Spain develops drought-resilient tomato varieties; Dutch growers cut energy use
Spanish research is focusing on recovering traditional tomato varieties in Murcia to improve resilience to drought and heat, while Dutch growers report successful low-energy tomato production with full-LED lighting.
In Spain, a project led by CEBAS-CSIC in the Murcia region is working to recover and revalorize traditional tomato varieties, aiming to enhance resistance to drought and high temperatures. These local varieties, such as Murciano Rojo and Muchamiel Aperado, are being tested for their tolerance to water scarcity and heat stress, conditions that are increasingly common in the Mediterranean. The project also explores the use of melatonin to boost plant resilience, with a focus on maintaining fruit quality and yields under challenging climatic conditions. These efforts could support stable exports from southeastern Spain during extreme weather events, affecting supply to European markets, including Poland.
In the Netherlands, a three-year research project has shown that tomatoes can be grown successfully under full-LED lighting while using 50% less heat input. The trial, conducted in a 256-square-metre greenhouse, grew the Macxize variety at a density of 3.73 stems per square metre, maintaining five fruits per truss over a 30-week period. The results indicate that Dutch growers can significantly reduce energy costs, potentially stabilizing supply and prices despite high energy prices in Europe. This technological advancement may strengthen the competitive position of Dutch tomatoes in export markets.
In China, a semi-closed glass greenhouse in Zhejiang Province is producing cherry tomatoes using advanced climate control and supplementary LED lighting. While the main commercial focus is on domestic high-end markets in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Ningbo, the technology demonstrates new production models for year-round supply and may influence future tomato production practices in other major exporting countries.
In Italy, the wholesale market of Vittoria in Sicily reaffirmed its position as a key legal and transparent trading hub for tomatoes and other produce. The market, which plays a major role in Sicilian tomato exports to Europe, reported no evidence of illicit activity and highlighted ongoing investments in security and transparency. This supports the region’s reputation as a reliable supplier to European buyers, including importers in Poland.
Dutch tomato producers are also experimenting with automation and innovative harvesting technologies, such as conveyor belts and tubular rail carts, to improve efficiency in greenhouse operations. These developments may further reduce production costs and support the stable supply of Dutch tomatoes to European markets.
Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker