Greenhouses
HIGH-TECH GREENHOUSE HORTICULTURE IN CHINA IN FULL DEVELOPMENT
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hinese greenhouse horticulture is evolving at a rapid pace. And in the years to come, it shows the possibilities of speeding up, even more, expects Gloria Zhang of climate screen supplier Svensson. But there are also challenges to overcome: among others, the high energy prices and the moderate horticultural expertise level. Gloria is confident that “the collaboration with Dutch Greenhouse Delta and the PIB China will help to present Svensson's value in the market and working together with all the members allows us to provide a total solution of the value chain to growers in this country.” Climate Screen supplier Svensson has been active in the Chinese market for many years. In fact, the company of Swedish origin has had its own production facility in Shanghai for some twenty years. “Here, we produce not only a wide range of climate screens, but
also insect nets, for the Chinese market, but also for other countries in the world,” says Gloria Zhang. She has been a General Manager at Svensson China since 2014. High-tech greenhouse horticulture on the rise In recent years, Svensson has been involved in many projects in the high-tech greenhouse horticulture sector in China. A few examples of Chinese growers’ successful projects are: the new 6-hectare facility in Yinchuan for the potted rose company Aibida; And also the 20-hectare state-of-the-art greenhouses of vegetable producer Shanghai YouYou (Group), in Shanghai, with new climate solutions. They saved both energy costs and experience effects such as homogenous light giving lower plant temperature and less stress, promoted crop photosynthesis, and steady growth.
Potted rose company Aibida in Yinchuan
32 Gulf Agriculture | www.gulfagriculture.com
Gloria emphasizes that hightech greenhouse horticulture is clearly on the rise in China. “Especially in recent years, high-tech greenhouse horticulture has been developing rapidly. However, the percentage of high-tech greenhouses is still very low compared to the whole facility agriculture area in China. We are really still at the beginning.” According to Gloria, both the state-owned companies and private parties are investing in high-tech greenhouse projects. There are several reasons for this. “Food safety and food security are issues which are becoming increasingly important in China. This is, in part, because the middle-class group is rising, which results in a population group demanding higher standards for the quality and freshness of its food. In addition, the Chinese government considers it crucial to be selfsufficient and secure in terms of food supply. The challenges posed by climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic have reinforced this realization.” During the lockdowns, we were somewhat concerned about a shortage of vegetable supply, especially in the beginning. We can see that the Chinese government is supporting in setting up new greenhouse projects in recent years. “Many greenhouse complexes in the vicinity of big cities have already been built, like in Shanghai, but there are still some under
March-April 2022
