Where can organic growers find organically grown young plants now that the major propagation company Plantenkwekerij Jongerius has ceased operations (link in Dutch)? That's the question currently keeping the market busy. GrowOrganiX and Biological Youngplants are working on a solution.
"Like many others, we were completely taken by surprise by the sudden shutdown of all operations at Plantenkwekerij Jongerius in Houten," say Lodewijk Stolk and Wim van Marrewijk, speaking on behalf of both companies. "Since last Friday, we've been working non-stop to offer all organic fruiting-vegetable propagators an alternative, so that their upcoming season won't suffer any serious setbacks."
According to GrowOrganiX and Biological Youngplants, significant progress has already been made through close cooperation with partners. "With the support of SKAL, we hope to provide suitable solutions to the remaining propagators by the end of this week."
The two companies note that smaller growers have also reached out, as their supplier for small quantities of organically certified vegetable plants and herbs has now disappeared. "We've been in intensive discussions about how to fill this gap, especially since these crops must continue to be available as certified organic material."
Large part of crops covered
GrowOrganiX BV and Biological Youngplants have agreed to jointly produce a wide range of fruiting vegetable crops, herbs, ginger, wasabi, and celeriac, all in full compliance with EU Organic standards. Both companies have many years of experience growing these crops. "When it comes to lettuce and brassicas, we're happy to leave those to other specialists in the field."
GrowOrganiX BV and Biological Youngplants promise to make their products available in various delivery forms and are confident that this collaboration will help fill the gap currently left in the market. The closure of Plantenkwekerij Jongerius marks the loss of yet another major player in organic young plant propagation, following the earlier decision by Plantise to cease operations a few years ago. Plantenkwekerij Jongerius operated on an area of over 20 hectares.
To gain insight into what companies are now looking for and where GrowOrganiX and Biological Youngplants can assist them, the two Westland companies request everyone who might want to use their services to contact them at email address: [email protected]
"We request you to report at the above email address so that from a central point we can coordinate all your questions and wishes and provide clarity in the short term. Within both our organizations, we will announce the name of a central contact person shortly."
For more information:
GrowOrganiX BV
[email protected]
www.groworganix.nl/nl
Biological Youngplants BV
[email protected]
www.biologicalyoungplants.com
