Dutch berry propagator Flevoplant has said it will stop the propagation and cultivation of strawberry plants due to high costs and regulatory burdens.
No crop will be produced for the 2026 season, and the greenhouse and tray fields will be sold, although the company will continue to produce its own Summerking fruit label for the retail and garden markets, which it introduced in 2023, under the Flevoplant brand.
In a statement the company said, “The capital intensity versus the returns is not in the right balance, making it irresponsible to pass the business on to the next generation. Therefore, we have collectively decided, together with the Goossens family, to cease operations. The decision to stop was made entirely of our own free will.”
In particular it cited high input costs, including labour and energy, and ‘increasingly stringent regulations.’ Niels Goossens, who oversaw the cultivation operation commented, “We primarily grow ever-bearing strawberry varieties, which require a lot of labour. The sharp rise in labour costs has been a key factor in this decision.”
Increasingly uncertain weather conditions, which have resulted in lower yields over the last two years, have also made the crop too risky.
“The past two years, with a wet summer and a damp spring, resulted in lower yields. A wet summer leads to a high loss rate in ever-bearing varieties,” explained Niels. Flevoplant will continue to deliver plant material through to June this year. “By then, most of the plants will have been delivered. Customers can expect the same level of service from Flevoplant as they always have,” he stressed.
The loss of the company, which was founded in 1958, will leave a major gap in the propagation market and discussions are under way to ensure that key growers and customers will be able to maintain access to mother plants and the appropriate licences.
