Two Belgian growers have big plans to supply locally grown greenhouse tomatoes North of Paris. Jonas and Kevin Vandevelde have invested €15 million in a 9 hectare greenhouse farm in Arques. With their company Les Serres des Hauts-de-France they hope to produce 6,000 tons of tomatoes annually and fulfil 10% of regional consumption under the brand name Les Nouveaux Producteurs.
Picture courtesy of Gakon Horticultural Projects
The project is supported by the Belgian cooperative Reo Veiling, who are aiming to expand into France. The 1,200 members of the cooperative produces 250,000 tons of fruit and vegetables a year.
Commercial high tech greenhouse production should be promising North of Paris, not only for tomatoes but also for other crops like peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and strawberries. Serres des Hauts-de-France’s economic model relies on a large acreage with a high production volume. The company will use an economical attractive energy source: natural gas cogeneration.
Dutch greenhouse manufacturer Gakon will supply the structure. The first harvest is expected in March 2018. Les Serres des Hauts-de-France will employ 26 people to start with, later on 50 (full time equivalents).