The Dutch government agency RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) has approved programs from 11 producer organizations in the vegetable and fruit sector. These organizations will receive approximately €165 million in European subsidies to make Dutch vegetable and fruit cultivation more sustainable and efficient.
Measures from the programs focus on energy saving, sustainable energy generation and storage, among other things. These include replacing existing lighting with LED lighting, energy-efficient cooling, solar panels, use of geothermal heat and heat pumps.
Producer organizations are also focusing on growing new products and varieties. For example, the new varieties are less susceptible to extreme weather conditions and climate change. The programs also contribute to innovation and research, such as improved cultivation methods, different crops and technologies.
The grant amount comes from the Sectoral Intervention Vegetables and Fruit (SIG&F) 2025. This is part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The sector itself also contributes almost €79 million.
The following 11 produce organisations are participating in SIF&F. Coöperatie Growers United U.A., Coöperatie Harvest House U.A., Coöperatie Kompany U.A., Coöperatie Koninklijke Fruitmasters U.A., Coöperatie The Greenery U.A., Coöperatie Tolpoort Vegetables U.A., Coöperatieve Telersvereniging De Schakel U.A., Coöperatieve Tuinbouwveiling "Zaltbommel en Omstreken" B.A., Koninklijke Coöperatieve Telersvereniging Zuidoost-Nederland U.A., Telerscoöperatie Fossa Eugeniana U.A. and Telerscoöperatie Oxin Growers U.A.
Source: RVO