Building Bridges for Sustainable Growth: The Netherlands Pavilion at the Horti IPM Shanghai, China
From April 10 to 12, 2025, the Netherlands presented its largest-ever national pavilion at the 27th edition of Hortiflorexpo IPM in Shanghai, China’s leading international horticulture trade fair. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China brought together 32 leading Dutch horticultural companies with individual booth spanning the entire greenhouse value chain — from seeds and cultivation technology to climate control, logistics, and turnkey greenhouse projects. Our collective presence wasn’t just about showcasing innovation — it was a statement of strategic intent: the Netherlands remains deeply committed to sustainable collaboration with China’s growing horticultural sector.
A Timely Message for a Pressing Challenge
At the official opening ceremony, Ambassador André Haspels emphasized the urgent need to address the interconnected global challenges of food, energy, and water. “As the global population continues to grow, we must find smarter and more sustainable ways to produce food,” the Ambassador said. “Climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental pressure call for a complete rethink of how we grow, distribute, and consume agricultural products.” This message resonated strongly with the fair’s overarching theme — and was reflected in growing Chinese interest in the Dutch horticulture ecosystem.
Dutch Thought Leadership & Technical Dialogue
In the afternoon of the opening day, the Embassy co-hosted the Dutch Horticulture Seminar: Shaping a Future of Efficiency and Sustainability, in partnership with Dutch Greenhouse Delta. The forum gathered over 120 invited professionals from Chinese companies, research institutes, and government organizations. While the Dutch speakers shared technical insights on smart energy systems, AI-driven greenhouses, and circular practices, the broader impact was clear: China is actively seeking practical, scalable solutions for greener food production, and Dutch expertise is seen as a critical part of the answer.
Emerging Opportunities in Shanghai
One of the seminar’s most anticipated moments came from the presentation by the official from Shanghai Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission, who introduced the Shanghai Modern Protected Agriculture Special Plan (2024–2035). The plan outlines:
• A spatial layout of 12 core greenhouse clusters across the city
• Prioritized development zones backed by infrastructure and policy incentives
• A targeted modernization roadmap focusing on digitalization, sustainability, and food security
Dutch companies were keen to explore how they might engage in this long-term vision, especially given Shanghai’s role as a gateway to the Yangtze River Delta — China’s most urbanized and economically dynamic region.
Networking That Matters
The day concluded with an evening reception hosted by the Ambassador, where Dutch exhibitors connected with Chinese commercial partners, growers, and industry stakeholders. In his remarks, Ambassador Haspels warmly welcomed all Dutch companies to Shanghai, and expressed his appreciation for their commitment to the Chinese market.
During conversations with business representatives, the Ambassador showed a strong interest in understanding their operations in China — particularly amid the current backdrop of global consumption slowdown and geopolitical trade uncertainties. His message was clear: the Embassy stands ready to support Dutch companies in navigating both opportunities and challenges in China’s evolving market landscape.
Why This Matters
The Netherlands Pavilion wasn’t just the largest national pavilion — it was one of the most visited, discussed, and photographed at the expo.
Dutch innovation continues to be seen in China as a blueprint for future food systems. There is growing momentum behind sustainable horticulture projects, particularly in Shanghai and the wider Yangtze Delta region. Long-term partnerships, policy alignment, and local market understanding will be key to success.
The Netherlands showed up in full force — and it paid off
As China accelerates its transition toward efficient and climate-smart horticulture, the Dutch ecosystem remains not just relevant, but essential.
The recruitment for the Netherlands Pavilion at the 28th Hortiflorexpo IPM Beijing has officially started. If your company is interested in joining us, please contact PEK-LVVN@minbuza.nl at your earliest convenience.
Let’s build on this momentum — together.