Cold Storage Brings Stability to the Greenhouse Climate
Genap has introduced insulated water‑storage silos that act as both cold and heat buffers for greenhouse climate control. The system was piloted in a Harvest House/CombiCoop tomato greenhouse, allowing the heat pump to run longer at steady capacity and cutting fossil‑based heating. After one winter and spring cycle, growers reported measurable reductions in gas and CO₂ consumption. Ongoing work aims to add heat‑storage capability and smarter use of outside air.
Bringing Talent, Tech and Growth to GreenTech Amsterdam
GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 convenes leading experts from June 9‑11 to spotlight Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a catalyst for sustainable food production. The programme spans vision sessions on the Dutch “Diamond” model, tech showcases of autonomous greenhouse steering and automation pathways, and...
Vertical Farming in the Netherlands: New Business Cases and Hybrid Approaches
The Fieldlab Vertical Farming event at the World Horti Center examined the sector’s shift from hype to realistic business models. Speakers highlighted hybrid growing—combining vertical farms with traditional greenhouses—as a scalable solution for the Dutch market. An economic model underscored...
Priva to Showcase Integrated Greenhouse Technology at GreenTech 2026
From June 9‑11, 2026 Priva will exhibit at GreenTech 2026 in Amsterdam, highlighting its new Priva One operating system. The platform consolidates climate control, irrigation, energy and labour management into a single interface, eliminating the need for disparate solutions. Features such as...
Genetic Location of Primocane-Fruiting Discovered in Blackberries
A team of horticulture scientists led by University of Arkansas researcher Margaret Worthington identified a single genomic region on chromosome Ra03 that controls primocane‑fruiting in blackberries. Using genome‑wide association and linkage mapping, they pinpointed two DNA markers, PF1 and PF2,...
Decarbonizing Desert Greenhouse Crop Production with Direct Air Capture–Based CO2 Enrichment
Researchers evaluated two adsorption‑based direct‑air‑capture (DAC) systems—temperature‑vacuum‑swing (TVSA) and moisture‑swing (MSA)—as on‑site CO₂ enrichment for high‑tech desert greenhouses. Using techno‑economic and life‑cycle models, they found DAC can match the levelized cost of trucked liquid CO₂ while delivering lower climate‑change impacts...
Postharvest Yeast Treatments Control Strawberry Rots and Shift the Fruit Microbiome, Study Finds
A study published in Postharvest Biology and Technology demonstrates that two antagonistic yeasts, Aureobasidium pullulans and Metschnikowia pulcherrima, dramatically curb gray‑mold decay on strawberries during cold storage and subsequent shelf life. Their performance matched that of a commercial Metarhizium‑based bio‑fungicide,...
Tajikistan Solar Greenhouses Support Year-Round Vegetable Supply in Mountain Villages
In Tajikistan’s remote mountain valleys, passive solar greenhouses are allowing households to grow fresh vegetables year‑round despite sub‑zero winters. The simple structures capture daytime heat and release it at night, enabling crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers to be...
Advancements and Prospects in Key Technologies for Robotic Pollination in Greenhouse Pepper Breeding
A new review in Frontiers of Plant Science outlines the current state of robotic pollination for greenhouse pepper breeding, highlighting three core technical domains: flower detection and pose estimation, end‑effector design, and motion‑control strategies. The authors find that existing systems...
“The Goal Is Interoperability Between Systems, Industries, and Trading Partners”
Traceability specialist Zach Zeus of Pyx Global highlights a major opportunity for Australian produce exporters to boost premium positioning through standardized, interoperable traceability systems. The United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP) aims to standardise 80% of data elements across supply chains,...
Dutch Potting Soil Producer Acquires Major Latvian Peat Specialist
Van Egmond Groep, a Dutch potting‑soil manufacturer, has bought all shares of Latvia’s peat specialist SIA Ungiri. The deal adds roughly 550 hectares of peatland and a workforce of about 60 to Van Egmond’s supply chain. Founder‑CEO Ronnie Zomer will remain at...
Agdia Releases Rapid Molecular Test Kit & Service for Emerging Coguviruses in Cucurbit Crops
Agdia, Inc. has introduced a rapid, field‑deployable molecular test kit that detects Watermelon crinkle leaf‑associated virus 1 and 2 (WCLaV‑1, WCLaV‑2) directly in cucurbit fields. The kit is paired with a laboratory service that expands screening to additional cucurbit pathogens. Validation...
