Rabobank: Greenhouse vegetable production in Netherlands will be lower in 2023 due to high energy costs

In 2022, greenhouse horticulture has already started using approximately 25% less energy than in the same period of 2021. High energy prices provide extra keen awareness of costs. Many greenhouse growers have already invested in extra screens or economical LED lighting. Part of the decrease is also the result of the mild weather in the past winter season. Furthermore, there was already vacancy last winter, something that is expected even more this winter. In 2023, Rabobank expects a production decrease of between 5 and 10% for greenhouse vegetables. On the one hand this is the result of a small decrease in the area, on the other hand the decrease is caused by less cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers under artificial light. The largest decrease takes place in the first quarter, because normally the illuminated greenhouse vegetables come onto the market just then. It is still unclear what the consequences will be in the second and third quarters of 2023. As a result, the offer can ...