Veiling Rhein-Maas turned in a product turnover of €334 million last quarter. This corresponds to a marked increase compared to the third quarter of 2022.
This development was mainly due to grown demand and high average prices. At the same time, the wet and cool weather in July and August led to lower volumes, especially in outdoor products. "We are satisfied with the current development, especially as this is not a foregone conclusion given the market conditions. Veiling Rhein-Maas, like companies in almost all sectors, will have to continue to anticipate price increases in many areas, such as energy and labor costs, in the near future. This also means that we will have to regularly scrutinize and optimize our revenue and cost structures," said Günther Esser and Cees Hoekstra, board members of Veiling Rhein-Maas.
Market situation
At the end of September, turnover in the cut flower auction was slightly above last year's. This was due to outstanding sales in most periods of the year and higher average prices. The aforementioned cool weather in July and August boosted cut flower sales, and higher average prices were achieved than in the same period last year. However, the quantities delivered were slightly below last year's level, as due to weather conditions, flowering slowed down, and not enough could be harvested. In the hot and dry September month, it took some time before the last available outdoor crops came back into production and could be sold well. In cut flowers, however, the beautiful and warm late summer caused a noticeable reluctance to buy.
Overall, pot plant sales were characterized by good demand and high average prices at levels above those of last year. The quantities supplied were especially lower than planned in July and August, mainly due to the absence of a second or third production round in bedding plants. Sales of typical autumn products, such as callunas, good-quality chrysanthemum bushes, and outdoor arrangements and bowls, were picked up only in mid-September due to summer temperatures. All in all, the potted plant year at the auction remains successful.
The number of buyers at the auction hall in Herongen was slightly above the level of the same period last year. The importance of the digital marketing channels, remote buying, clock presales, and webshop remained stable. Over 50 percent of Veiling Rhein-Maas' customer base now participates in the auction online and thus from outside. Up to and including September, turnover in clock sales for cut flowers was up by one-third compared to the same period last year, and for potted plants by as much as two-thirds.
Marketplace grows
Following the commissioning of the new Logistics Resource Centre (LMC) at the beginning of July, Veiling Rhein-Maas implemented further measures in the 3rd quarter as part of the overall 'Location 2025' project. For instance, following the relocation of the CC depot in Hall R, conversion measures were carried out to facilitate new tenants. At the beginning of August, two large customers, who, together with Veiling Rhein-Maas, want to grow further at the Herongen location, moved into the vacant space. Since more growth always means more traffic, Veiling Rhein-Maas has implemented several measures in recent months to help reduce or manage traffic congestion.
Current IT topics
Since September 26, customers of Veiling Rhein-Maas can also submit complaints (both on quantity and quality) online in the customer portal. The major innovation is that complaints are assigned directly to a transaction from the transaction overview in the customer portal. This eliminates the need for additional information about the transaction, thereby avoiding misunderstandings and errors. In addition, photos of the complaint can be uploaded to the customer portal, and the processing status of a complaint can be viewed by the customer at any time. Complaints are automatically forwarded to the appropriate department and/or contact person. All in all, the new complaint function is a very convenient further development of the customer portal.
Until August 1, it was necessary to deliver two supply letters per load carrier (trolley or CC) to properly process the batch(s). Due to a change in the work process, one supply letter is now sufficient. This halves paper consumption at this point.
Customer and Supplier Day on January 9, 2024
After the interruption due to Covid, the next Customer and Supplier Day of Veiling Rhein-Maas will take place on January 9, 2024. Since the start of Veiling Rhein-Maas, the Customer and Supplier Day has grown to become a popular relationship event in the sector for information, inspiration, and exchange, and, of course, for a cozy get-together at the beginning of the year. The main theme on January 9, 2024, is 'Artificial intelligence and the impact and opportunities for the green sector.' Among other things, there will be an inspiring lecture on this topic.
Trade fair activities and grower visits
On August 22, 2023, Veiling Rhein-Maas attended Florall in Waregem, a trade fair for ornamental plants and nursery products in Belgium, to raise the auction's international profile. The next trade fair participation will take place from November 7 to 9, 2023, at the Trade Fair Aalsmeer in the Netherlands, where Veiling Rhein-Maas will be represented with its own stand (7.28). Veiling Rhein-Maas will also participate in the International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF), which will be held near Aalsmeer in Vijfhuizen from November 8 to 10.
Source: Veiling Rhein-Maas