The year-round supply of crisp, fresh lettuces from German cultivation: until a few years ago, this was something like a pipe dream. Now, thanks to the latest hydroponic technology, we find locally produced leafy vegetables on the fresh produce shelves more and more often during the cold season. The construction of a new 2.5 hectare hydroponics plant in Vettweiss is expected to result in the first winter lettuces from the Rhineland by the end of the year, says Elisabeth Graaff, Managing Director of Rheinlandgemüse Hydro & Co and the driving force behind this forward-looking project.
Elisabeth Graaff
The young vegetable farmer has already been at the helm of her parents' farm, called Rheinlandkräuter Ltd, for several years and so she is familiar with growing herbs and leafy vegetables outdoors. "Due to the numerous challenges in outdoor cultivation, such as personnel, weather caprices, fertilization, water resources, the idea arose two years ago to enter greenhouse cultivation, where the growing conditions are more controllable. For the time being, we will devote ourselves exclusively to the hydroponic cultivation of trio lettuce, which is unique in this form in our region," Graaff says.
The Graaff family business: In addition to the greenhouse facilities, the new site will also include packaging, water technology, energy and office facilities on a total of approximately 3 hectares. Commissioning is scheduled for the end of the year.
High sales potential for hydrosalad
In hydroponic cultivation, a gutter system is used in which the lettuces with root balls stand in holes instead of substrate and the nutrients are flushed through the gutters. Possible water losses are thus completely eliminated and an efficient growing process is created. At present, high energy costs make the general conditions somewhat more difficult. Graaff: "However, we expect the investments to bear fruit and that this step will equip us for the future."
The salad is marketed to German food retailers via Vitfrisch eG. Graaff says: "The demand for German salads is there all year round. We want to meet this year-round demand for high-quality salads through this project. In winter, we have a clear market advantage over imported goods simply because of regionality and short transport routes. In summer, the hydroponics stand out from the outdoor product in that they are free of soil and any kind of contamination. Therefore, I see a high sales potential for hydrosalads in the longer term. Consumers will appreciate the year-round resource-saving production from the region with tasty freshness, we are convinced."
In contrast to the hydrosalads, the free-range products are not only reserved for food retailers. In addition to distribution through Vitfrisch, part of the yield is marketed in-house.
Thriving market for outdoor herbs
The classic open-air cultivation of the parental farm will continue to exist. "We firmly believe that the two mainstays complement each other well," Graaff emphasizes. Demand for German herbs developed quite well during Corona, she says, and the outlook for the upcoming season is also rather positive. "The marketing window for our outdoor herbs is concentrated from May to November, and outside the peak season we offer rhubarb in spring and lamb's lettuce in winter. Across the board, we see high, steady demand for outdoor produce, and hydroponic farming will generate additional sales."
Images: Rheinlandkräuter Graaff
For more information:
Elisabeth Graaff
Rheinlandgemüse Hydro GmbH & Co. KG
Rheinlandkräuter Graaff
Gut Veitzheim
52391 Vettweiß
Tel: +49 (0) 2424 9052616
elisabeth@rheinlandkraeuter.de
www.rheinlandkraeuter.de