I. Introduction: The “Climate-Controlled Cornerstone” of Modern Agriculture

In global agriculture and horticulture, greenhouses are indispensable infrastructure—ranging from small plastic film sheds for family farms to large-span glass greenhouses for commercial plantations and IoT-integrated intelligent multi-span greenhouses. Built with steel, glass, or PC panel structures and equipped with environmental control systems, they create stable growing conditions through light transmission, thermal insulation, and humidity regulation, underpinning continuous crop production and quality optimization.

China leads the global greenhouse production and export market. It boasts a complete industrial chain covering core components (steel frames, covering materials) to smart supporting systems (temperature control, irrigation, shading equipment). Large-scale manufacturing brings cost advantages, while upgraded technical standards—such as energy-saving insulation, IoT-based precision control, and eco-friendly materials—make Chinese greenhouses a top choice for global buyers. However, procurement requires attention to structural differences (single-span/multi-span), material specifications (glass/PC film thickness, steel frame corrosion resistance), and international certifications (ISO, CE) to mitigate supply risks.

This guide helps international buyers master key knowledge for sourcing from quality Chinese greenhouse manufacturers, enabling efficient supplier connection and access to high-performance, customized greenhouse solutions that meet diverse agricultural needs.

II. Main Application Scenarios of Greenhouses

1. Agricultural Production Scenarios

As the core application field of greenhouses, this category covers the entire crop planting chain and adapts to diverse geographical conditions and requirements:

• Off-season Crop Cultivation: Breaking through climatic constraints, it enables the planting of vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers in northern China during winter, and the cultivation of cold-tolerant vegetables (e.g., spinach, lettuce) in southern China during summer, ensuring the year-round supply of fruits and vegetables. In flower cultivation, it supports the winter growth of cut flowers like roses and lilies to meet the market demand throughout the year.
• Early-maturing/Late-maturing Crop Cultivation: In spring, greenhouses raise temperatures to advance the seedling cultivation of crops such as watermelons, strawberries, and eggplants. These seedlings are then transplanted to open fields when the external temperature is suitable, shortening the growth cycle and seizing market opportunities. In autumn, thermal insulation extends the crop growth period and delays the harvest time (e.g., late-maturing grapes and citrus fruits).
• Specialty Crop Cultivation: It is used for growing high-value-added medicinal plants (e.g., Dendrobium officinale, ginseng), tropical crops (e.g., pitayas, bananas in northern regions), edible fungi (e.g., shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms with controlled humidity and light), as well as soilless crops including hydroponic vegetables and aeroponic lettuce.
• Seedling Propagation: It provides high-quality seedlings for open-field agriculture and horticulture, such as rice seedlings, vegetable seedlings, and fruit tree saplings. By controlling temperature and humidity inside greenhouses, the survival rate and growth consistency of seedlings are significantly improved.

2. Scientific Research and Experimental Scenarios

• Agricultural research institutions use greenhouses to build controlled experimental environments for conducting studies on crop variety improvement, pest and disease control, water and fertilizer management technologies, and the impacts of environmental stress (high temperature, low temperature, drought). These facilities eliminate interference from natural environments and ensure the acquisition of accurate experimental data.
• Relevant agricultural majors in universities utilize greenhouses for teaching practice, allowing students to intuitively understand crop growth patterns and protected agriculture operation techniques.

3. Tourism and Leisure Scenarios

Modern agricultural parks and eco-farms develop greenhouses into tourism and experience projects, such as picking gardens (for greenhouse-grown strawberries and cherry tomatoes), flower viewing greenhouses, and tropical plant pavilions. Combining agricultural experiences and popular science education, these projects promote the development of leisure agriculture and rural tourism.

4. Other Special Scenarios

• In some regions, greenhouses serve as auxiliary facilities for livestock and poultry breeding. For example, insulated greenhouses are built for chicks and piglets in winter to reduce cold stress. They are also applied in aquaculture to control water temperature for raising tropical fish, shrimps, crabs, etc.
• In cold northern regions, greenhouses are used for overwintering protection of seedlings, preventing frost damage and ensuring the survival rate of afforestation in the following year.

