What would the Corona crisis mean for the international oriented horticulture sector? Closed borders? Cancelling of products? The industry was worried when the virus broke out. Now, a few weeks later, Joachim Keus, responsible for the Benelux sales of drive systems and screens by Ridder, is of the opinion he has no reason to complain. "The production and order intake are doing well and luckily, we only have few persons falling ill. A flexible attitude is required however, and that is what we do.
"For the projects we are delivering now, the delivery time of the drive systems and screens is six to eight weeks. Most companies let the deliveries continue as usual. The next step is that greenhouse builders and installers send their supervisors to the project locations to coordinate the installation of screens and drive systems. That is still difficult now, but I expect that to be alright in a short time."
Growers see prices increase
Because foreign projects were difficult, the Dutch greenhouse builders and installers gave precedence to projects in the Netherlands. Joachim: "Luckily, we were not faced with restrictions such as not being able to work. There were ornamental growers who cancelled or postponed projects due to the bad market situation, but now the prices seem to recover, and almost all their products can be delivered, things are moving forward again."
Foreign projects return after the summer
Until the summer arrives, there is plenty of work for the Dutch market. Joachim expects the foreign projects then to pick up. "I particularly expect countries such as Russia and China will focus more on self-sufficiency, because they do not want to face an export ban again. Local production of food was already happening in many countries, but that development will speed up as a result of this crisis."
The work of Ridder in Canada is also still continuing. In Leamington, Ridder has an office from which they can deliver to local greenhouse builders and installers. "They do not have the problem that supervisors cannot come themselves, because they are located there. While Dutch greenhouse builders have to wait until the supervisors can travel again, Canadian companies can continue with the local staff".
For more information: 
Ridder
info@ridder.com
www.ridder.com
Joachim Keus
+31 06 53370756
j.keus@ridder.com