Growers are aware of the environmental impact of crop protection: sector wants to make more use of green alternatives

In the floriculture sector, 83% of business owners are aware of the environmental impact of the crop protection they use. There is a strong desire among a large proportion of them to use more "green" alternatives. However, more than half (53%) experience problems in making crop protection more sustainable. They need greater availability of alternatives, as well as clear and consistent legislation and regulations across all countries. They also need more technical knowledge and information. This is according to the latest Trend Report on Floriculture, published today by Royal FloraHolland.  

52% of respondents want to increase the use of biologicals and an equal proportion wants to strengthen plant resilience, to make crop protection more sustainable on the farm. Four in ten see opportunities in prevention, such as resistant varieties and hygiene.  

Concerns among growers and buyers  

For growers, crop protection is one of the biggest livelihood concerns. Other concerns include increasing laws and regulations (61%) and staff shortages and labour costs (46%). Interestingly, concerns about sustainability in the sector, overall, have decreased: from 30% in the first trend report to 17% now.  

The Trend Report on Floriculture shows that almost three quarters (74%) are positive or neutral about making the sector more sustainable. And that many business owners are already working on it: 85% of growers have now taken action to grow more sustainably. David van Mechelen, interim CEO of Royal FloraHolland: 'As a cooperative, we think it is a good development that more and more business owners recognise the need to make the sector more sustainable. Of course we want to support our members as best we can during this transition. We are therefore committed to accelerating the approval of green alternatives, so that the transition to virtually chemical-free cultivation can proceed more easily and quickly. We also lobby for more flexibility regarding rules that play a role in sustainability transitions. This approach is effective; one example is the new approach adopted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to reduce regulatory burdens.’  

Sustainability more than crop protection

To make the sector more sustainable, more adjustments than just crop protection are required. Smart handling of issues such as energy, working conditions, packaging and water is also required. An increasing proportion of growers and buyers (80%, compared to 75% previously) say that they consider cooperation to be (very) important in this regard. There does appear to be a strong need for uniformity: 84% of growers think that legal sustainability requirements should be uniform across countries. This figure was 73% in the first trend report (July 2025).  

Maarten Bánki, Head of Sustainability at Royal FloraHolland: 'We understand that desire. The fact is, however that growers from Kenya, for example, have to deal with a completely different climate, with different growing conditions and different pest pressures. That also requires a different approach and resources. It is encouraging to see that the Kenyan governement is currently bringing its legislation on crop protection in horticulture more into line with EU legislation. Certification can provide more transparency on products and crop protection and help the transition to more sustainable crop protection. I am pleased to see that so many business owners recognise that cooperation is crucial in making the sector more sustainable. At Royal FloraHolland, we facilitate this collaboration by connecting parties, encouraging knowledge sharing and supporting joint initiatives. This is how we create space for innovation and accelerate the sustainability of our supply chain. Only by working together and looking ahead can we prepare the floriculture sector for the future.’   

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