The Netherlands: the land of flowers

For people all over the world, the Netherlands is synonymous with colourful flowers. The flower trade is one the Dutch economy’s most important sectors and the Netherlands is a world leader in breeding flowers and plants, in sustainable and innovative glasshouse cultivation methods and in trade. More than half the global trade in flowers and plants passes through Dutch auctions. The Dutch flower auction is the largest in the world and, to ensure year-round trade in flowers, the Netherlands also imports many flowers, mainly from Africa and Israel. This nation, with Westland and Aalsmeer at the heart of the global flower trade, imports more flowers than any other country in the European Union. Consumers love to express their emotions with plants and flowers as the expressive shapes and colours of the blooms symbolise beauty and sensitivity while plants contribute to beautiful and healthy surroundings.