After finishing his Ph.D. studies at the Wageningen University, he started his own company in China, which literally stands on its own two feet. While it supplies various goods for greenhouse growers, such as advanced Mardenkro shading paints, pollinators, peat substrates; it’s also involved in the production of young Anthurium plants. 

The company fully devotes itself to technical innovation, product development, sales, services and introduction and extension of knowledge and skills. They are also market leaders with several products in China. Mr Huang says “We know which products are the best from other countries, thus we use them in our own production and we sell them for other companies as well. Therefore, we have more of these quality products in China.” 

The company operates on more than five hectares, out of which one hectare is a Venlo type greenhouse. As Huang says, “It is time to use high-tech greenhouses to achieve professional production. We try to target those top growers, who invest in modern, Dutch technologies.” He also mentioned that the company has fifty employees for the time being, with most of them working in sales. Because of the high level of automatization in the greenhouse, there is less need for workers in tproduction.

Huang also talked about the changing market of ornamentals in China. Producing flowers has been a very good investment in the country so far, because the Chinese government subsidized the growers and also offered a vast market for the produce, as they bought these flowers mainly for official ceremonies. Recently this has changed, and now the government is buying fewer flowers due to their saving program. This has caused insecurity for Chinese horticulturists. However, according to Huang, this is a positive change for the market. He said, “I think this is favourable, since producers need to start paying attention on marketing and making connections in the private sector.” 

Regarding the future of greenhouse cultures in China, he emphasised the high importance of hydroponic vegetable growing. “My company expects more customers from the vegetable sector very soon. I think hydroponic vegetable production has a bright future in China. It is increasingly important because of emerging food safety concerns and due to its more efficient use of land, water, facilities and workforce.”

Photo courtesy of HortDaily.com