Mauritius, the small island nation nestled in the Indian Ocean, may be best known as a tropical paradise, but beyond its picturesque beaches lies a complex and ever-evolving agricultural landscape. Companies like Agrex Ltd, specializing in the greenhouse industry and a subsidiary of the ENL Group (one of the largest conglomerates on the Mauritian Stock Exchange), focus on this area of expertise to help ensure food security for the country.
Alban de Speville, General Manager of Agrex, shares his insights on how to modernize greenhouse farming on an island marked by both promise and peril.
Alban de Speville, Agrex Limited, is the Mauritanian dealer of Riococo, and visits Shan Halamba and the Riococo team at Greentech Amsterdam 2025
The origins of Agrex
"We have existed for 12 years now and form part of a big multi-diversified group in Mauritius, ENL, which has been around for 200 years and is heavily rooted in sugarcane agriculture," Alban shares. While sugarcane remains a core sector, diversification is critical. This is where Agrex comes in with a focus on importing, wholesaling, and distributing high-quality greenhouse equipment across Mauritius.
One of the company's most unique moves was its unorthodox mapping strategy:
"Our strategy was with Google Earth. I spent nights on it, locating small greenhouses. Then with a GPS phone, we connected to these growers."
This level of groundwork covered helped Agrex gain a crucial first-mover advantage in an otherwise fragmented, unfamiliar, and informal agricultural landscape.
The patchwork of Mauritian greenhouses
Mauritius has roughly 1,000 greenhouse growers scattered across the island, each cultivating on plots averaging just 500 square meters. While this might suggest a rich ecosystem of local farming, Alban is candid about the challenges:
"It's a very atomised supply chain and you don't always know who is involved. It's quite informal."
In terms of technology, greenhouses in Mauritius are somewhere between basic and intermediate, depending on the global comparison.
"Compared to Dutch standards, it's low-tech. But for Africa and Asia, we could call it mid-tech."
Metal structures with insect-proof netting and diffused 200-micron plastic sheets are common. However, most systems lack automation, and only a handful of farms (perhaps four or five) use climate control systems.
The cyclone conundrum
One cannot talk about farming in Mauritius without addressing the looming threat of cyclones. "If you put €1 million into a structure and a cyclone hits next year, you lose everything. And there's no insurance."
This fundamental risk limits capital expenditure. Even though interest in more modern, automated systems is rising, especially over the last three years, investment remains cautious and typically comes from larger Mauritian groups.
The recent devastation in nearby Réunion Island, where winds hit 260km/h, only reinforces these fears. "Even good-quality structures were bent. It's not just the heat we are facing here, it's the wind too."
A climate of contrasts
Greenhouse farming in Mauritius is not only shaped by the wind but also by sharp seasonal contrasts. "In summer, greenhouses easily reach 45°C with 100% humidity. Pollination fails, and yields drop to a tenth of what you get in winter."
This results in extreme price volatility. For example, the price of tomatoes can reach €10 per kilo in summer but plummet to €1.50 in winter.
The paradox? While growers could make significant profits during the summer, when supply is low and prices are high, they can't grow effectively due to heat stress and pest pressure.
"Yes, automation like ventilated roofs would help, but these Dutch systems are very expensive. And again, there's the cyclone risk."
Pest pressure: A growing threat
In addition to climate challenges, pest control is a constant battle. "In Mauritius, you have all the pests, all the bacteria, all the fungi you can think of. Every year, we get around two new pests. And the regulations are getting stricter, with more pesticide actives being banned."
Tourism and international trade also contribute to this ecological vulnerability. "The climate is perfect for insects, making it a paradise for pests."
Cultural and structural barriers
When asked if cooperative models could allow small growers to pool resources for better equipment, Alban remains realistic:
"It's not in the Mauritian culture. Everyone does their own little thing and doesn't want to share knowledge."
This independent spirit may offer flexibility, but makes large-scale collaboration difficult. The absence of cooperative farming also stifles innovation and access to capital-intensive technologies.
The way forward
Despite the hurdles, he remains hopeful. One promising solution lies in indoor farming.
"It can resist cyclones and reduce pesticide use." Yet, even this is not a panacea, as price volatility and high upfront costs remain significant deterrents.
He adds a compelling policy recommendation: "The government could insure structures, not subsidise them, but insure them against cyclones. That would change everything."
"If one can invest in smart systems and overcome these risks, they'll be the only ones with tomatoes in summer, and they'll be worth their weight in gold."
For more information:
Agrex
Alban Doger de Spéville
+230 5423 7111
https://agrex.mu