The outbound mission to China once again underlined a key reality: international horticultural collaboration is no longer about exporting solutions. It is about co-creating the future.
Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), in close cooperation with RVO and the Dutch Embassy in Beijing, continues to build strong and future-proof partnerships with Chinese stakeholders. The April mission brought Dutch companies directly into the heart of China’s rapidly evolving horticultural landscape.
From Zhenjiang to Hefei, Beijing and Shandong province, the programme reflected both the scale and the strategic depth of Sino-Dutch cooperation. Across seminars, site visits and industry dialogues, one theme consistently emerged: the transition towards sustainable, high-tech horticulture is a shared ambition, which comes with a shared responsibility.
A key milestone was the Netherlands – Jiangsu horticulture and development seminar, where government, industry and knowledge institutions aligned on opportunities for integrated development. This was followed by the official launch of a new Sino-Dutch horticulture project, including visits to large-scale developments such as a 100+ hectare agro park in the Zhenjiang region. These projects illustrate the increasing demand for proven CEA-food systems, combining technology, knowledge and operational expertise.
In Hefei, the delegation joined the official opening ceremony of the International Rural Innovation and Development Expo. One of the opening speeches was delivered by de program manager of RVO, representing the Dutch Government. The same day several members of the delegation had the opportunity to give a presentation on their respective companies.
In Beijing, the presence at the Hortiflor Expo, with a strong Dutch pavilion, demonstrated the continued relevance of the Netherlands as a global frontrunner in horticulture innovation. At the same time, it provided a platform for meaningful exchanges with Chinese partners actively seeking sustainable and scalable solutions.
During the stay in Beijing, at the premises of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), representatives of RVO, the municipality of Westland and DGD had an interesting meeting with the leaders of the National Agriculture Technology Extension and Service Center (NATESC) on intensive future cooperation. A delegation of NATESC will visit the GreenTech in June. At that occasion an MoU on cooperation for the coming three years will be signed.
The mission concluded in Shandong province with the Netherlands – Shandong Horticulture Industry Dialogue. Here, discussions moved beyond trade and technology alone. The focus shifted towards building resilient food systems, addressing climate challenges and ensuring long-term productivity. It reinforced the idea that collaboration today must contribute to global agricultural sustainability tomorrow.
What is unfolding between China and the Netherlands is not a traditional trade relationship. It is a strategic partnership with complementary strengths and long-term commitment.
This mission reaffirmed that the future of horticulture will be shaped through international collaboration, where co-creation is the driving force behind sustainable growth.