FloraHolland is worldwide known as the largest flower auction in the world. As a cooperative organization we offer our member growers a marketplace to trade their products. Although many flowers and plants are grown in the Netherlands, the flowers traded via FloraHolland origin from 60 different countries. E.G. yearly about 90.000 tonnes of cut flowers are exported from Kenya to the Netherlands by sea and air, to be traded and distributed further throughout the world.
Visibility throughout the supply chain
A fast and reliable supply chain is crucial for the transport of perishable goods such as flowers. Earlier this year we made a full analysis of the administrative process related to the shipment of flowers from the farm in Kenya to the customer in the Netherlands. Much effort is put in the preparation of documents, and specifically in correctness of documents required for export and import. Still, because so many actors are involved in this process (20 identified) and information is handed from one to another by different means, there is a lack of visibility. Errors can slip in or paper documents can get lost, often to be noticed at crucial points in the process, resulting in the need for immediate corrective measures and the risk of delaying shipments and non-compliance.
Documentation involved in trade of flowers
The trail of a phytosanitary certificate
In the demonstrators, our aim is to improve the supply chain reliability and efficiency. As a first step, we aim to improve reliability by visibility in the status of consignments (‘Have all administrative conditions been met’? ‘Are there changes in ETA’?). The improved visibility will enable actors to take action proactively, thereby minimizing the need to take corrective measures at critical points in the supply chain. The improved visibility will furthermore allow Customs to conduct a more effective risk assessment before arrival of the flowers in the EU.
Ultimately we aim to diminish the need for paper documents, minimize data entry and reduce physical inspections, and thereby contribute to improved efficiency.
So, what is our status?
The first phase currently under development until October comprise a technical setup, consisting of a pipeline set-up for information sharing, and a business dashboard and government dashboard for visibility purposes. Via optional dual filing the Customs dashboard will receive notifications on newly available information.
In parallel we continue to refine the visibility requirements for the dashboards to be tested in the living lab by the end of the year. This will set the ground for further improvements along the project.