Aalsmeer Flower Auction (VBA) saw a 6.5 per cent increase in growth in 2002. This figure slightly exceeded the Netherlands' total market growth of 5.7 per cent.

Cut flowers achieved turnover figures in excess of euro1bn, an increase of 4.5 per cent. The turnover for houseplants grew by 8.9 per cent to euro455million. The subsidiary Hobaho, active in the bulbs sector, ended the year with a slight decrease in turnover at euro185m.

Some 85 per cent of products traded at Aalsmeer are destined for export. And as the global market continues to promise significant opportunities for further growth, sales of flowers and plants are expected to increase in the next few years in southern and eastern Europe in particular, .

The last twelve months has seen significant investments to extend the Aalsmeer marketplace with new accommodation for exporters and wholesalers and a new logistics system, the Aalsmeer Shuttle. As the world's biggest market place, Aalsmeer handles 21 million units a day originating from 7,000 nurseries across the globe.

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