1. Core Energy Cycle: Temperature Regulation (Heat Preservation + Heating + Cooling)

Temperature is the most fundamental regulatory target of greenhouses, and dynamic balance is achieved through multiple structures and equipment:

• Passive Heat Preservation and Heating: Greenhouses are mainly constructed with transparent covering materials (glass, PC solar panels, plastic films). During the day, these materials can efficiently transmit short-wave solar radiation, allowing the ground, soil, and crops inside the greenhouse to absorb heat and warm up. At night, when heat is emitted in the form of long-wave radiation, the enclosed structure reduces heat convection. Combined with thermal insulation blankets/straw mats (used at night in winter), the heat inside the greenhouse is retained to prevent sudden temperature drops. Some greenhouses in northern regions also lay thermal insulation layers under the soil to avoid root damage caused by excessively low ground temperatures.
• Active Heating: In low-temperature seasons, auxiliary heating can be achieved through coal/gas-fired heaters, electric heating wires, or hot water pipe heating systems. Modern agricultural greenhouses are often equipped with geothermal systems, which utilize the constant temperature characteristics of the underground to provide a stable heat source. Others adopt biomass combustion furnaces, balancing environmental protection and heating needs.
• Active Cooling: During high-temperature summer, ventilation systems (roof vents + side vents) are used to form air convection and expel hot air. Shade nets are deployed to block part of the intense sunlight and heat, preventing crop scorching due to overheating inside the greenhouse. High-end greenhouses are installed with pad-fan cooling systems, which realize rapid cooling by absorbing heat through water evaporation.

2. Light Management: Maximizing Natural Light + Artificial Supplement

Light is the energy source for crop photosynthesis. Greenhouses optimize light conditions through structural design and auxiliary equipment:

• Efficient Utilization of Natural Light: Most greenhouses adopt arch/ sloped structures and are oriented north-south (in the Northern Hemisphere) to ensure crops receive uniform sunlight, reducing shadow coverage. Transparent covering materials with high light transmittance are selected, and surface dust and snow are regularly cleaned to avoid affecting light penetration.
• Artificial Light Supplement: In winter with short daylight hours or rainy and cloudy weather, LED grow lights, high-pressure sodium lamps and other equipment are used for supplementary lighting. This extends the photosynthesis duration of crops and promotes their growth and development. The light spectrum of supplementary lamps can be adjusted according to crop types (e.g., leafy vegetables require mainly blue light, while fruit vegetables need primarily red light).

3. Humidity and Ventilation: Regulating Air Humidity to Prevent Pests and Diseases

High humidity is prone to occur in enclosed environments, leading to crop diseases. Thus, humidity needs to be regulated through ventilation and humidity control equipment:

• Natural Ventilation: By opening roof and side vents, air convection is formed relying on temperature differences and wind power between inside and outside the greenhouse. This expels high-humidity air and introduces dry external air to reduce humidity.
• Forced Ventilation: In large-scale greenhouses or windless weather, circulation fans are activated to accelerate air flow inside the greenhouse, avoiding local excessive humidity. Dehumidifiers (equipped in high-end greenhouses) are used for precise humidity control.
• Humidity Utilization: For humidity-loving crops (such as strawberries and lettuce), spray systems can be used to increase air humidity and meet their growth requirements. Meanwhile, appropriate humidity reduces crop water evaporation, saving irrigation water.

4. Water and Fertilizer Management: Precise Supply to Improve Resource Utilization

Most greenhouses are equipped with water-saving irrigation and precision fertilization systems, which avoid water and fertilizer waste in traditional planting and meet the needs of crops at different growth stages:

• Irrigation Methods: Common systems include drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation, which deliver water directly to the vicinity of crop roots, reducing evaporation and seepage. Some greenhouses are installed with ebb and flow irrigation systems, allowing crop roots to fully absorb water and nutrients through periodic water rise and fall.
• Integration of Water and Fertilizer: Fertilizers are dissolved in irrigation water and accurately delivered to crop roots through pipelines, realizing “fertilization while irrigation.” This not only saves fertilizer consumption but also prevents soil compaction and improves crop absorption efficiency. Some systems can automatically adjust the water-fertilizer ratio based on crop growth data.

5. Other Auxiliary Systems (Modern Agricultural Greenhouses)

With technological advancement, high-end greenhouses integrate more intelligent systems to achieve automated and precise management:

• Intelligent Control Systems: Sensors are used to real-time monitor data such as temperature, humidity, light, CO₂ concentration, and soil moisture inside the greenhouse. Computers or mobile apps automatically control the operation of ventilation, irrigation, light supplement, fertilization and other equipment, reducing manual intervention.
• CO₂ Fertilization Systems: In enclosed environments, crop photosynthesis consumes a large amount of CO₂, resulting in reduced concentration. CO₂ generators (e.g., natural gas or biomass combustion) are used to supplement CO₂, improving crop photosynthesis efficiency and increasing yield.
• Insect Screens and Pest Control: Insect screens are installed at greenhouse entrances and vents to physically block pests from entering. Combined with green prevention and control equipment such as sticky traps and insect-killing lamps, pesticide use is reduced, achieving green planting.

