NMa will further investigate flower auctions

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has concluded after initial investigation that the proposed concentration between the Coöperatie Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer U.A. and the Coöperatieve bloemenveiling FloraHolland U.A. may create or strengthen a dominant position, possibly impeding effective competition. The Authority has therefore decided that this merger requires a license.

On the basis of its initial investigation, the NMa for the time being considers the market for auction and intermediation services relating to floricultural products to be domestic. In this market the combined shares of the two flower auctions amount to more than 90 per cent. Investigations in the licensing phase will focus on the extent to which sales options that bypass the auction system – both nationally and internationally – are a sufficiently viable alternative to the services provided by the two auctions combined.