Havecon to build 6.8-hectare high-tech strawberry greenhouse for Royal Berry in Bemmel

Havecon will begin construction of a new high-tech strawberry greenhouse for Royal Berry in Bemmel in early September. The greenhouse will cover approximately 68,000 m², or 6.8 hectares, and will be built on a site where Royal Berry was until recently growing strawberries under polytunnels. By switching to a modern glass greenhouse, Royal Berry will also be able to produce strawberries during the winter months. The first plants are scheduled to be placed in the greenhouse at the end of November.

The project marks the first collaboration between Havecon and Royal Berry. For this expansion, the strawberry grower was looking for a construction partner capable of combining quality with the speed required by the ambitious schedule. Havecon will start the foundation work in early September and aims to complete its own scope of work during October.

“By Dutch standards, 6.8 hectares is a substantial project within the strawberry sector, and the schedule is also particularly tight,” says Pieter Ammerlaan, Sales Manager at Havecon. “That is exactly where we can demonstrate our ability to deliver. The challenge is to achieve the best possible result within a short timeframe, together with all parties involved. Ultimately, we want to be able to look back and say: this is what we promised at the outset, and this is what we delivered.”

From outdoor cultivation to a high-tech greenhouse
The new greenhouse will be designed for year-round strawberry cultivation. LED lighting will enable production during the darker winter months. In addition, the approximately six-metre-high greenhouse will be fully coated white to maximise the amount of light reaching the crop, while large roof vents will provide high ventilation capacity and help create an optimal growing climate.

Royal Berry has deliberately opted for modern yet proven technologies. “This is not about experimenting with technologies that are being used for the first time,” Ammerlaan explains. “Based on its own cultivation experience, Royal Berry knows exactly what it needs. That makes it particularly interesting to exchange ideas at a technical level and combine our expertise.”

Other specialists are also involved in the project. VB, for example, is responsible for the climate installation. The Bemmel site will also make use of a collective water storage system in the area, making captured rainwater available to greenhouse horticulture businesses.

Global Developments Require Smart Growing Solutions
The world around us is changing rapidly. A growing global population, increasing pressure on available agricultural land, stricter sustainability requirements and the need for reliable local food production continue to drive demand for advanced greenhouse horticulture solutions. At the same time, growers around the world are facing challenges related to energy, labor availability, water management and productivity.

This is precisely why modern greenhouse horticulture is playing an increasingly important role. By investing in innovative, efficient and controlled growing environments, producers can address today's challenges while preparing for tomorrow's opportunities. In this context, the quality of the greenhouse itself is only part of the equation. Equally important are the knowledge, experience and execution capabilities of the partners behind the project.

An entrepreneur with strong growth ambitions
The new greenhouse is in line with Royal Berry’s development over recent years. Owner Jan van Genderen started his own strawberry nursery at the age of just 17 and made a fresh start in Bemmel in 2010. Since then, Royal Berry has grown through new construction and expansion into a company with multiple production locations across the Dutch provinces of Gelderland and Limburg. In 2023, the company opened the 12-hectare 4 Seasons Berry greenhouse complex in Bemmel, followed in 2025 by the acquisition of an 18-hectare greenhouse horticulture site in Egchel.

Van Genderen’s entrepreneurship was recognised in 2025 when he was named Agricultural Entrepreneur of the Year. Royal Berry’s ambitions extend beyond growth alone. The company

Havecon to build 6.8-hectare high-tech strawberry greenhouse for Royal Berry in Bemmel

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