IV.How to Choose a Greenhouse？

Selecting export – oriented greenhouses requires focusing on core needs (crop types, target country’s environment, budget costs, technical adaptability), and making comprehensive decisions based on the product’s structural strength, weather resistance, operational convenience, and the industry standards of the target market. Below is a systematic selection framework and practical recommendations:

1. Clarify Core Needs: Pinpoint the Core Direction of Selection
   • Determine Greenhouse Grade by Crop Type
     • Common leafy vegetables (lettuce, romaine lettuce) and short – term seedling raising: Have low requirements for environmental control. Simple plastic film greenhouses are optional, balancing cost and practicality;
     • High – value – added crops (strawberries, tomatoes, high – end flowers): Require precise control of temperature, humidity, and light. Prioritize glass greenhouses or PC board intelligent greenhouses to meet the needs of refined cultivation;
     • Heat – loving crops (succulents, tropical fruits and vegetables): Need to be equipped with heating systems for cold target countries, and medium – sized plastic film greenhouses with cooling equipment can be selected for hot regions.
   • Determine Specifications by Planting Scale and Cycle
     • Home planting/small – scale experiments: Recommend small – sized plastic film greenhouses with a span of 5 – 8 meters and a length of 20 – 30 meters, which are flexible for assembly and disassembly and have low transportation costs;
     • Large – scale commercial planting (over 100 mu): Choose multi – span greenhouses with a span of 12 – 20 meters. They have high space utilization, adapt to foreign mechanized farming models, and improve production efficiency.
   • Balance Investment by Budget and Return
     • Low – cost short – term projects (1 – 3 years): Prioritize simple plastic film greenhouses, which are quick to build and low in cost, suitable for short – term leased land or trial planting needs;
     • Long – term stable operations (more than 5 years): Invest in glass or PC board greenhouses, which are durable and have low operational and maintenance costs. They conform to the long – term profit logic of large – scale agriculture abroad and enhance product competitiveness.
2. Adapt to Foreign Environments: Address Global Regional Climatic Differences

   Customize the greenhouse structure and supporting systems according to the climate characteristics (temperature, light, wind force, rainfall, etc.) of the target export country, while complying with local building codes and disaster resistance standards:

