GreenTech Week 2026 strengthens international collaboration in Controlled Environment Agriculture.

GreenTech Week 2026 once again demonstrated the international appeal of the Dutch horticultural sector. Throughout the week, international delegations from all over the world gathered in the Netherlands to exchange knowledge, explore innovations and discuss the future of food production.

These delegations included growers, investors, policymakers, government officials and ministers, all eager to connect with the innovative heart of Dutch horticulture. They were invited by the partners of the Strategic Trade Fair Program (SBP), a public-private initiative that showcases the Dutch approach to sustainable food, flower and plant production and stimulates long-term international collaboration.

The week started with the Welcome Walking Dinner at World Horti Center, bringing together more than 300 international guests and the Dutch horticultural network, representing the full breadth of the global horticultural sector. The following day, several of the high-level delegates participated alongside Dutch Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture Silvio Erkens in the official opening ceremony of GreenTech Amsterdam, underlining the importance of international cooperation in addressing global food and horticultural challenges.

In his opening remarks at the Welcome Walking Dinner, Marten van den Berg, Director-General for Agriculture at the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), welcomed the delegations and highlighted the importance of international collaboration and innovation in addressing global food production challenges. Bouke Arends, Mayor of the Municipality of Westland, followed with a compelling reflection on the strength of the Dutch horticultural ecosystem:

"Horticulture is more than a sector. It is a place where innovative entrepreneurship comes together every day. This is where the future of food is being shaped."

That message came to life throughout the week. A day later, several high-level delegation members joined the Dutch Minister of Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, Silvio Erkens, for the official opening of GreenTech Amsterdam. Their presence once again underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges related to food production and horticulture.

GreenTech Week was not only about showcasing innovations, but above all about creating meaningful connections. Through roundtable discussions, networking events, company visits and meetings on the GreenTech exhibition floor, international visitors engaged directly with Dutch businesses, knowledge institutes and government organisations.

The NL Lounge served as a central meeting place throughout the week, offering a dynamic programme of knowledge sessions, presentations and networking opportunities. It provided a platform for international delegates and Dutch stakeholders to connect, exchange insights and explore opportunities for collaboration. The Worldwide Delegations Networking Lunch further strengthened these connections by bringing together delegates from different regions of the world to share experiences and discuss future partnerships.

Growing demand CEA

One of the key observations was the growing international demand for integrated solutions rather than standalone technologies. Delegations increasingly expressed interest in approaches that combine technology, cultivation expertise, data, education and long-term partnerships. At the same time, the week highlighted the value of bringing people together. New connections were established, existing relationships strengthened and conversations initiated that will continue well beyond GreenTech Week. This integrated approach continues to be one of the defining strengths of the Dutch horticultural sector.

Annie van de Riet, Chair of AVAG, sees this development as a logical response to the global challenges many countries are facing:

"The growing international interest in Controlled Environment Agriculture is a logical response to the challenge of feeding a growing world population, finding solutions to climate change and safeguarding food security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. We are proud of the innovations our companies have presented to help address these challenges."

GreenTech Week 2026 confirmed that the Netherlands remains a trusted international partner in Controlled Environment Agriculture. More importantly, it showed that addressing global challenges such as food security, water scarcity and climate resilience requires collaboration across borders.

The Strategic Trade Fair Programme, coordinated by AVAG and carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), the Municipality of Westland, Dutch Greenhouse Delta, GreenTech and World Horti Center, plays an important role in strengthening these international connections. By showcasing the collective expertise of the Dutch horticultural sector, the programme promotes the Netherlands as a global partner in sustainable food, flower and plant production and stimulates long-term partnerships and new business opportunities. The connections made during GreenTech Week provide a strong foundation for future collaboration and sustainable horticultural development worldwide.