Dutch horticultural mission to Southeast Asia & Netherlands Lounge at HortEx 2026 announced

The Dutch embassies in Bangkok, Hanoi, and Jakarta, together with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), are jointly preparing the Dutch Horticultural Mission to Southeast Asia and invite Dutch companies to participate. This collaboration between the three embassies also enables participating companies to schedule dedicated meetings with the Agricultural Counsellors of these embassies.

Participation in the mission will include participation in the Netherlands Lounge at HortEx 2026, taking place from 20 to 22 May in Bangkok, Thailand. All activities are scheduled during the week of 17 to 22 May 2026 in Thailand, complemented by additional visits elsewhere in the region.

Southeast Asia, home to 500 million people with a combined GDP of US$2.6 trillion, continues to strengthen its geopolitical role and its ambitions for long-term food security. The region faces significant challenges in agro-food production, creating meaningful opportunities for Dutch horticultural expertise, technology, and knowledge sharing.

The program is currently under preparation and will be shaped based on participant interest. All activities remain subject to availability. The developing program is expected to include orientation visits in Thailand and Malaysia, participation in the Netherlands Lounge at HortEx 2026 from 20 to 22 May 2026, knowledge-sharing sessions, seminars, and networking events, as well as field visits and opportunities to engage with regional partners.

© HortEx

The Netherlands will present its latest innovations in sustainable and climate-smart horticulture through a dedicated Netherlands Lounge at HortEx 2026. Dutch companies will showcase forward-thinking solutions in controlled environment agriculture, greenhouse technology, plant breeding, circular horticulture, post-harvest innovation, and more, underlining the Netherlands' global leadership in modern, sustainable horticulture.

Gijs Theunissen, Agricultural Counsellor of the Netherlands Embassy in Thailand, states: "The Dutch horticultural sector continuously demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. At HortEx 2026, the Netherlands Lounge will show how technology, knowledge, and collaboration can help shape the future of horticulture and floriculture production in Asia and beyond."

Mirjam Boekestijn of Dutch Greenhouse Delta adds: "The Dutch horticultural ecosystem, from seed breeding to climate control, from biological pest management to smart post-harvest solutions, is more than just technology. It is about adapting innovations to local circumstances and sharing knowledge and expertise. Through platforms like HortEx 2026 in Bangkok, the Netherlands aims to strengthen partnerships across Southeast Asia and collaborate with regional counterparts to realize ambitions in sustainable, local production of fresh and safe vegetables, plants, and flowers."