Growing Brussels sprouts runs in the family.

For brothers Jan and Ronald Herbert, Brussels sprouts have been part of life since childhood. Today, they run a specialist Brussels sprout growing business in Zeewolde, where years of experience and innovation go hand in hand. From the field to grading, the brothers are closely involved in every step of the process.

Relocating for Brussels sprouts

Jan and Ronald have been growing Brussels sprouts since 1984. After starting their own business in Waddinxveen, they moved to Zeewolde in 2001. The soil in Flevoland proved particularly well suited to Brussels sprout cultivation and provided the foundation for the company’s further development. Today, the brothers grow Brussels sprouts on a large scale and know the crop inside out.

From the field to the grading department

At Herbert, much of the growing process is handled in-house, from soil preparation and planting to crop care and harvesting. After harvest, the Brussels sprouts are taken to the grading department and cooled as quickly as possible. They are then graded by size.

This close connection between harvesting and processing requires good organisation and precise planning. At the same time, knowledge of the crop remains essential: each growing cycle brings its own conditions and calls for the right decisions at the right time.

Innovation driven by practical experience

At Herbert, years of experience go hand in hand with a drive for continuous development. Jan and Ronald were involved in developing and implementing automated harvesting technology for Brussels sprouts. What began as a dream of further automating the picking process became a practical reality.

Technology is also used in day-to-day cultivation. The tractors and crop sprayer are GPS-guided, enabling greater precision and helping to reduce resource and fuel use.

For Jan and Ronald, it ultimately comes down to combining experience with a forward-looking approach. Because anyone who wants to grow a crop like Brussels sprouts well knows that standing still is not an option.