News » 17.09.2026 - total damage will run into millions of euros Windstorm damages thousands of greenhouse panes in Netherlands
A windstorm caused major damage to greenhouse horticulture in Made, the Netherlands, on Tuesday evening. Four growers in the northeastern part of the horticultural area suffered damage, with thousands of greenhouse panes broken. Insurer Hortisecur estimates that the total damage to greenhouses and crops will run into millions of euros.
Hortisecur was on site Wednesday morning to assess the damage and start emergency measures. The affected businesses include both vegetable and ornamental growers.
The extent of the damage is becoming clearer as growers and insurers inspect the greenhouses. For some growers, however, restoring the structures will take time. "It takes about three weeks before new glass is available," says Peter Post of Hortisecur. "The glass comes from Europe and is more expensive than glass from Asia, but waiting for that would take much longer."
The availability of the correct glass size is another challenge. "We have tried to see whether there is stock somewhere in the sector, but it is an unusual size that has only been used a few times in the Netherlands. That is something we are running into now."
The broken glass has also ended up outside the affected businesses. Roads and gardens in the surrounding area are covered with glass in places, creating additional work and concerns for local residents.
Emergency measures
Growers and insurers are now working on emergency measures to protect the remaining crops. Temporary walls are being installed in the greenhouses to allow part of the crops to be retained. Other sections of the crops are considered lost.
Among the affected businesses are ornamental growers and a cucumber grower. At Van Winden, part of the cucumber crop will have to be cleared, while there is still hope of saving another part of the crop. A plan has been drawn up for this, Post said on Friday morning on behalf of Hortisecur. The parties needed to carry out the work are now involved.
The damage is also affecting growers' ability to supply customers. VDH Plant, which sells plants through its Het Plantenkarretje operation, reported on social media that plants currently outside the greenhouse are still available for sale. The grower warned that these plants may not be replenished once the current stock has been sold, as large amounts of broken glass are lying among the plants.
Drone images made by grower Jordy van der Lans show the scale of the damage in the area. The pepper grower was not affected himself, but was able to assist neighboring growers and insurers by providing images of the damaged greenhouses.
The full extent of the crop and greenhouse damage is still being assessed. Hortisecur expects the total loss across the affected businesses to reach millions of euros.
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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