Dutch greenhouse builders earn millions thanks to Canadian weed cultivation

by Team Inc.

In the Netherlands, weed cultivation is punishable. Not only the weed cultivation itself, but also the supply of products that contribute to the illegal cannabis cultivation is prohibited here. Nevertheless, Dutch companies supply cannabis cultivation on a very large scale. But then for the legal cultivation of cannabis abroad.

This is also the case for the Dutch greenhouse construction company Havecon, which has been selling horticultural greenhouses worldwide for decades. Havecon builds greenhouses for legal cannabis cultivation in Canada. This is not punishable. Henk Verbakel (CEO Havecon): "They are large, serious companies, which are often listed on the stock exchange." Greenhouse construction for cannabis cultivation in Canada is a sensation in the horticultural industry.

Dutch producers of greenhouses and greenhouse systems such as watering, climate control and food supply on a large scale to the weed industry in North America. According to lighting expert Theo Tekstra, who has been active in the weed industry for more than ten years, it concerns many millions.

“Now that cannabis cultivation has been legalized in more and more places, acres of greenhouses are being set up,” says Theo Tekstra. “Old factories have been converted for cannabis cultivation and thousands of kilos of cannabis are grown in gigantic spaces. The Dutch have jumped into this cannabis market. It concerns tens of millions of turnover, a booming industry. ”

Legal weed growing in the US and Canada

Cannabis cultivation has long ceased to be the exclusive field of activity of illegal growers in attic rooms. Growing cannabis has now been legalized in California, Colorado and Canada. Weed companies with a market value of tens of billions of dollars invest their money in industrial cultivation, often in greenhouses.

It is precisely those greenhouses and the associated systems for lighting, climate control, watering and food that are supplied by Dutch entrepreneurs. Henk Verbakel is such an entrepreneur. He is CEO of Havecon, a company that has been building greenhouses for tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers worldwide for years. And so now, weed.

Serious growth market with listed companies

Verbakel: “I'm not the type of joint smoker, on the contrary. I didn't want to have anything to do with cannabis until I got to know the customers. It turned out to be large serious parties, which generally turned out to be listed on the stock exchange. Then you adjust your opinion. ”

It is not surprising that a Dutch company supplies the greenhouses. The Netherlands is big in horticulture, says Harm Maters of industry association AVAG. We are the global market leader in building greenhouses and produce high-tech systems for watering, climate control, lighting and food. This so-called 'greenhouse technology sector' is experiencing enormous growth.

Turnover has risen explosively

“In 2017, turnover has exploded to just under 4 billion. This is mainly due to enormous export growth, which now accounts for 75 percent of the turnover, ”says Harm Maters. Exports to the United States and Canada have been growing rapidly in recent years. But it is not certain whether this is all due to legal cannabis cultivation. “That is not kept,” says Maters.

Why are Dutch people so sought after by North American weed entrepreneurs? According to Tekstra, this is due to our knowledge of large-scale horticulture. Dutch companies have an advantage, because their knowledge is of a high level in that field. And you can apply that knowledge seamlessly in the construction of greenhouse systems for cannabis cultivation.

Tomato, chrysanthemum or cannabis makes little difference

Tekstra: “An industrial cannabis grower doesn't suddenly need something completely different. Whether it is a tomato, a chrysanthemum or cannabis, it is a crop. ” Henk Verbakel also sees many Dutch companies in North America. “We are simply very good at greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands. We have a head start of about ten years. We are a global leader in the realization of greenhouse garden projects and do good business there, we have no complaints. ”

View the here broadcast from minute 07: 37.

View the full article on eenvandaag.avrotros.nl (Source)

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