Traditionally, the greenhouse horticulture sector takes a cautious mid-term review after the summer holidays. "We started off with quite low tomato prices, and the level is still below par, especially when you consider the rising costs we are facing. Unfortunately, the reality is that grower prices remain too low. However, we have been seeing this distorted ratio on the bottom line since 2023," says Erwin Savenije, cultivation manager at Emsland Gemuse, located just across the border in Emsbüren, Germany.
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.comEmsland Gemuse is part of the Emsflower group (ornamentals) and grows tomatoes for German Retail on behalf of marketing organisation Landgard. The bulk of the harvest is sold within the state of Lower Saxony. In the photo: Erwin Savenije.
Changes in variety and cultivation schedule
"Last year, sales were very poor from the start of the season, which ultimately meant large volumes were shipped abroad at very low prices. This prompted us to make a number of changes: for example, this year we increased our total tomato production by 3 hectares to 18 hectares, with more premium vine tomatoes replacing coarse vine tomatoes. This turned out to be the right decision, as sales this year are significantly better and, more importantly, more stable. We also saw strong demand during the holiday period and were even able to support colleagues with our vine tomatoes. Next year, we expect to follow roughly the same cultivation schedule," Savenije continues. The last tomatoes are usually harvested around week 48/49.
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.comSweeterno vine tomatoes
In addition to vine tomatoes, the greenhouse complex also produces cocktail, beef, and cherry tomatoes. At the variety level, Emsland Gemuse is in the middle of transitioning to rugose-resistant varieties: "In cocktail tomatoes, besides Brioso, we are now also trialling the Saint Anna variety, while in the beef tomato segment we are introducing the Falkland as a new variety." In vine tomatoes, however, the transition is proving more difficult, Savenije admits. "We do have some trials with HR varieties, but so far, experience shows that the number of options in our segment, namely taste tomatoes, is still limited." 
© Hugo Huijbers | FreshPlaza.com
Sweeterno tomatoes (l) and beef tomatoes of the Falkland variety. Besides the main harvest from week 26, tomatoes of the Sweeterno variety for the early segment could also be harvested on a smaller scale (about 3.6 ha) from week 17 this year.
Labour from Central Asia
It is not only at the variety level that the sector is seeking solutions, notes the tomato specialist. "Greenhouse horticulture today faces a number of challenges. Energy is fortunately less of an issue for us, since we have been off gas for several years and now use wood boilers. However, we are dealing with a growing labour shortage and rising wages. This year, for the first time, we have seasonal workers from Central Asia, mainly Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, on our farm. Unfortunately, the language barrier and the paperwork involved in employing people from outside the EU do pose some drawbacks."
Meanwhile, trade also faces a moral dilemma: on the one hand, there is demand for regionally grown tomatoes, but on the other, imports from low-wage countries continue year-round on a large scale. "While I can understand the trade-off purely on price, it is about more than just margins. It is above all about ensuring livelihood security for domestic growers."
© Emsland Gemüse
Future of greenhouse farming
Nevertheless, Savenije remains optimistic: "For several years now, we have had trainees from both the Netherlands and Germany working on our farm during the season. These are mostly young people who grew up in horticulture, full of energy, ideas, and ambition. In my opinion, that deserves more recognition." The Dutch-German cultivation company itself is setting an example and keeping its options open for the future. "We are thinking beyond tomatoes and are not dismissing hydrosla, with which we already have some limited experience, or even cucumbers, for example."
For more information:
Erwin Savenije
TB Emsland Gemüse GmbH
Sechs-Sterne-Weg 6
48488 Emsbüren, Germany
Tel: +49 172 7952831
[email protected]
www.emsflower.de