Prominent to produce to China

The ratification of the collaboration between Prominent and the Chinese took place on 28 August. This is one of four official agreements made between the Chinese Province of Hainan, Chinese investors Runda and Ruoniushan Group, and three Dutch companies. Besides Prominent, the Rijk Zwaan, HortiMaX and Priva organisations will also strengthen their ties with Hainan; a region that offers both the Dutch and the Chinese many opportunities for the development of high-tech horticulture.

Why collaborate?

A closer cooperation between the parties in Hainan is a logical next step to the visits made during the last two years for the purpose of exploring possibilities. Runda, the Chinese investor, has already built a number of greenhouses on the island. Last year, this number was added to with a 7-hectare high-tech greenhouse built to Dutch specifications, complete with a distribution centre and processing line. Prominent will participate in the exploitation of this greenhouse and will therefore benefit from being able to use it as efficiently as possible and maximise its production.

A factor in the decision to collaborate with the Chinese involves Prominent's ambition to become a major global player. Because exporting from the Netherlands to a distant destination like China is not always feasible. 'In this case, you could build your own greenhouses locally, or you could find a partner who has already built them. We found this partner in the form of Runda; they have the greenhouses and we have the expertise.’ Ferdi van Elswijk, Manager of Prominent Greenhouse Academy, explains.

Supervising cultivation

Prominent's employees will not only travel to China themselves but will also supervise the cultivation from a distance. Ferdi van Elswijk: 'We are training people in the Netherlands, and we will be providing support by means of communication platforms like WeChat and video streaming. Technological developments and innovations in greenhouse horticulture are also increasingly allowing us to grow a crop by wire nowadays.'

In conclusion

There are excellent opportunities for safely grown produce in China due to a rising middle class increasingly aware of food and food sources. This means there is definitely a market for 'Dutch' tomatoes.