We believe protected cropping solutions are the answer to many challenges Australian growers face on a daily basis. Not just because we believe in our product, but also because the statistics support it. In this article we will present you with some game-changing numbers to make you excited about your next greenhouse project.
1. More Margin
Hort Innovation researched the costs and benefits of the transition to protected cropping for the strawberry industry in 2019. In the publication, they show how protected cropping extends the growing season for strawberries around Melbourne for about 2 months. That may not seem like much, but it pretty much doubled the average revenue and increased the margin. While the growers in greenhouses had around 60% extra variable cost, they still made around 15% more margin that year! (Source)
2. More productivity & yield
Of course, the extra margin didn’t just fall from the sky. It grew in the ground! In the same strawberry research, they saw an increase from 3.41 kg/m2 of net yield of large marketable fruit in open field to 8.12 kg/m2 in a retractable greenhouse! (Source)
Those results weren’t just a one-time lucky shot. In the Netherlands over the last 25 years the productivity (kg per m2 of glasshouse) of sweet peppers increased with 90%! (Source)
And we see it with our own customers. For example, Jessica from Lower Don Organics. She’s not only having multiple harvests from the same plants, but the produce is also of higher quality and goes for premium price! Read her testimonial here.
3. Reduce waste
Did you know that about 25% of all produced vegetables in Australia don’t make it off the farm? Well, with greenhouses and shadehouses, that percentage is a little less. In the strawberry research, Hort Innovation reports that where in open field there was 30% downgraded/waste/shrink-age/loss, in greenhouses and tunnels that was only 10%. And this is also something that is underlined by Jessica from Lower Don Organics, she mentions that her capsicums have less sunburn and therefore she has less waste and more high-quality produce.
Bonus. Return On Investment
You should almost always expect a return on investment (ROI), so that’s why it is a bonus. Although we should probably call it a Basis. Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) reports an average return on investment between 5% and 10%. With the potential of up to 20% per year! This depends on the quality of the structure, the supporting infrastructure and the knowledge of the grower and staff to use the structure optimally.
Amazed? Let’s start your next project!
Don’t sit on these statistics, let’s talk about your challenges, goals and solutions. Contact us today to discover the best protected cropping solution for you and a personalised quote.
Is it the investment that is stopping you from looking into your next project? We are here to support you and can think along with you about financial options. Contact us and let’s talk.