Banding System Combines Weighing, Printing, and Data Processing
Bandall has launched SmartBand™, an integrated banding system that combines real‑time data processing, variable printing and optional weighing in a single workflow. The solution, unveiled at Interpack 2026, prints product‑specific information directly onto the band as it is applied, eliminating separate...
Crazy Roots on the Rise Among Tomato Growers in the Netherlands and Germany
Tomato growers in the Netherlands and Germany are confronting a surge in crazy roots, a bacterial disease caused by Agrobacterium rhizogenes that triggers uncontrolled root proliferation and dripper blockages. The increase follows Dutch regulators' ban on continuous hydrogen peroxide dosing,...
CAN: Savoura to Acquire Assets of Productions Horticoles Demers
Quebec greenhouse producer Savoura announced an agreement in principle to acquire the majority of assets of Productions Horticoles Demers, including its 15‑hectare Lévis facility. The deal, pending regulatory and court approvals, will expand Savoura’s cultivated area to roughly 39 hectares...
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin Launches Clock Tower Farms to Aid Community
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has partnered with Rockwell Automation and Fork Farms to launch Clock Tower Farms, a hydroponic facility housed in Rockwell’s Milwaukee headquarters. The farm will operate 72 Fork Farms Flex Acre systems managed by Rockwell’s Plant PAx automation, targeting 200,000 lb of leafy...
Ukraine Growers Shift to Longer-Life and Light-Diffusing Greenhouse Films
Ukrainian growers are now choosing greenhouse films based on service life rather than price per roll, as stronger solar radiation shortens the durability of standard materials. Light‑stabilising additives extend film lifespan, reducing replacement frequency and greenhouse downtime. At the same...
Saudi Grower Announces Greenhouse Expansion Mega-Project
Saudi Dava Agricultural announced a massive expansion that includes a 1,000‑hectare glass greenhouse complex in Taif, part of a broader roadmap to scale production to 250 tons per day by 2028 and 1,000 tons by 2030. The company, which already supplies 13.8%...
US (MI): How an Animator and Architect Launched Petoskey’s First Certified Organic Farm
Anne and Brian Bates transformed 75 acres in Petoskey, Michigan into Bear Creek Organic Farm, the region’s first certified organic operation. Since 2013 the farm has cultivated microgreens, lettuce, herbs and edible flowers, selling produce through an onsite market and...
KVK Nyoma Leads Sustainable Agriculture Initiative in Ladakh
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Nyoma, led by Dr. Phuntsog Tundup, launched a sustainable‑agriculture programme in Ladakh’s Changthang region. The effort distributed UV‑filter greenhouse films to farmers in Tsaga and Kargyam valleys and held a soil‑fertility camp for over 40 growers...
Green Gas & Liquids Achieves Food-Grade bioCO₂ Certification with Galloxol Capture Technology
Green Gas & Liquids announced that its bioCO₂, captured using the proprietary Galloxol carbon‑capture system, has earned food‑grade certification under ISBT and EIGA standards. The technology produces gaseous CO₂ directly from a biomass boiler, eliminating the need for expensive liquefaction....
Oxin Growers Appoints Mark Schreuders as Managing Director
Oxin Growers, a Dutch agricultural cooperative, has appointed Mark Schreuders as managing director effective 19 May 2026. Schreuders, formerly chief commercial officer at Coroos Netherlands and vice‑president of sales at Arla Foods, brings extensive commercial and cooperative experience. The board says his...
1,600 4 Channel LED Fixtures Supplied to Van Oers Fruit
NLight announced the supply of 1,600 × 1,200 W LED fixtures to Van Oers Fruit, covering a 3‑hectare greenhouse—the largest LED lighting project in the Dutch soft‑fruit sector. The fixtures use an 88 % red, 6 % green, 6 % blue spectrum with 6 % far‑red, and can shift...
Spanish Lettuce Dominates EU Markets
Spain continues to dominate the EU lettuce market, accounting for 50.5% of total sales in 2025 with 499.39 million kg exported, generating €690.34 million (≈ $753 million). The EU’s overall lettuce trade reached 988 million kg, valued at €1,578 million (≈ $1.72 billion), showing steady growth despite Brexit‑related statistical shifts....
