Nearly 10% of Dutch greenhouse growers has expansion plans

Dutch greenhouse growers seem more positive than in previous years because for the second year in a row the percentage of expansion plans has increased. In addition, the percentage of greenhouse growers with plans to close their business has decreased.

This follows from the greenhouse survey ‘Nederlandse GlastuinbouwScanner 2016’ that AgriDirect performs annually. During the telephone survey conducted in the last quarter of 2016, about 1800 Dutch greenhouse growers answered questions about their future and investment plans.

9.9% of the Dutch greenhouse growers has plans to expand operations. This spells an increase for the second year in a row. The percentage in 2014 was 7.7%. This year greenhouse vegetable growers most want to expand (14%). The least expansion plans were found among perennial growers (3.5%).

Compared to 2015, this year there’s a lower percentage of greenhouse growers with termination plans. 8.5% of the Dutch greenhouse growers has plans to cease or reduce operations. This was 9.1% in 2015. Perennial growers have the most termination plans (12.3%). The percentage is lowest among greenhouse vegetable growers (6.2%).

20.7% of greenhouse companies (with a farmer of 50 years or older) have a successor ready to take over. In 10% of the cases the successor is already part of the partnership. The percentage of successors has slightly decreased in recent years. Last year 22.2% could rely on a successor.

Wim van den Boomen, chairman horticulture at ZLTO:

"The industry is more positive than a couple of years ago. Some greenhouse growers probably already had the expansion plans but delayed them in view of the state of the industry. Greenhouse operators are gaining more confidence and are start to invest again. There have always been ups and downs in the industry, but the recent difficult period lamentably took a bit longer. But the fact that greenhouse growers are again willing to invest is a good sign that we’re back on track."

For more information: