Dutch horticulture is currently characterised by a positive mood. “That is good, but the race is not over yet,” says Hans van Luijk, manager of cultivator’s association Van Nature. “We were very fortunate in a few respects this year. Cultivators then often get into good moods right away, and that is good, because we all have to make sure that supply and demand remain balanced.”
“Our Spanish ‘colleagues’ had a difficult start, climate-wise, after a few good winters. That expresses itself in the poorer quality of the products, and draws attention to the fact that the Netherlands is capable of structurally supplying high quality products,” Hans says. “Furthermore, we have seen much positive interest from consumers for our fruit vegetables, as well as from the government that cooperates in the stimulation of consuming healthy products.”
For Van Nature, the total area increased once again this year. “We have a slight expansion in tomatoes. Additionally, the diversification of products is increasing. Colourful, flavourful and smaller are trends in that. That can be seen with the courgettes and the Courgette Fleurs, for example, but also with tomatoes. Besides, Van Nature has made more permanent and actual agreements with customers through its market and customer focused working method. Cultivators are looking for certainty, and customers want to give that to them. In my opinion, consumers are also taken more seriously because of this, because they are offered the same variety by the same cultivator instead of supply changing every week.”
“Throughout the line, productions started calmly in the Netherlands. After all, we are also dependent on sunshine in Dutch greenhouses,” Hans looks back on the start of the Dutch season. “We have noticed that year-round cultivation is becoming more important in tomatoes, and that illuminated cultivation is increasing. The same can be seen for cucumbers, for which high-wire cultivation is also getting increasingly more important, in addition to illuminated cultivation. The Dutch aubergine area has decreased, while demand for this product increases further, so that builds confidence.”