At the beginning of this year, the foundation was laid for the expansion of Dutch pepper grower Hoogweg. In addition to the 120 hectares spread over 5 locations, this year 24 hectares will be added in Luttelgeest, in 2 phases.
It is a new extension on top of the 15 hectares that were added in Marknesse in 2018.
Greenhouse without gas
In addition to new greenhouses, also a start with geothermal heat was made. Since 8 March 2019, the greenhouses have been heated with the sustainable heat source.
The new greenhouses will not be provided with a gas connection. "We are going to heat here with the heat from the geothermal installation and a biomass boiler," says Mariska Hoogweg.
Economies of scale
The next phase of construction has started with the construction of both a greenhouse and a processing space. In 2014 they started with packaging in-house. "From the moment that you grow a certain amount of peppers yourself, you can also start packaging them cost-effectively", as Mariska said in 2018.
The packaging activities will continue to take place in the current processing building. The processing building that will be built this year will be used to sort peppers.
First construction update
'Glass-ready' in July
The framework for the canteens has already been put up, the nursery shared on LinkedIn recently. Work on the foundation is in progress. The steel structure of the greenhouse will be placed on the foundation.
If everything goes according to plan, it is expected that the glass in Luttelgeest can be installed on the greenhouse roof in June and for the facades in July.
Colors still to be selected
For the next growing season, the greenhouse should be filled with bell pepper plants. The choice of colors for the peppers that will be in the greenhouses has yet to be made.
"We aim to produce high-quality bell peppers in a sustainable and efficient manner. The expansion is part of growing bell peppers in this manner."
Extra workforce
New greenhouses also require extra labor, so for those who always wanted to have a look (or work) in the greenhouse, have a look here.
For more information:
Hoogweg Paprikakwekerijen
www.hoogweg.nl