In 2023, the average balance sheet total for Dutch greenhouse businesses was €4.4 million per company, according to data from Agrimatie. Nearly a quarter of that value was tied up in land. Buildings and greenhouse structures accounted for just under €700,000. The largest item on the balance sheet was 'other tangible assets'—including installations, machinery, and equipment—valued at over €1.4 million.
Long-term debt dropped to an average of just over €1.1 million. Thanks to the rising value of assets and strong economic performance, equity increased further to an average of €3 million. As a result, the solvency ratio rose to an average of 68%—a significant improvement compared to the 33% solvency rate during the economic crisis in 2013.
The balance sheet value of potted and bedding plant businesses (averaging €5.5 million) and greenhouse vegetable growers (averaging €4.9 million) was higher than that of cut flower operations, which averaged €3 million. For vegetable growers, land was the largest asset, accounting for nearly 30% of the total. In the potted and bedding plant sector, plant inventory represented about 15% of the company's total value.
Solvency in greenhouses was low compared to the land-based sectors in agriculture and horticulture but has increased significantly in recent years. The three subsectors together had a solvency of 68%. Around this average, there was a very large dispersion between companies: 20% of the companies have a solvency of less than 54%. On the other hand, 20% of the companies also have a solvency of more than 99%. This means that these companies are financed (almost) without external capital.
Source: Agrimatie