For decades, strawberry cultivation in Uruguay has been closely linked to the soil. In fact, until very recently, more than 95% of national production was carried out using traditional methods, with all the limitations that this entails: health problems, high dependence on labor, irregular yields, and high pressure on water and inputs.
Hydroponics barely existed in the country, and when it was used, it tended to rely on rudimentary gutters and improvised substrates, mixtures of sand and rice husks, with no real control over drainage or root health. The result was predictable: unstable systems, low uniformity, and little confidence on the part of producers.
A turning point: the first professional hydroponic project
The real change came in 2021, when a local producer invested in a professional elevated hydroponic system, with high-quality gutters and a design built to last. That first installation, with 15,000 plants, marked a turning point in the perception of soilless cultivation in Uruguay.
It was not just about producing in a different way, but about demonstrating with real data that well-designed hydroponics works better, even in local climatic conditions. Unlike other imported systems—such as NFT structures that did not adapt to the Uruguayan climate—the crop was grown in macro-tunnel greenhouses, a much more stable and efficient solution for the region.
Five years later, the results speak for themselves.
© JH Hydroponic Systems S.L.
Sustained growth, more plants, and higher production
Today, that first project has grown into a network of producers totaling more than 16,000 m² of hydroponic cultivation, with around 160,000 strawberry plants currently in production and clear forecasts of exceeding 200,000 plants in the coming year.
This growth reflects a concrete economic and productive reality rather than a passing trend. Producers are seeing higher yields per plant thanks to healthier, more stable root systems, along with increased marketable volume driven by more uniform, higher-quality fruit. Post-harvest life is longer, which is critical for supplying large retailers and supporting direct sales, and fruit presentation has improved due to reduced handling during harvest and post-harvest. In some cases, sales prices have reached up to €6 per kilogram, a level that would be unthinkable with traditional field systems.
© JH Hydroponic Systems S.L.
The technical key: healthy roots, total control, and real savings
The qualitative leap can be explained by one essential factor: control of the root environment. Hydroponic Systems' systems, with highly durable raised gutters and solutions that prevent the substrate from coming into contact with problematic surfaces, eliminate water accumulation and sources of pathogens, ensure clean and continuous drainage, reuse drainage water in other crops, reducing water consumption, and optimize the use of fertilizers, applying them more precisely and efficiently.
The result is lower production costs, accompanied by significant savings in water, fertilizers, and phytosanitary treatments, as well as a clear reduction in environmental impact.
© JH Hydroponic Systems S.L.
Beyond the product: support that builds trust
Another decisive aspect in this success story has been the comprehensive approach to the project. Producers have not only invested in a growing system, but also in a solution backed by real knowledge, based on direct experience as producers.
This support includes the design and assembly of the system, ongoing technical advice at no additional cost, and assistance in preparing investment projects to access bank financing. This proximity generates something key in any agricultural investment: certainty. Producers see that the system works, that others have already improved their results, and that the payback period is shorter than expected.
A key alliance for Uruguayan farmers
It should be noted that one of the main precursors and leaders of this transformation in hydroponic strawberry cultivation in Uruguay has been AGUAS URUGUAY, a family-owned company of producers that, in partnership with Hydroponic Systems, has led the implementation of professional hydroponic systems in the country. With more than 12 years of experience in the sector, Aguas Uruguay has developed a comprehensive approach that encompasses the design, planning, installation, and implementation of projects, along with ongoing agronomic management and consulting. This combination of high-quality technology, technical knowledge, and local production experience has made it possible to offer efficient, reliable solutions adapted to Uruguay's production conditions, contributing in a sustained manner to the modernization and competitiveness of the national fruit and vegetable sector.
© JH Hydroponic Systems S.L.
The future of strawberries in Uruguay is no longer in the soil
Today, even many of the farmers who were skeptical of hydroponics recognize that open field cultivation is no longer viable in terms of profitability, health, and efficiency. Labor shortages, low productivity, and growing market demands have accelerated the change in mindset.
Professional hydroponics is no longer an alternative: it is a strategic tool for producing more, better, and with fewer resources.
This real-life case in Uruguay shows that investing in high-quality systems makes a difference. Not all growing gutters are the same. Not all hydroponic solutions offer the same results. When design, materials, and knowledge align, the impact on yield and savings is measurable.
For more information:
Hydroponic Systems
Email: [email protected]
https://hydroponicsystems.eu/
