Greenhouse production is an important part of the vegetable sector in Poland. It is also the sector where Dutch technology is a worldwide leader in technology and innovative solutions. The Embassy in Warsaw invited guests from the Netherlands for a conference dedicated to Polish tomato growers to present the best and most sustainable solutions for this type of production offered by Dutch companies.
The guests were also eager to learn more about the current level of development of the Polish greenhouse sector. Therefore they were invited to see the Polish greenhouse production. They visited three big Polish greenhouses:
- Baziółka with herb production
- Nowalijka with hydroponic lettuce production
- And a Polish tomato grower.
All three visited greenhouses brought nice input into the knowledge of the speakers.
Plastic tunnels and a robot at Baziółka
Poland has around 5000ha production under cover. According to diverse measures up to 60% of the production occurs in greenhouse tunnels.
At Baziółka the guests learned what a production tunnel means. With double layers and air pressed between the two, tunnels are a really good alternative for a regular greenhouse, with way less financial effort for the grower. Also, there is a possibility to fully open the roof so in case of too much warmth inside, the ventilation goes smoothly.
At the premises, there was also a possibility to check out a robot that was picking the young mint plants into pots to be used later in the production process.
The whole greenhouse is surrounded by maize fields, which is a challenge and a natural check for the hygiene methods used at Baziółka. The company is selling its herbs to most of the Polish retail chains. Both as its own brand or a private label of the retail chain.
Baziółka uses gas as a main source of energy and the company has a cogeneration furnace to produce their energy.
Nowalijka- from trade to production
The second company, Nowalijka, was initially operating only in trade, but the market forced the family to establish a greenhouse and start their own production. Over the years they grew, and now the production covers up to 60% of their profit and trade is responsible for 40%. The company has contracts with growers from the neighborhood who produce their commodities for Nowalijka. The company re-sells them further to retailers or uses them for its own products like salads, soups, and other ready-to-eat meals that are also sold to retail chains.
Floriańczyk
A very unique opportunity was the visit to the Polish tomato grower, Mr Floriańczyk. In his two greenhouses, he only grows a so-called pink tomato, which is desired in the Polish market.
As the variety he is using is still not ToBRFV proof, it was a rare possibility to get into the greenhouse. Mr. Floriańczyk is using biological protection for his tomatoes and sells them to the biggest Polish retail chain, Biedronka.
He drew the group's attention to the small sticky labels that have to be put on every produced tomato. He's now thinking about the possibility of removing it from the fruit, as it is only additional plastic without any added value.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland.