Colin Parker (GM) and Scott Bromwich (BDM) from our Daltons Team recently traveled to Europe to attend the International Plant Fair (IPM) 2025 in Essen, Germany. The event is an amazing hub of innovation, bringing together growers, suppliers, and industry leaders to explore the latest advancements in horticulture.
Whilst there, they also visited our Daltons suppliers such as Javo, HerkuPlast and some of their nursery customers. The trip provided valuable insights into where the industry is heading globally and ideas and inspiration of what we can apply here in New Zealand. Below we dive into a little more detail around the key insights.
The Rise of AI and Robotics in Horticulture
One of the biggest takeaways both Colin and Scott took from IPM 2025 and touring various nurseries and suppliers was just how advanced automation has become.
AI-powered robots are no longer a futuristic concept - they're here and actively transforming nursery operations. Growers now have access to cutting-edge technology that can:
- Take cuttings and plant with precision: Robots that handle delicate propagation tasks, ensuring consistent quality.
- Transplant seedlings seamlessly: Robotic arms that move plants between growing environments with remarkable accuracy.
- Streamline vertical farming: Conveyor belt systems that help plants move efficiently through different growth stages.
- Create AI-driven climate control: Smart sensors analyse plant health, predict growth rates, and automatically adjust temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels to optimise conditions.
These developments signal a future where high-tech nurseries operate with incredible efficiency, making it easier for growers to scale up production while maintaining consistency and quality.
The Global Sustainability Push
Another major theme was sustainability - an area where pressure is mounting for businesses across the horticultural sector.
Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) are now a key measure of a company’s environmental impact, tracking everything from the carbon footprint of growing media to the emissions from transportation.
Scott said "We saw that all businesses are subject to these LCA's which gives a total breakdown of carbon footprint and emissions from every piece of impact of your business. From growing media to pots to fertilisers, even the transport you use to get around the nursery, to the way you run your business. Everything comes into play."Key takeaways:
- Environmental commitment across the board: Every exhibitor at IPM was promoting an eco-friendly benefit to their product, showing just how essential sustainability has become.
- Strict LCA evaluations: Every aspect of operations is being scrutinised, from the thickness of plastic in pots to the sustainability of ingredients in substrates.
- Industry leaders paving the way: Companies like Desch and ICL are at the forefront of sustainable initiatives. Other global brands such as IKEA are setting the standard for responsible business practices.
Emerging Trends Shaping the Industry
Beyond automation and sustainability, several other key trends emerged from IPM 2025 that is impacting the future of horticulture:
- Raw material availability: Global demand for key horticultural inputs is rising, influencing supply chains and pricing.
- Larger-scale growers: The industry is shifting towards bigger, more efficient operations that can meet increasing consumer demand.
- Digitalisation: AI-driven crop management, smart greenhouse systems, and data analytics are helping growers fine-tune operations and improve yields.
What This Means for Growers
Thinking about New Zealand - keeping up means embracing new technologies and adopting more sustainable practices. Although the size of our industry here is much smaller, things will move rapidly and those who adapt will be well-positioned for success in the future.
Technology and Efficiencies - Looking Ahead
The IPM 2025 show and various visits the team took reinforced the global drive for innovation and environmental responsibility. As automation and AI continue to evolve, nurseries that invest in these advancements will stay ahead of the curve. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword - it’s an expectation, shaping the way businesses operate at every level.
What else we can expect to see more of:
- Robots taking over manual tasks: Automated sorting, packaging, and even drone monitoring will become commonplace.
- Self-driving carts and automated logistics: Transporting plants and supplies will be streamlined with autonomous vehicles.
- Factory-style production models: Standardised growing systems will ensure uniformity and efficiency, with AI helping predict market demand to reduce waste.
The future of horticulture is smart, sustainable, and filled with exciting opportunities for those ready to embrace change - big or small.
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