On Friday afternoon, a nine-hectare greenhouse complex in Middenmeer, Noord-Holland, suddenly collapsed, resulting in an estimated €20 million in damages, according to Agro Care, the company operating the facility. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as most employees had already left the site. Security footage captured the moment of collapse, which occurred just after 4:30 p.m., leaving behind a scene of near-total destruction.
The greenhouse, built in 2015, was considered a hypermodern facility, with all maintenance reportedly up to date. At the time of the incident, the structure was undergoing renovations to install energy-saving screens, which Agro Care suggested “may have played a role” in the collapse. The facility housed tomato seedlings around three weeks old, and while 65 employees had been working there earlier in the day, none were inside when the structure failed.
Investigations Underway: Structural Weaknesses or External Factors?
Initial assessments indicate that almost all technical installations were destroyed, complicating the investigation. Building inspectors and insurance experts are now working to determine the exact cause. Meanwhile, an adjacent greenhouse remained intact, but Agro Care has halted all operations until safety can be confirmed.
This incident raises critical concerns about greenhouse structural integrity, particularly as modern facilities incorporate advanced energy-saving technologies. Similar collapses, though rare, have occurred elsewhere—such as the 2022 greenhouse collapse in Canada due to snow load miscalculations—highlighting the need for rigorous engineering reviews.
Strengthening Safety in Agricultural Infrastructure
The Middenmeer collapse serves as a stark reminder that even state-of-the-art agricultural facilities are not immune to catastrophic failures. As the industry moves toward more sustainable and energy-efficient designs, engineers and farm operators must prioritize structural assessments, real-time monitoring, and risk mitigation strategies to prevent future disasters.
