press release GrootGroenPlus2025

PRESS RELEASE

June 22, 2026
 
The “Growing Together” theme takes center stage on the exhibition floor of GrootGroenPlus 2026
The GrootGroenPlus trade fair, which will be held in Zundert from September 30 to October 2, is once again clearly meeting a need this year. The 36th edition of this trade fair is attracting a large number of participants, including many from abroad.

Growth doesn’t happen on its own. Do you want your company to grow, and if so, why? Then it’s about making choices, taking initiative, and building connections. That’s what the GrootGroenPlus trade fair aims to bring to life on the exhibition floor this fall under the theme “Growing Together.”

The theme

Last year, the theme “Heart for Green” proved to be a success. That is why this year, too, a theme has been chosen that clearly comes up on the trade show floor and in conversations. The unifying power of a good theme that every participant can relate to in their own way. “Growing Together” is therefore not a rigid concept, but a framework that leaves room for different interpretations. The theme taps into something already visible in the sector. In recent years, there has not only been an increase in production, but also growth in quality and in the way companies connect with one another.
That movement takes physical form at the trade show. GrootGroenPlus attracts a broad and international audience but remains, at its core, a place where supply and demand meet—yet it explicitly aims to be more than that. A platform for genuine conversations—with customers, colleagues, suppliers, and new contacts alike.

Competitions

GrootGroenPlus is also a place that showcases what’s happening in the sector and provides a space for
innovations. This year, the Royal Association for Boskoop Cultures (KVBC) will once again judge new products. Naturally, this will be in conjunction with the GreenGrandPrix. This inspection was created to convince end-users of the plant’s visual qualities, but above all of the cultivation performance delivered. The philosophy behind the GreenGrandPrix is that if a plant receives a certain certification, it must subsequently adhere to those standards and be eligible for re-inspection to assess other aspects. For the GreenGrandPrix, a professional jury evaluates five criteria: the quality of the root system, the quality of the plant’s foliage, the plant-to-pot ratio, the ecological value, and the overall impression of the submitted plant.

Aspects on which the jury bases its assessment

The jury will not only evaluate the displayed presentation, using criteria such as show quality, plant-pot ratio, health, accompanying product information, and uniformity of the displayed varieties and cultivars. Additional points can be earned for the demonstrable health of the crop, its environmental friendliness, and its resilience.

Participants may therefore demonstrate that a product is not susceptible to, or is much less susceptible to, common pests and diseases.

The jury assesses whether the expectations raised by the description are accurate, and the explanations provided at the exhibitor’s own booth are also evaluated. Additionally, the (future) availability of the variety or cultivar in regular commercial trade can be a significant factor in awarding a prize. After all, GzrootGroenPlus is a trade fair where meeting the market demand for green products is paramount.

Additional activities

Within this framework, attention is also given to new ideas. Initiatives such as the Plein van Morgen will continue. The idea behind it remains the same: providing a platform for companies showcasing something new. Work is also underway to organize special events on Thursday and Friday. Thanks in part to a special program, key buyers from various countries will also be visiting GrootGroenPlus.

Registration as a participant is still open, but don’t wait too long—visitor registration will also be activated on the website: www.grootgroenplus.nl