ISHS Acta Horticulturae 147: Symposium on Production Planning in Glasshouse Floriculture
INTRODUCTION TO THE DANISH HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY |
| Author: | H.E. Kresten Jensen |
| Abstract:
Denmark is situated in northern Europe-between 54° and 58° northern latitude. The country was formed by deposits after 3 glacial periods the last withdrawing 100 000 years ago. This has given Denmark its character of regular plains as well as valleys and outwash plains. The northern position might indicate that horticulture might be impossible. However, the Golf Stream together with winds from the west makes the temperature 12°C higher than average for 56° N.lat. during the coldest month February. The first horticulturists in Denmark were monks in the period from about 1100 to the reformation in 1536. Then horticulture was mainly developed at the palaces and the estates of the nobility. From 1850 the beginning of industrialization stimulated horticulture. During the economic crises of the 1930's with restricted import policy and during the isolation of the second world war horticulture developed and aquired great importance in the domestic market. From 1950 greenhouse culture expanded and became an exporting industry. The total commercial greenhouse area in Denmark today is 500 ha. The structure of the horticultural industry of Denmark is notable for a large number of small family holdings and a small number of large units. Out of the 1700 greenhouse nurseries 55 per cent has less than 0.2 ha of greenhouse area, 86 per cent has less than 0.5 ha, 96 per cent has less than 1 ha, and 99 per cent has less than 2 ha of greenhouse area. Only 1 per cent has a glass covered area above 2 ha. Products are mainly sold either at the whole sale market in Copenhagen or through the GASA's which are the Growers Cooperative Marketing Association operating with the clock system for price setting. Pot plant production covers 250 ha i.e. half of the greenhouse area. The gross market production value was about 1100 mio Dkr. in 1981 75 per cent being exported. Pot plant production expands. The production of pot plants covers a range of more than 150 plant species the most important being Kalanchoë, Begonia, Chrysanthemum, Poinsettia, Nephrolepis, Schlumbergera, Saintpaulia, Stephanotis, Azalea, and Ficus. Pot plants are grown in specialized greenhouse nurseries of high technical standard. The main import countries of Danish pot plants are Germany, Sweden, France, England, Norway, Finland, and Holland. Cut flower production is on decline and covers only about 70 ha of | |
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