jan Verdoes (lobbyist for Royal FloraHolland and Glastuinbouw Nederland).

Members have their say

What role does sustainability play in your business?

Jolanda Brummans (Brumbos), Arjan Smit (Smit Flowers) en Lydia Klaver (Klaver Flowers) aan het woord.

Trend Report Sierteelt

Floriculture in figures

The first Floriculture Trend Report has been published. Its purpose is to identify developments and trends from our industry. Important information not only for you - our members, our own cooperative - but also for society. With the results of this Trend Report on Floriculture, Royal FloraHolland seeks to proactively inform the media about developments in our sector. The results are based on responses from growers and buyers. Here are the key points:

PAST / PRESENT / FUTURE

Entrepreneurship over the years

Floor Tesselaar has owned Top Orchid with her brother Joost since 2020. Grandpa Willem founded the company in 1947. Father Peter, still part of the company, initiated a major sustainability and innovation drive some 15 years ago. In addition to her work for Top Orchid, Floor is president of the FPC pot orchid and a member of the Youth Council.

Family-owned Kreling Chrysanthemums on their sustainability initiatives

This year, family company Kreling Chrysanthemums won the Horticultural Entrepreneur Prize. This award is given to businesses in the horticulture sector who excel in entrepreneurship

Every day, millions of flowers and plants from more than 70 countries come to Royal FloraHolland in the Netherlands to be traded through its logistics platform.

Voting result from the member newsletter dated May 27, 2025

The statement: "As a producer, you can only grow through global trade and cooperation."

Chairman's reflections

“I am proud of our industry and I think we should all promote it.”

After a turbulent Mother's Day with a lot of negative publicity in the Dutch media, a trend we unfortunately also see in the international media, we are trying to get the right and factual articles and the real story of what we are all about in our members' newspaper.

Our cooperative in the news

Upcoming events

The issue

The statement: "As a grower, you can only grow through global trade and cooperation."

Agree

Disagree

Voting result from the May members' newsletter

Agree

"International cooperation and trade is important"

"It's the only way to be successful"

"Our products are special and come in larger quantities. This is what I need international buyers for"

"Trade needs to grow"

Disagree

"Global trade and cooperation are important, but certainly not the only path to growth. There are many other ways to grow as a grower - think sustainability, product innovation, automation or direct customer relationships. But the globalisation of floriculture and our role in world trade gives growers wings - even if growth is not the goal".

"Individually, there is nothing to gain from global joint ventures. The differences are too great."

"Sometimes it is good to realise that growth is not always necessary, saving in costs also gives growth in returns. Small is beautiful!"

"As a small grower, global trade is not usually an option but, by treating your product carefully and making the right choices, you can create a good market in your immediate area."

Next time we'll give your reactions in the Members' Newspaper? You will find the new statement in September's Members' Newsletter.