Strawberry Plant Propagation Moves to Greenhouses
The facility transition aims to increase production efficiency and improve labor conditions for workers.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Vegetarian
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Van Alphen Soft Fruit Plants has begun construction of a new 6.3-hectare greenhouse in Meersel-Dreef, Belgium. This facility is part of a larger transition to move strawberry plant propagation from open fields to automated tray systems.
Why it matters
The shift toward controlled greenhouse environments aims to increase production efficiency and logistics for the 22 million plants the company handles annually. By centralizing operations, the firm expects to improve labor ergonomics for its 140 peak-season workers.
Van Alphen is replacing traditional propagation methods with a 6.3-hectare modern greenhouse infrastructure. This project marks a significant reduction in open-field reliance compared to the 92 hectares used for propagation 15 years ago, with operations unresolved until the 2027 start date.
The players
Van Alphen Soft Fruit Plants
A producer that manages the propagation of 22 million strawberry plants annually across Belgium and the Netherlands.
Van Amelsvoort Kassenbouw
The construction firm responsible for building the new greenhouse structure.
Jan Jansen
The project supervisor overseeing the construction of the new strawberry plant facility.
The details
The facility is divided into two blocks exceeding 3 hectares each, designed to support the transition to raised tray field propagation. By moving away from open-field methods, the company can utilize automation to manage plant health and growth cycles more precisely. These structures also facilitate improved ergonomics, reducing the physical strain on staff who manage the high-volume output of 22 million strawberry plants.
Timeline
Construction of the new greenhouse began following the October 21, 2026, steel erection.
Glazing for the greenhouse is scheduled for completion before Christmas 2026.
Operations at the new facility are expected to begin in April 2027.
Health Landscape
Agricultural producers are increasingly moving toward controlled-environment technology to stabilize supply chains and manage crop health. This shift away from traditional open-field propagation marks an evolution in how specialty crops like strawberries are prepared for long-term growth.
The move to controlled-environment facilities helps ensure consistency and year-round availability of agricultural products for the global food supply. Consumers interested in sustainable food production may look for produce grown in managed, traceable environments.
The takeaway
The move toward greenhouse-grown plants reflects a broader industry effort to optimize agricultural efficiency through automation. Readers can monitor how these advancements in plant propagation affect the sustainability and reliability of the fresh fruit supply in their region.
Further reading
For more on the developments in plant-based food production, visit the Vegetarian section.
More information
Learn more about their operations on the company website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Horti Daily.
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