The price of natural gas is rising and greenhouse production will decrease

The situation in Ukraine has aggravated the problems in the energy sector. High inflation in natural gas prices will impact greenhouse production in Europe and some analysts predict higher prices and shortages.

 

Europe is experiencing high natural gas price inflation which has increased by up to 985% over the previous year, reaching a record level in December. Greenhouse heating has been lowered, causing a decrease in production and a real risk of product shortages.

 

United Kingdom: many producers in greenhouses, about 60% to 70%, did not carry out the usual plantings during the month of January. In addition, the sector is experiencing a shortage of workers to cultivate and harvest. National production will decline, leading to an increase in imports.

 

 

Bulgaria: about 70% of Bulgarian greenhouses did not produce vegetables this winter due to high gas prices, which led to a shortage of tomatoes and cucumbers in the domestic market.

 

 

.Netherlands : requirements are estimated at 2.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to heat 25,000 acres (10,117 hectares) of high-efficiency greenhouses. Some Dutch professionals have reduced the heat needed for their crops of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, others have postponed their plantings or turned to less energy-intensive crops.

 

 

According to analysts at ABN AMRO bank, rising fertilizer and energy costs will dampen the growth of Dutch agriculture this year. The production of vegetables in greenhouses will decrease in volume.

 

 

source : irishexaminer.com