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"Greenhouse horticulture must disappear from the Netherlands." That, at least, is the message Klaas Knot, the president of De Nederlandsche Bank, recently proclaimed in the TV program Buitenhof. According to him, greenhouse horticulture is a form of economic activity where production takes place below true cost price. The benefits do not outweigh the costs, both financial and ecological. Knot argues for a halt to greenhouse horticulture, just like the meat processing industry and distribution centers. He believes the Netherlands should focus on sectors that provide more added value, such as the knowledge economy, healthcare, and energy transition.
Knot's statements sparked many reactions, especially from the greenhouse horticulture sector. The industry organization Glastuinbouw Nederland invited Knot to a meeting to show him all that greenhouse horticulture contributes to the Dutch economy and society. For example, the organization pointed to the sector's innovative power, export value, employment, and sustainability. The organization also emphasized that greenhouse horticulture plays an essential role in food supply and food safety, especially in times of crisis.
Not unambiguous
Who is right in this discussion? Is greenhouse horticulture a sector that the Netherlands would do better to do away with, or is it a sector that the Netherlands should actually cherish? The answer is not as simple as Knot makes it seem. Greenhouse horticulture is not one homogeneous sector but a collection of different crops, companies, regions, and markets. Some parts of greenhouse horticulture are indeed vulnerable and unprofitable, while others are thriving and innovating.
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