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Why an Increasing Number of Growers Choose Second-hand Greenhouse Machinery
Today, more and more farmers and growers are opting to acquire used machinery. In Europe, 2 out of 3 agricultural machines are purchased second-hand, and the second-hand market is rapidly expanding.
The reasons for this vary, but price often plays a significant role. Additionally, the delivery times for new machines are becoming increasingly extended, while used machines can be delivered promptly.
In the greenhouse cultivation niche, Duijndam Machines, with over 1300 machines in stock, is one of the largest suppliers of second-hand greenhouse machinery in the Benelux region. With over 40 years of experience, they are a trusted partner for many growers worldwide.
In this blog, Robbert, the son of founder Bert Duijndam, explains why more and more greenhouse growers are opting for used machines and which greenhouse machines are the best-selling.
Used greenhouse machines are more affordable
With machines, it's similar to cars, says Robbert; "Ideally, you want to buy them as young second-hand. The price is much more favorable than new, and they still last for years." This principle applies to greenhouse machines as well because few entrepreneurs decline a savings of up to 60%.
Due to tight profit margins, it's increasingly challenging for entrepreneurs in greenhouse cultivation to be profitable. Therefore, they are constantly looking for ways to cut costs. A relatively easy way to save is by economizing on equipment. Especially for small businesses, the number of cultivated hectares is often insufficient to recoup the costs of a new machine, with high depreciation expenses.
Moreover, digitalization has significantly increased the supply of used greenhouse machinery, making choosing second-hand much easier. This brings us to point 2.
Digitalization leads to a larger supply
The trend toward online is ongoing in all sectors, says Robbert, but where he witnessed it accelerate was during the COVID-19 pandemic; "Everyone was suddenly confined to their homes, and almost everything, including machine dealers, was closed. Like groceries and clothing, growers also turned to online for their machines."
This crisis significantly expedited digitalization. For growers, this is a real advantage because not only is the used inventory of the local dealer available, but essentially, the selection is worldwide. This makes opting for second-hand much more convenient.
Especially for niche machines in greenhouse cultivation, the local dealer's supply was often insufficient. Now that growers have platforms like Duijndam Machines at their disposal, they can search globally for specialized equipment.
Used greenhouse machines are readily available
As the third reason that Robbert sees as a factor why more and more greenhouse growers choose second-hand is the (long) delivery time for new equipment. More and more new (greenhouse) machines are no longer immediately available, forcing growers to wait for an extended period until their ordered machine is ready. If this is anticipated in advance, it may not be a problem, but for growers who need to replace their machine more ad hoc, for example, due to a defect, this is not an option.
In contrast to new greenhouse machines, used machines are always immediately available. For instance, Duijndam has 1300 machines in stock, all of which are readily deliverable. This is a significant advantage of choosing second-hand, notes Robbert.
Popular second-hand machines in greenhouse cultivation
Duijndam Machines specializes in greenhouse machinery. Unlike other platforms that often offer the entire spectrum of machines, Duijndam intentionally focuses on the greenhouse grower. Because they are originally greenhouse growers themselves, they not only have knowledge of the equipment but also know precisely what a greenhouse grower needs from their own experience. Duijndam positions itself as an advisor and partner, offering much more than just machines.
Here are some of the most popular machines for greenhouse cultivation that we have highlighted:
Packaging machines for greenhouse cultivation
Packaging machines are essential in greenhouse cultivation. Almost everything grown in the greenhouses is packaged. This increases the demand for packaging machines. Packaging machines that Duijndam often sells second-hand include:
Shrink film packaging machines
Sorting machines for greenhouse cultivation
In addition to packaging, properly sorting the harvest is crucial for greenhouse growers. Because the demand for these machines is always high, Duijndam actively seeks to expand their offering. The most popular types include:
Fruit and apple sorting machines
When choosing sorting machines, it's important to select a type suitable for your cultivation. However, sorting machines can often sort vegetables that resemble the original in shape. For example, cucumber sorting machines can also be used to sort zucchinis.
Transportation equipment for greenhouse cultivation
Finally, and perhaps the most popular category when it comes to second-hand machines in greenhouse cultivation, is transportation equipment. Transportation equipment is widely used in greenhouse cultivation, from sowing to harvest and processing. For every step in the cultivation process, transportation equipment is needed.
The most popular types include:
Are you a greenhouse grower looking for an affordable way to upgrade or replace your equipment? Consider, like many other growers, the benefits of acquiring second-hand greenhouse machinery.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us! We can assist and advise you personally.