Silicon-Based Biostimulant Receives EU Certification for Pan-European Rollout
Labin announced that its silicon‑based biostimulant LabiSinergic has secured EU‑wide certification, clearing regulatory hurdles for a pan‑European launch. The product leverages orthosilicic acid, delivered through Labin’s Smart Tech platform, to enhance plant cell‑wall strength and improve resistance to drought and other...
Mexico Introduces New Avocado and Berry Export Certification Rules
Mexico has approved a new agro‑export certification framework that adds labor and environmental verification for high‑value crops such as avocados and berries. The system, to be issued through the Velagro digital platform, will launch a 12‑month pilot focused on avocado...
Taking Exams Among Plants to Improve Concentration
The Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland (PFFH) and industry partners have launched a pilot that places living plant walls in secondary‑school examination halls across four Dutch cities. The green installations aim to cut stress and boost concentration, with research showing...
Creating More Precise Lighting Controls for Greenhouse Growers
Priva has launched Connext 916, a software upgrade that adds micromol‑based lighting control and support for the Horti Light Protocol Exact Light Control. The new version lets greenhouse growers fine‑tune LED spectra and intensity by photon flux rather than simple percentage...
Biodiversity Strips Around Glasshouses Attract More Beneficial Insects, Study Finds
A nationwide monitoring project in the Netherlands found that 250‑m² biodiversity strips planted alongside glasshouse horticulture farms attracted substantially more pollinators and natural enemies than adjacent short‑mown grass. Over six monitoring rounds in 2025, researchers recorded more than twenty times...
Hose Nail Helps Solve Horticulturists' Problems
SR Innovative has launched a patented dripline nail that replaces traditional wooden stakes and knotting in drip‑irrigation systems. The lightweight, ergonomic nail can be reused season after season, cutting about 15 seconds per furrow and translating into days of labor...
“Tomato Prices This Winter Were Among the Highest I’ve Seen in My 25-Year Career”
Tomato prices in winter hit a 25‑year high, with beef tomatoes topping €3 ($3.24) amid supply problems in Spain. Other vegetables show mixed trends: aubergines have fallen to about €0.70 ($0.76), cucumbers are plentiful, and green peppers trade at €2...
Common Tomato Plant Problems and How to Fix Them
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialist Joe Masabni outlines the most common tomato plant problems—nutrient deficiencies, heat stress, herbicide drift, pests and diseases—and practical remedies. He stresses regular fertilization, consistent watering, mulching, and early scouting to prevent yield loss. The guide...
Making the Greenhouse Run Smoother with Optimized Technology
Bosch Growers, operating in the Netherlands and the United States, has integrated Quantified’s sensor platform with its existing Priva climate computer to boost greenhouse data visibility. The system tracks dripper, substrate and slab moisture as well as electrical conductivity, feeding...
Spanish Lettuce versus Vertical Farming: CO₂ Comparison Reveals Unexpected Results
Recent life‑cycle assessments compare lettuce grown in Dutch vertical farms with that cultivated outdoors in Spain’s Murcia region. While vertical farms offer water savings and proximity to consumers, their reliance on grid electricity drives CO₂‑equivalent emissions to about 8 kg per...
Kenya: GDC Conference Opens as Experts Back Geothermal to Power Industrial Growth
The third Geothermal Conference 2026 opened in Nairobi on May 4, highlighting Kenya’s push to make geothermal the backbone of its industrial expansion. Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira underscored that stable power is essential for economic growth, noting Kenya’s rank...
Hydrofarm Holdings, Quality Horticulture Complete Partnership
Hydrofarm Holdings completed its strategic transaction with Quality Wholesale Ltd., transferring Eddi's Wholesale distribution operations in Canada as of April 30 2026. Quality Horticulture, a family‑owned Canadian garden‑center distributor, will acquire Hydrofarm Canada and Eddi's hydroponics product portfolio. The alliance promises uninterrupted...
JumpLights Rounds Out Product Lineup with the Vert, an LED Series Built Specifically for Vertical Racking
JumpLights unveiled the Vert series, a four‑model LED lineup built specifically for vertical cannabis racking. The range spans 420 W to 900 W fixtures, with the Vert 830 delivering roughly 1,000 PPFD and the top‑end Vert 900 adding UV and far‑red channels for custom light...
