Market Trends of Commercial Greenhouse Industry
Horticultural Crops Are In High Demand
By crop type, fruit and vegetables hold the largest market share due to the high demand for fresh veggies and fruits around the globe. Also, due to their high quality, fruit and vegetables grown in greenhouses are in high demand from retail chains in developed regions. Many companies are expanding their regional presence with the growing demand for freshly grown fruits and vegetables. For instance, in 2022, AppHarvest, an Appalachia-based company known for its high-tech greenhouses and commitment to local food systems, expanded its operations in Kentucky by 60 acres, focusing on tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Moreover, Gotham Greens, a New York-based indoor farming pioneer that operates as one of the high-tech hydroponic greenhouses in North America, has raised more than USD 310 million capital in 2022 to improve its greenhouse facilities to grow herbs and leafy greens in North America. This is due to the increasing trend of growing plants indoors, particularly during the pandemic. This is likely to be anticipated more in the future.
Europe Holds the Largest Share in Greenhouse Installment
Germany has traditionally been at the forefront of implementing advanced techniques in smart greenhouse horticulture. The total area under greenhouse cultivation in Germany was 1271 hectares in 2022. Most of this area was occupied by tomato crops, with an acreage of 382.74 hectares. Similarly, the cultivation area under cucumber was 215 hectares. The most extensive areas of greenhouse vegetable cultivation in Germany are North Rhine Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate, and Lower Saxony. Additionally, subsidies for energy-efficient greenhouses, covering up to 60% of eligible expenses, help reduce operating costs. Moreover, the commercial growth of greenhouses has increased on a massive scale in the United Kingdom. Many companies in the United Kingdom are leveraging new technologies. For instance, in March 2022, Tomtech designed and produced industrial control and monitoring equipment for greenhouses. Their systems use sensors to automatically track and regulate light, heat, air circulation, irrigation, fertigation, and fertilizer dosing to maintain the greatest possible growth environment.