   • Cold/Temperate Regions (North America, Europe, Central Asia, etc.)
     • Core needs: Strong thermal insulation, resistance to heavy snow, and efficient heating;
     • Recommended types: Solar greenhouses (designed with a south – facing slope, covered with thickened thermal insulation blankets at night to reduce energy consumption), multi – span plastic film/glass greenhouses (equipped with oil/gas – fired heating systems and geothermal heating equipment);
     • Key configurations: Snow – load – resistant reinforced steel frames, double – layer insulated glass/thickened PC boards, soil cold protection layers, and automatic film – rolling thermal insulation systems.
   • Tropical/Subtropical Regions (Southeast Asia, South America, Southern Africa, etc.)
     • Core needs: Efficient cooling, strong ventilation, rain protection, and typhoon resistance;
     • Recommended types: Multi – span plastic film greenhouses (equipped with high – density shade nets and pad – fan cooling systems), detachable film arch sheds (the film can be removed in summer for natural ventilation);
     • Key configurations: Typhoon – resistant reinforced frames, heavy rain drainage gutters, insect screens, and UV – resistant special plastic films.
   • Rainy and Low – Light Regions (Western Europe, surrounding areas of South American rainforests, etc.)
     • Core needs: High light transmittance, adaptability to artificial supplementary lighting, moisture prevention, and mildew resistance;
     • Recommended types: Multi – span glass greenhouses (with a light transmittance of over 90%, stable and non – aging for a long time), matched with LED plant growth lamp supplementary lighting systems;
     • Key configurations: Light – transmitting coated glass, dehumidifiers, circulation fans, and light sensors.
   • Arid and Sandy Regions (Middle East, Northern Africa, etc.)
     • Core needs: Wind and sand resistance, water – saving irrigation, and moisture retention;
     • Recommended types: Closed PC board greenhouses to reduce wind and sand erosion, equipped with integrated water and fertilizer systems;
     • Key configurations: Wind and sand filter screens, drip/micro – sprinkler irrigation equipment, and soil water – retaining agent laying layers.
3. Focus on Key Configurations: Enhance the Practicality and Competitiveness of Export Products
   In addition to the basic structure, supporting equipment directly determines the planting efficiency and adaptability of the greenhouse. It is necessary to configure them according to the agricultural technical level and usage habits of the target country:
   • Basic Essential Configurations: Bidirectional vents (top + side) to improve air circulation, high – density insect screens (complying with foreign green planting standards), and water – saving irrigation systems (drip/micro – sprinkler irrigation, adapting to the water shortage situation in arid regions);
   • Climate – Adapted Configurations: Add thermal insulation blankets and oil – fired heating equipment for cold regions, install shade nets and pad – fan cooling systems for tropical regions, and configure full – spectrum LED supplementary lights for low – light regions;
   • Intelligent Upgrade Configurations: Temperature/humidity/light/CO₂ concentration sensors, mobile APP remote automatic control systems, and intelligent integrated water and fertilizer equipment, which are in line with the needs of large – scale and refined agricultural management in developed countries such as Europe and the United States;
   • Export – Exclusive Configurations: Electrical equipment that meets the voltage standards of the target country, internationally universal interface accessories, and multilingual operation manuals to reduce the usage threshold for overseas users.
4. Consider Subsequent Operation and Maintenance: Reduce Long – Term Usage Costs for Overseas Users
   • Convenience of Maintenance: Adopt greenhouses with modular design and standardized production of accessories to facilitate replacement and maintenance for overseas users; plastic film greenhouses are equipped with easily replaceable special films, and glass/PC board greenhouses use impact – resistant materials to reduce maintenance frequency;
   • Energy Consumption Optimization: Prioritize materials with good thermal insulation and energy – saving equipment, such as solar – assisted heating systems and photovoltaic shade sheds, to reduce electricity/fuel costs for users in the target country;
   • Site Adaptability: Design greenhouse solutions that can adapt to different terrains. Multi – span greenhouses are suitable for flat land, and solar greenhouses are suitable for sloping land. At the same time, provide customized site planning suggestions to expand the product’s adaptation range.

V. How to Find Greenhouse Suppliers in China？

VI. What are the Production Bases of Greenhouses?

1. Qingzhou, Shandong 🇨🇳 🌐: Known as “China’s Hometown of Flowers and Trees”, it has in-depth integration of the greenhouse manufacturing industry and the flower industry, with leading production capacity and market share. Its products include glass/membrane multi-span greenhouses and solar greenhouses, with large export volume. It also provides a complete industrial chain supporting resources such as seedling raising, irrigation and temperature control, suitable for bulk procurement and customized export orders.
2. Yongnian, Hebei 🥬 🚛: A core production area for protected leafy vegetables in North China, featuring a large scale of protected vegetable cultivation. Its main products are solar greenhouses, steel-framed arch sheds and small-to-medium arch sheds. Equipped with a mature intensive seedling raising system and high annual seedling output, its products focus on the early spring leafy vegetable market in Beijing and Tianjin, suitable for bulk procurement of standardized leafy vegetable greenhouses and meeting the needs of small and medium-sized farmers as well as cooperatives.
3. Foshan, Guangdong 🌸 🔬: Focused on supporting the cultivation of high-value flowers (such as phalaenopsis) and special fruits and vegetables, it mainly produces intelligent glass multi-span greenhouses and membrane steel structure greenhouses. These greenhouses integrate technologies including precise temperature control, integrated water and fertilizer systems, and light-converting agricultural films, adapting to the high-temperature and high-humidity environment in South China. Its products cover the Pearl River Delta and are exported overseas, with strong demand for high-value greenhouse facilities.

VII. Major Domestic Manufacturers of Greenhouses in China

1. Chengdu Chengfei Green Environment Technology Co., Ltd.

Since its inception in 1996, Chengfei Greenhouse has provided a full range of greenhouse services for global customers and gained wide recognition for its quality solutions and services.

2.Qingzhou Luyuan Greenhouse & Horticulture Engineering Co., Ltd.

A core manufacturer in Qingzhou, offering glass/PC multi-span greenhouses, photovoltaic greenhouses with irrigation and temperature control, ideal for flowers, vegetables and seedling raising.

