Van Der Hoeven wins US$46M contracts for strawberry greenhouses in India
Dutch horticultural firm to introduce hi-tech greenhouse systems across three Indian states.
INDIA – Dutch company Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects has signed contracts worth €40 million (about US$46.1 million) to build advanced greenhouses for strawberry farming in India.
The projects will cover 8 hectares across Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, marking the company’s first entry into the Indian horticulture sector.
“For the first time, we are going to bring our hi-tech greenhouse technology to India. We have got three projects for strawberry cultivation,” said Sales Manager Pieter Jan Robbemont.
He noted that the company is awaiting bank financing before work can begin, with construction expected to take at least one year.
Van der Hoeven’s greenhouse systems feature advanced climate control, irrigation, automation, and cultivation tools designed to boost crop output under different weather conditions. The technology is widely used in the Netherlands and other markets where high-value crops require controlled environments.
Robbemont said the move to India aligns with the company’s goal of supporting commercial-scale fruit cultivation in regions with growing demand for high-quality produce. The technology aims to ensure consistent yields and reduce risks linked to unpredictable weather and water shortages.
A growing Indo-Dutch collaboration
Van der Hoeven is among four companies exploring the Indian market under HortiRoad2India, a multi-year public-private partnership between India and the Netherlands. The program promotes Dutch horticultural technology and knowledge-sharing to support India’s push toward climate-smart agriculture.
“We are building bridges between Dutch innovation and Indian ambition for inclusive growth, enhancing food safety and climate-smart agriculture,” said Tiffany Meijer, project manager for international trade at InnovationQuarter and co-coordinator of HortiRoad2India.
HortiRoad2India on Thursday launched a blueprint outlining future cooperation in areas such as greenhouse development, supply chain systems, and capacity building for local farmers.
The Netherlands has 10,000 hectares of high-tech greenhouses, supported by around 20 Dutch firms that specialize in design, automation, and climate systems. The new projects in India are expected to strengthen bilateral agricultural trade and technology exchange between the two countries.
Other Dutch companies in the partnership are preparing similar projects focused on tomato and flower cultivation. Officials said discussions are underway with several Indian agribusinesses and state governments to identify potential sites and financing models.
As India continues to expand its modern horticulture capacity, Van der Hoeven’s entry signals growing confidence in Indo-Dutch agricultural cooperation.
The projects, once completed, are expected to help farmers produce premium strawberries year-round, creating new opportunities in domestic and export markets.
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