On Thursday 20 November, the Federation of Salad Producer Organisations (FVO) presented the results of the Reward & Pricing (true value) study into the social costs and benefits of the high‑tech salads sector. The main conclusion is that greenhouse horticulture (salads) is transparent about its environmental costs of EUR 688 million and that active efforts are being made to reduce this impact.
Hightech salad growers transparent about impact
This study placed price tags on the environmental impact of greenhouse horticulture (salads), based on data from more than 300 salad growers. In collaboration with CE Delft, this impact has for the first time been made transparent and expressed concretely in euros.
Ambition of the high‑tech salads sector
“We do not want to be merely a (climate)‑neutral sector, but one that demonstrably adds positive value,” says Jelte van Kammen, FVO board member. “Our ambition is to reduce social costs and increase benefits. That starts with understanding where we stand today. With this approach, we make sustainability concrete, measurable and open for discussion. This is not an end point, but the starting point for the conversation on further sustainability. Sustainable initiatives in greenhouse horticulture deserve greater visibility and appreciation. Together with our chain partners, we can take steps to further reduce costs.”
“As in many other sectors, there is a bill that is currently being paid by nature and future generations. We need to have that conversation together. Who picks up this bill? Is it borne solely by the producer, or are there other parties that should contribute? Thanks to the results of this project, we are able to engage in this important dialogue and, hopefully, accelerate our sustainability transition,” says Emile Stöver, project leader at FVO.
The meeting at the Malietoren in The Hague focused on sharing research findings, dialogue and reflection. Berthe Brouwer (Natuur & Milieu), Imre ter Hedde (Lidl), Alex Datema (Rabobank) and Wilco de Lijster (Ministry of LVVN) formed a Table of Advice. In four rounds of discussions, they shared their views on the social value of greenhouse horticulture. The main conclusion: greenhouse horticulture is showing courage by making its impact fully visible, both positive and negative. The results make it possible to benchmark fairly, set realistic reduction targets and better substantiate investments.
The Table of Advice was impressed by the transparency and sees these insights as a valuable basis for continuing the conversation about the future of the sector at various decision‑making tables. Banks, retailers, government bodies and NGOs all expressed their willingness to take further steps in the sustainability transition together with the sector.
Costs and benefits
The analysis reveals both the costs and the benefits of the sector. On the benefits side, companies produce healthy food and greenhouse horticulture contributes to water purification, energy balance and space‑efficient land use. The results show that, due to intensive cultivation in the Netherlands, the production of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and aubergines saves approximately 167 km² of space each year compared with southern Spain. This is equivalent to around half the size of the Veluwe.
On the cost side, the main factors are the use of fossil fuels (gas) and biomass for energy, and fertilisers used as plant nutrients. Here too, there are still steps the sector can take.
Three hundred salad growers work together in FVO
The Federation of Salad Producer Organisations (FVO) consists of five growers’ associations: Growers United, Harvest House, Oxin Growers, The Greenery and ZON. Together, they are the largest growers’ associations in the Netherlands, representing more than 300 member salad growers producing peppers, aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers and tomatoes. Collectively, they account for over 85% of salads production in the Netherlands.