Economic analyses of the Dutch greenhouse chain in a changing environment

Horticultural greenhouse firms operate in a changing environment. This thesis has investigated the socio-economic consequences of market environment changes on supply, demand and prices throughout the Dutch greenhouse horticulture chain. The following market changes were studied: the increasing need for reducing fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions, the on-going consolidation among retail companies, and the increasing probability of health scares and border closures due to higher frequency of food safety hazards or reforms in trade regulations. Partial equilibrium models which dealt with these market environment changes, such as trade regulations, increasing market concentration and environmental changes, are reviewed. Subsequently, the economic consequences of the changes are examined.