On 9 January 2024, an amazing event for the flower industry in Poland took place – a one-day training course on trade, assortment and quality of cut flowers. The venue for this inspiring seminar was the prestigious MCC Mazurkas conference centre in Ozarow Mazowiecki.

Representatives from well-known retail chains such as Netto, Auchan, Carrefour, Dino and Arhelan participated in the training and received a certificate recognised by the VGB (the Dutch flower and plant wholesale association).

For almost 20 years, the flower and plant market in Poland has been growing steadily. However, its dynamic development took place several years ago – when Polish retail chains decided to expand their assortment to include flowers. Since then, the category has been constantly growing and requires a continuous expansion of expertise.

The aim of the training was precisely to enable buyers to gain such knowledge about the cut flower assortment, to help them sell successfully, communicate effectively with suppliers and learn about flower quality issues. The training was provided by Lucas Jansen of Floweracademy – a renowned and independent teacher with almost 40 years of experience in the field of cut flower and pot plant assortment and quality, as well as category and customer management. He has experience of running workshops all over the world for both modern and traditional supermarket chains, garden centres or DIY stores.

The training day for participants started with an official welcome by the organisers and a presentation on the flower market by Ms Roksana Gruner from the Dutch company Zyon. Then, presenter Lucas Jansen led the buyers in turn through the various segments of the training such as nomenclature, assortment, characteristics and specifications of cut flowers, factors affecting quality at all stages of the chain, pre-treatment or waste reduction.

The training was organised by the Fresh Market team with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Poland, and the Dutch Just Chrys Foundation, which has been promoting chrysanthemums on the Polish market for years, became the event’s partner.