Sweden's largest grower of fresh herbs, Svegro, is investing in a new greenhouse in Färingsö outside Stockholm. In the new, automated greenhouse, plans are to grow 2.2 million heads of lettuce annually on 2,4 ha.
"The consumption of lettuce in Sweden is approximately 5.5 kilos per person per year. Only 40% of all lettuce consumed is grown in Sweden, primarily during the summer months. During the remaining months, lettuce is imported mainly from Spain, but also from other Southern European countries, which involves long transports", the team says.
Kristin Orrestig, CEO of Svegro
"There is strong demand from our customers for Swedish-grown products. ICA's long-term goal is to offer fruit and vegetables grown in Sweden, year-round, wherever possible. Over the past year, we have purposefully increased the proportion in our assortment, and we are optimistic about opportunities for more Swedish-grown products in the future," says Jonas Andersson, Business Area Manager for Fruit, Vegetables, and Flowers at ICA Sweden.
For lettuce imported from other countries, transportation accounts for up to 80 percent of the product's carbon dioxide emissions. In addition to transportation, energy consumption and packaging also have a significant environmental impact. "By growing in Sweden with renewable energy, the product's climate footprint will be lower compared to imported lettuce. Svegro's transports are carried out using renewable fuel, which further reduces carbon dioxide emissions."
Renewable energy
"Many are aware that the use of chemical pesticides is greater for imported lettuce than for Swedish-grown lettuce. Shorter transport distances and the importance of Swedish food production are other reasons consumers choose Swedish products. With the new greenhouse in place, we can grow around 2.2 million heads of lettuce a year, which corresponds to about 10 percent of the Swedish market, excluding iceberg lettuce. The fact that we will be able to deliver even more Swedish-grown lettuce every day, all year round, is something we see as a great success," says Kristin Orrestig, CEO of Svegro.
The new greenhouse
Svegro estimates that the new 4,200 m² greenhouse will be ready in autumn 2024 and that production will begin in spring 2025. The project includes a greenhouse, growing equipment, lighting, sowing machine, harvesting station, packing equipment, and associated conveyors. The greenhouse consists an automated growing system designed for lettuce. "The plants are transported through the greenhouse from sowing to harvest, and at the final stage, the product is quality-checked and touched by human hands for the first time", they say.
Since Svegro was founded in 1960, its focus has been on sustainability and innovation, which has created long-term and profitable success. In their current greenhouse, in Färingsö, outside Stockholm, micro-herbs and lettuce are also grown. In 2023, Svegro's climate goals were officially approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Svegro has approximately 70 employees and had a turnover of around SEK 200 million in 2023.
For more information:
Svegro
www.svegro.se