The applications have been made, the procurement is in motion and the first plants should be in the greenhouse next year. The Bommelerwaard nursery, Kreling Aardbeien, will be building a 20 hectare strawberry greenhouse in Zuilichem in Gelderland under the name Dutch Berries BV.
Traditionally, Gijbert Kreling grows chrysanthemums. As of a few years ago the businessman has also been growing strawberries on 7.5 hectares under the name Kreling Aardbeien. And this activity is being expanded greatly next year. In the long term the nursery could even grow to 28 hectares of greenhouse. "There is a lot of interest for large volumes from the market," says Boudewijn van der Wal, financial director. "Retail is demanding it and this is why we have confidence in this project. Thanks to the scale size you can also package on location. We would really already be working at a DC level which makes the lines to market very short. This makes you able to be a partner for the future. Together with Veiling Zaltbommel we are further 'processing' the market to be able to make the growth."
The nursery is located on a 37 hectare plot. Construction will start next year: 2x10 hectare greenhouses and water basins. "We want to pot the plants in August, Elsanta," says Boudewijn. The greenhouse will be made of clear glass with 2x AR-coating, a 8 metre rail and the Swing system: 8 gutters in the 8 metre rail, which can be moved through the horizontal thread. This can widen the work path and optimise the number of plants per m2.