Scorching summers and increasingly erratic weather are rewriting the rules for growing fruit and vegetables in Europe. Belgian greenhouse growers are answering with technology: solar panels that boost plant growth, near-zero plastic waste, reduced peat use, and a steady march away from fossil fuels are among their latest initiatives.
Solar panels, inside the greenhouse
At Tomato Masters in Deinze, 32 colour-tinted solar panels hover above the tomato plants instead of sitting on the roof. They filter the sunlight, passing through exactly the light plants need for photosynthesis and turning the rest into electricity — 4.5 kW on average. “You could see the difference from a metre away: the plants under the panels are stronger and show less stress,” says co-owner Tom Vlaemynck. “They warm up less, transpire less water, and stay more vital during hot periods.”
The idea is spreading. Elsewhere in the Tomeco network, solar panels float on a water basin, cutting evaporation and generating power at the same time. Down the road, leek grower Jurgen De Roo has installed panels of his own to cover part of his farm’s electricity needs.
Using more sustainable inputs
Plastic is disappearing from Belgian greenhouses too. Under the Zero Waste project — run with Inagro, Harvestis and Ghent University — growers are swapping nylon crop ropes and plastic clips for biodegradable alternatives. The result: an entire crop cycle can go straight into the compost heap, no sorting required.
A second project, ReduVeen – run by Harvestis and Inagro – is taking aim at peat, a resource widely considered unsustainable. With global demand set to double by 2050 and peat-free alternatives still covering barely 15% of the market, researchers are working with growers to cut peat use in growing substrates by at least 35%.
Perhaps the most ambitious of the initiatives is the sector’s deep commitment to cutting fossil fuel use. In this respect, Belgian pepper growers are significantly reducing gas consumption by installing not only solar panels but also high-insulation energy screens and advanced heat pumps. “We have invested in cogeneration”, says Neyens, grower. “Part of the electricity is used in the greenhouse; the balance is injected into the grid. The cooling water from the engine heats the greenhouse. The gases released during combustion are 100% purified. The released CO2 is used as fertiliser for the bell peppers”, he adds.
A structural shift that is paying off in sales
Despite the current challenges, Belgian fresh produce exports have remained relatively stable over the past decade, with a notable increase of 163,340 tonnes between 2024 and 2025. European markets remain their main destination.
According to Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM), this recent increase can largely be attributed to the sector’s focus on continuous improvement, freshness and quality.
“The Belgian horticultural sector is a global leader in innovation because our research centres build solutions based directly on what growers need on the ground,” says Nele Van Avermaet, Fruit & Vegetables Promotion Manager at VLAM. “Faced with climate volatility, our growers are making long-term investments to guarantee a reliable, sustainable supply for European supermarkets.”
From 6 to 8 October, 21 Belgian fresh produce export companies will be showcasing their products in Hall 4 at Fruit Attraction 2026 in Madrid. Interested buyers can find more information about the participant companies here: www.flandersfruitsandvegetables.com/en/event/fruit-attraction-2026.
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