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Substrate: Shortage, supply and solution

The days around the solstice are often seen as spiritual. During this period, many people feel more connected to Mother Earth and more grounded. We'll help you embrace that feeling by publishing 10 stories on substrates. Some on the shortage, and some on suppliers with possible solutions.

© Brad Calkins | Dreamstime

Raw material shortages put West European substrate market under pressure
Supplies of key raw materials such as peat and coir for the West European substrate market have dropped to historically low levels. The main reasons? Persistent bad weather in peat- and coir-producing regions, combined with rapidly growing global demand, especially from Asia, which leaves less product available for West Europe .

© Pindstrup

Pindstrup acquires Compaqpeat

Pindstrup Mosebrug A/S is expanding its operations with the acquisition of family-owned Compaqpeat. With the increased production capacity, Pindstrup will be able to meet the continuously growing demand and further strengthen its market position. The investment also offers clear synergies for both companies. For Compaqpeat, joining forces with Pindstrup strengthens its foundation and opens new prospects for employees, customers, and partners.

Historic peat shortage continues, coir prices rise due to scarcity
Dutch Association of Potting Soil and Substrate Producers (VPN) has issued an update regarding developments in raw materials for substrates 2026, following last months information on the situation regarding raw materials for substrates. In particular, the availability of peat and coir is causing a scarcity.

Party at Botanicoir! The company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and Samantha and Kalum Balasuriya celebrated the milestone at the fair. More to follow!© Daan Sturm | HortiDaily.com

"Bridge between raw material supply and the needs of professional growers"

Coir substrate might seem like a default option in the horticultural industry nowadays, but when Botanicoir was founded 20 years ago, coir was still a relatively new concept for many horticultural markets. "Our role has always been to act as a bridge between raw material supply and the needs of professional growers", recalls Kalum Balasuriya. "Over the past 20 years, we've become known for reliability, service, and quality. For many growers, we're not just a supplier but a partner in their success."

© InnoPhyteHistoric peat shortage continues, coir prices rise due to scarcity

As energy costs climb, labour shortages tighten operations, and input supplies grow less predictable, like with the recent global substrate shortage, the horticulture industry is in a period of reflection and adaptation. Katia Zacharaki, plant scientist at Niab and Director of InnoPhyte, who has extensive experience in vertical farming, hydroponics, and strawberry cultivation, shares about both challenges and opportunities in the industry.

© Coir Media

"Giving growers confidence that their substrate partner is always ready"

As demand for eco-friendly growing media is quickly increasing globally, CoirMedia is further building its manufacturing capacity with a new factory focused on high-quality grow-bag production. CoirMedia has opened a new manufacturing plant to manufacture grow-bags to cater to the growing demand from growers across the globe for CoirMedia substrates. "The plant has the capacity to produce three containers of grow-bags daily, providing a consistent and assured supply to global markets at any time, anywhere", says Abhishek Pravin of CoirMedia.

© Dutch Plantin BV

"The roots now look the way we're used to again"

At the North Brabant, Netherlands based Jongeleen Bell Pepper Nursery, Arie Jongeleen was puzzled by the root problems in his pepper cultivation for many days. The cause of that remained a mystery to him, until the switch to organic substrate made said root problems disappear. "The plants must need something organic," he says.

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