3.Foshan Kunyu Greenhouse Engineering Co., Ltd.

A benchmark for high-value flower greenhouses in South China, specializing in phalaenopsis-specific greenhouses with precise environmental control, suitable for high-temperature, high-humidity and typhoon-prone climates.

4. Sichuan Chenchao Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.

A leading greenhouse enterprise in Southwest China, offering film multi-span greenhouses, solar greenhouses and seedling facilities, with rich construction experience adapting to mountainous climates in Southwest China.

5. Qingzhou Huade Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd

Covers Venlo-type glass, PC, film multi-span and solar greenhouses; customizes ecological restaurants and photovoltaic greenhouses.

6.Qingzhou Shine Tech Agriculture Equipment Co.,LTD

Main products are single tunnel greenhouse,multi span film greenhouse,polycarbonate greenhouse,Venlo glass greenhouse,Photovoltaic greenhouse,winter solar
greenhouse,blackout greenhouse,hydroponic system, greenhouse film,cooling fan and pad,shading system, heating system,nursery bench,etc.

7. Weifang Sainpoly Greenhouse Equipment Co., Ltd.

Covers Venlo-type glass, PC, film multi-span and solar greenhouses; customizes ecological restaurants and photovoltaic greenhouses, serving provinces nationwide.

IX. Choose IMEXsourcing as Your Greenhouse Sourcing Partner in China

When procuring high-quality greenhouses and related equipment from China, partnering with an experienced and reliable sourcing agent is crucial. IMEXsourcing stands out with a comprehensive service suite to streamline your procurement process and secure exceptional value, with core advantages as follows:

1. Extensive procurement expertise: With years of experience in the greenhouse sourcing industry, we accurately connect you with top Chinese suppliers, covering a full range of products including intelligent glass multi-span greenhouses, solar greenhouses, film arch sheds, and matching equipment (irrigation systems, temperature control devices) to meet diverse procurement needs for different crops and climates.
2. Bespoke solutions: We support customization based on your requirements, including greenhouse span/size, covering material selection (glass/PC board/anti-UV film), climate-adapted designs (anti-typhoon/insulation reinforcement), and intelligent system configuration (IoT monitoring, automatic water-fertilizer integration), perfectly aligning with your planting scale, crop types and regional environmental characteristics.
3. Strict supplier verification: We conduct comprehensive factory audits on cooperative manufacturers, verifying production capacity, structural design capabilities and quality control processes to ensure suppliers hold relevant certifications (e.g., ISO, agricultural facility production licenses) and products meet domestic and international safety and performance standards (load-bearing capacity, light transmittance).
4. Professional negotiation capabilities: Leveraging industry resources and aggregated procurement volume, we secure the most favorable pricing and terms for you, minimizing procurement costs while avoiding hidden expenses such as substandard materials or delayed delivery.
5. Full-cycle quality assurance: We implement a robust end-to-end quality management system, including sample confirmation, production process supervision, and pre-shipment inspection (verifying core indicators such as frame firmness, covering material performance, and accessory completeness), ensuring stable quality of delivered greenhouses and equipment.

X. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Chinese greenhouse market offers abundant opportunities for global buyers. By carefully researching product categories (from cost-effective film arch sheds to high-end intelligent glass multi-span greenhouses, cold-resistant solar greenhouses, and crop-specific custom facilities), clarifying technical parameters (such as structural load-bearing standards, climate-adapted configurations for diverse regions, and requirements for light transmittance and thermal insulation), and following a systematic procurement process, importers can source high-quality, cost-effective greenhouses to meet diverse market demands—whether for commercial crop cultivation, agricultural park development, or high-value flower planting needs.

Partnering with IMEXsourcing provides solid protection for your procurement journey. We understand that the greenhouse industry involves complex structural manufacturing and multi-system integration, and some factories may face operational instability risks, leading to issues like order delays, substandard component quality, and advance payment losses. Additionally, IMEXsourcing boasts a strategic location, just a 1-hour drive from Qingzhou, Shandong—the largest core greenhouse production base in China—enabling quick on-site inspections and real-time production supervision. Through on-site verification, we confirm factories’ actual operating status (e.g., equipment advancement, engineering team professionalism), financial health (e.g., potential cash flow risks), and past performance records (e.g., project completion timeliness), helping you screen high-quality manufacturers with stable operations and strong risk resistance from the source, and completely avoiding financial losses and procurement disruptions caused by factory operational problems.