US (OH): Locals Thrilled at Aquaponic Lettuce
Sweet Melissa’s, a regional salad chain founded in Boardman, Ohio, has partnered with WestWinn Urban Ag to source its lettuce from an indoor aquaponic farm in Sharon. The farm uses a recirculating system that combines tilapia and koi with hydroponic...
"Collaboration with Suppliers and Customers Is the only Way to Meaningfully Reduce Impact"
Best Fresh Group, a Dutch fresh‑produce trader, found that only 4% of its carbon footprint originates from its own operations, while 96% comes from the broader supply chain. The company quantified emissions across purchased products (40%), transport (30%) and processing/packaging...
AmericanHort Announces 2026-2027 Slate of Officers and Newly Elected Leadership
AmericanHort announced its 2026‑2027 board slate, naming Derek Clark of Metrolina Greenhouses as chair and Emily Showalter of Willoway Nurseries as vice‑chair. The leadership team also includes seasoned executives Genevieve Reiner Mills and Robert Saunders as newly elected directors, while...
US (MT): Growing for the Community with a Geothermal Greenhouse
In Baker, Montana, the sixth‑generation Barkley Ranch built a 16‑by‑120‑foot geothermal greenhouse in 2021, opening it in 2022 to mark the farm’s centennial. The air‑to‑air geothermal system keeps the interior above freezing year‑round, enabling the family to grow traditional vegetables...
Australian Snacking Trends Reshape Fresh Produce Demand
Australian consumers now treat snacking as a core eating occasion, but packaged snacks dominate with $9.73 bn in retail sales. Fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts remain popular, yet volumes are slipping as convenience and taste drive choices. Higher prices have lifted...
BioWorks Launches New Crop Protection Agents
BioWorks has launched two new crop‑protection agents, BioNex and Hoplite. BioNex combines natural pyrethrins with canola oil to provide rapid, broad‑spectrum insecticide and miticide action, achieving 97‑98% control in greenhouse trials versus competing products. Hoplite, a selective herbicide formulated with...
Growy Acquires Substrate Maker FoamPlant, Opens GrowFoam to External Growers
Dutch vertical‑farming leader Growy completed the acquisition of FoamPlant, the developer of the biodegradable GrowFoam substrate, in October 2025 and announced it in May 2026. The deal brings all patents, hardware and the 150 m² on‑site production module into Growy’s Amsterdam farm, allowing...
Special GreenTech Kicks Off
GreenTech Amsterdam, slated for next month, will convene leading horticulture technology firms to unveil the latest advances in automation, climate‑control LEDs, AI‑driven yield prediction, and robotic harvesting. The event promises a deep dive into integrated growing concepts that combine hardware,...
Photo Report CPMA Toronto
The CPMA Convention + Trade Show 2026 in downtown Toronto highlighted a surge of tomato varieties at a time when overall tomato supply is tightening. Canadian greenhouse growers led the showcase with snack‑ready tomatoes like Red Sun Farms’ Chef’s Collection and sauce‑grade options such...
"Genetic Resistance Is an Essential Tool, but It Must Be Paired with Other Measures"
At the World Tomato Congress 2026, BASF | Nunhems highlighted that managing Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in southeastern Spain’s greenhouses requires both genetic resistance and rigorous biosecurity. The company showcased three commercial varieties—Fondon, Ivarian and Maaspower—designed to combine virus resistance...
Global Market Overview Asparagus
Asparagus markets worldwide are in a transition phase, with Europe flooded by a post‑heatwave harvest that is depressing prices, while North America faces tighter supplies that keep spot rates elevated. Italy saw a 17.2% weekly price drop to €4‑€4.5/kg (≈$4.4‑$5.0/kg),...
Gros and Amazon Grocery Delivery Service in Rome: Fruit, Vegetables
European and American grocery retailers announced a wave of strategic moves in April 2024. Sweden’s ICA will deploy RELEX’s promotions platform, while Italy’s Gros teamed with Amazon to launch a 10,000‑product delivery service in Rome. In the UK, Lidl and...
Andalucía Exports Grow as Fruit and Vegetable Shipments Increase
Andalucía’s exports rose 11.4% in February to €3.83 billion (US$4.13 billion), outpacing a 0.8% decline across the rest of Spain. Over the first two months of 2026 the region posted €7.03 billion in exports, a 2.8% year‑on‑year gain, while imports fell 13%, creating...