From open-field vegetables and ornamental plants to chrysanthemums, packaging materials and much more, The Beekenkamp Group is active across a wide range of markets. With a 70-year history, this family-owned business employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Maasdijk, but is also active in France, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Colombia and the United States. A list to be proud of.
Data-driven cultivation
As a cultivation coordinator, Dimitri Oosterwijk ensures that the quality of Beekenkamp Group’s open-field vegetables remains consistently high. Various types of cabbage, as well as lettuce, celeriac, leeks and herbs, are grown under his supervision. "We make maximum use of data-driven cultivation to identify potential issues early and intervene swiftly when needed,” he says. The sector is facing many challenges, which Dimitri encounters on a daily basis. " An increasing number of crop protection products are being phased out, making prevention more important than ever than cure. At the same time, we must develop sustainable, energy-neutral growing methods that remain economically viable. Add to that climate change and rapidly evolving government regulations, and it becomes clear that we almost constantly have to adapt." So it is certainly not a simple task— but thanks to the right partnerships, it is proving to be surprisingly successful.
The ideal mix
Dimitri is committed to strengthening plants, making them less susceptible to stress and diseases. Production involves pressed plugs, pressed pots and loose-filled trays. While peat, compost, wood fibre and sand are the main ingredients, the precise combination of fertilisers plays an equally vital role. "Together with Kekkilä-BVB and DCM, we aim to create a soil full of life that has good resilience and can deliver sufficient nutrients to the plant at the right time. The balance between all components has to be right: bacteria, fungi, water, oxygen, as well as crop protection and fertilisers."
