Austria's largest grower expands with 10+ hectares

Austrian fresh produce trader Perlinger Gemuse is increasing its own production acreage. As the traders sees an increased demand for safe, regionally grown products, they are expanding their greenhouses from 20 to 30 hectares.

Perlinger Gemuse is one of the largest Austrian fresh produce trade companies. The family business was originally a small farm. After Werner Perlinger began to offer his own product on the wholesale market in the 70s, more and more growers decided to let him sell their vegetables as well.

Meanwhile Perlinger Gemuse trades product for more than a hundred growers united in a producer organization. There have been good relationships with retailers such as Billa and Lowa since the 80s and much product is also sold regionally.

All those years, besides trading for other producers, Perlinger Gemuse has continued to grow their own crops. The origin of their production is located in two small plastic greenhouses. Over the years this evolved into high-tech horticulture on an area of 20 hectares: 15 hectares of bell peppers and another 5 hectares of tomato. This already makes them the largest greenhouse vegetable grower in the country.

Now they have decided to further increase their acreage. Manager Patrick Haider: "Austrian consumers choose Austrian product. That's why we want to expand our own production. After the expansion there should be 13 hectares of tomato and 20 hectares of bell peppers."

Austrian entrepreneurs choose to focus on taste in their tomato offer of medium and vine tomatoes. Hereby trade and retail demand year-round production. So lighting will be hung above part of the tomatoes. Haider: " The greenhouse must be ready in October. Then we can harvest next winter."