The Dutch greenhouse horticultural area has dropped to 8,960 hectares. This means the area has reached its lowest point of the 21st century. The decline is entirely due to the Dutch ornamental plant cultivation. The area of vegetables under glass is about to reach the record level of 2010/2011.
Estimates 2017
The figures are from the CBS (the Dutch Central Statistical Office). The statistical agency has announced the first estimates of 2017. Most vegetables are fairly stable: aubergines decreased by 10 hectares, cucumbers increased by 20 hectares, bell pepper decreased by 20 hectares and tomatoes increased by 30 hectares.
Records in strawberries and in cultivation
Noticeable are the records that will be broken. The area of covered strawberry cultivation will reach 400 hectares this year (330 hectares under glass and 70 in tunnels). Plant growers have also done well in recent years. They will reach an area of 500 hectares.
Ornamental plant cultivation is dropping
Figures show that the area under glass (flowers, plants, vegetables) will decrease more rapidly this year than in previous years, by 300 hectares. The greenhouse area will amount to 3,520 hectares throughout the country, compared to 3,820 hectares last year.