" The situation is arrest impossible to be free-enterprise in the Netherlands , Germany or the UK , " aver Osvaldo Branco with Horti Consultancy Portugal . " Labour costs , taxes , and energy are too high . In Portugal , the mood helps reduce the need for energy , and both labour and energy costs are only a fraction . " With this in mind , he sympathize why Portugal is increasingly being consider as a location for high - tech greenhouse production , and with his consultancy companionship he wants to aid growers set up a patronage in Portugal , and take advantage of the available EU and home subsidy . " You ’re still in the EU , the climate is well-disposed and the labor and Department of Energy costs are a fraction . And agriculturist can get financial support in setting up their patronage . "
" Portugal is not as warm as Southern Spain or Italy , where it ’s too red-hot for some crops . We have modest wintertime . From a climate perspective , it ’s one of the better spots in Europe " , Osvaldo start when asked about the opportunities for nursery acquire in his state . In Portugal , he visualize chance across a mountain chain of crops . " The median temperature is suitable for both greenhouse and open - playing area harvest . Cabbages , Brussels pullulate , lettuce — all can be grow outdoors . But also for the greenhouse crops , we see a portion of opportunities . " The Lusitanian market is familiar with undecided - field and low - technical school greenhouse production , such as for small berries and cut peak , but is less accustomed to gamy - technical school facilities . " That ’s where we see the potential is . "
When ask about the preferred nursery character , Osvaldo remark that plastic is prevailing . " in high spirits - technical school plastic glasshouse . If you enquire the agronomist Osvaldo , I say charge card work here . In the Netherlands , credit card ca n’t address the air current and snow . But in Portugal , high - technical school doubled plastic greenhouse are standard — I ’ve grown in them for 22 years . If a agriculturist want to invest in glass , that ’s also possible , but with the same investment you may get double the region in plastic . That ’s the economical side . " It ’s an example of how he combines his agronomic backcloth with his economic mind . " And the focus is eventually to get the raiser the best revenue . "

Although the independent nidus for grow in Portugal would be on exporting to other EU nation , there is also opportunity in the local market . Currently , Portugal imports a solid amount of horticultural produce , include Lycopersicon esculentum , peppers , cucumbers , and lettuce . " There ’s need , and freightage costs from the Netherlands add another 25 % . A tomato cultivator who starts operation here can achieve well pricing with far lower operational costs . " Osvaldo also highlights the logistical and political advantages of Portugal . " It ’s a good , unchanging EU res publica , with daily motortruck routes to the Netherlands . Transportation is cheesy , and Labor remains affordable at around 8 euros per 60 minutes . You do n’t call for to go to Kenya or Tanzania to grow roses — Portugal is still a workable choice inside the EU theoretical account . "
And then , there ’s the subsidies uncommitted . Osvaldo has work on 15 subsidy - back projects , combine his background in EU applications and Portuguese national subventions . One of the interesting programme still runs until 2027 . " If a Dutch troupe wants to set up a output whole for capsicum pepper plant , for example , now is the time . For every million euros invest in greenhouse equipment , growers can potentially encounter up to 50 % back through combined support from Portugal and Brussels , " he explains . agriculturalist must base a Portuguese company and produce land . From there , Osvaldo ’s squad , which includes a lawyer , an designer , a civil engineer and an economist , handles labor growth , legal compliance , and the backing app process . " I ferment with a lawyer , economist , and architect . We take care of the services take to grow a viable facility and resign a free-enterprise app dossier . " He emphasizes that these opportunities wo n’t last everlastingly : the current program started last year will end in 2027 . " It ’s the last gearing to catch for Benelux , German and UK companies regarding the European , home and local investment subsidy . The subsidy are tied to EU cohesion insurance policy . They ’re available for regions with incomes below the EU average . That include Portugal now , but not for much long . After that , no one bed what will happen as it is EU agricultural insurance policy , but the subvention level will fall significantly " , he expects . Currently , Spain , southern Greece , and function of Italy are also eligible . " But Portugal is still the most stable and affiliated . "
Currently , Osvaldo and his team are working on two projects from international client , of which one is looking for a proper localisation , and one is in the terminal stage of approval for the subventions . They participate in look for the potential sites , with well placement , logistics and infrastructure , help them establish a Portugese branch , parts of the funding , and all the paperwork to take the program . " We ’ve give them professional info and brook them all the means , have portion out directly in their name to the official permits and local sanction " , he summarizes .

Osvaldo concludes , " We ’re not just talking about clime or labour . This is about access code to the internal EU market , fuse with financial support mechanisms that reduce upfront costs . For growers who want to future - proof their surgical procedure , it ’s time to turn over the option : a fraction of the production monetary value , to bring forth out of season products , the quality that comes from higher photosynthesis , higher sugar content of the flowers and fruits , and in the end to create topically for a 60 million consumer neth import marketplace in Portugal and Spain . All still inside the EU . "
For more data : HORTICONSULTANCY ServicesOsvaldo Branco , agronom M.ScEstrada da Arregaça N272510 - 651 - Óbidos - Portugal[email protected]+351 967355697 ( WhatsApp Nr )
Frontpage photo : © Horticonsultancy Portugal

© FloralDaily.com/Arlette Sijmonsma
