States Mari van den Heuvel in the message from Glastuinbouw Nederland as written below. Mari works at Genson Group and is also administratively active in the sector: "There are many family businesses in greenhouse horticulture. The family and the company coincide there: the company is their whole life. High energy prices are now wiping that out at many farms. That is intense. There are a lot of emotional conversations at kitchen tables at this time. Where should we live if we have to stop? How will we earn our money? I really feel sorry for them."
"I am a regional director of industry organization Glastuinbouw Nederland for Brabant and Zeeland. I also hear many stories from entrepreneurs from other directors. The impact of high energy prices is huge. Some companies have decided to stay empty this winter. For many companies, this is more than a delay of a few months. Take Phalaenopsis: that is a two-year crop, so stopping for a few months has long-term implications.
This has a big impact not only on the companies and families but also on employees, buyers, and consumers. An example: we grow strawberries ourselves within the Genson Group. We decided to bring forward the winter cultivation slightly, and start the spring cultivation later. That way, we use less energy. But it does result in us producing fewer strawberries in a certain period. More greenhouses will be empty this winter, resulting in lower supplies and higher prices.
How I see the future? After rain comes sunshine. But I fear that that sunshine will come too late for many horticultural companies. That's why I hope many consumers sign the petition that they feel solidarity with affected horticultural entrepreneurs. And that they see how everything is connected: high energy prices mean higher prices for vegetables, fruit, flowers, and plants.
Everyone wants fresh tomatoes and strawberries and beautiful plants and flowers at an affordable price. But will that still be possible in the near future? Where will those products come from? From abroad? And are you sure those products are sustainably produced?"
The grower calls on greenhouse horticulture to support and sign the petition.
Source: Glastuinbouw Nederland