A merger between the world’s two biggest flower auctions – Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer and FloraHolland – would create an ‘absolute monopoly’, flower traders told the Financieele Dagblad today.

‘Soon there will be no price variation. We will have lost a trading instrument, two auctions keep each other on their toes,’ said Aad de Boer of Hilverda de Boer, which books annual turnover of €100 mln. The merger has to be approved by the Dutch competition authority.