Product codes

Each product traded through the floricultural auction is identified by its own VBN product code. The code is used in every transaction concluded at the auction. Financial and logistical handling by the auctions is based on the product code system.

The product codes are initially used by the parties involved in trading through the auctions: growers, purchasing traders and the auctions themselves. Product codes can also be used to identify or communicate about a product throughout the chain, from processor to retailer. The current product code database for cut flowers, house plants and garden plants can be found on the FlorEcom site.

Almost 20,000 different plants and flowers are traded by name at the VBN auctions, each with their own product code. On average, 20,000 new products enter the market each year. Products also disappear from the assortment. This means the code database is continually changing. The overview of changes, downloadable from this page, shows recent revisions. New product codes are included in the overview of new product codes.