A major step towards sustainable, year-round vegetable production was taken in Slovenia as Panvita Group, under Croatian holding Bosqar, opened a €9 million automated greenhouse. This project highlights the growing trend of climate-smart agriculture in Europe and signals future expansion across the region.
In a move that underscores the accelerating shift toward sustainable and high-tech farming, Slovenian agricultural and food company Panvita Group, a subsidiary of Croatia’s Bosqar holding company, has officially opened a €9 million ($10.2 million) greenhouse in Nemščak, Prekmurje, eastern Slovenia. Completed in April 2025, this advanced facility is designed for eco-friendly, year-round lettuce production, utilizing the latest climate control and automation technologies.
Spanning more than 21,000 square meters, the greenhouse is capable of producing up to 4 million heads of lettuce annually. A key sustainability feature includes the use of biodegradable materials for seedling cultivation, aligning with Europe’s strong push toward greener agricultural practices under initiatives like the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.
Industry Context:
Greenhouse agriculture is booming globally, with market research indicating that the global smart greenhouse market is projected to reach $4.3 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% from 2022 to 2027 (MarketsandMarkets, 2024 report). European countries, particularly those in the EU, are leading this transition, investing heavily in energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable greenhouse solutions.
Slovenia’s agricultural sector, though traditionally focused on open-field farming, is increasingly investing in protected cultivation. According to Slovenia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country has seen a 12% increase in greenhouse vegetable production from 2022 to 2024, driven by the need for stable domestic supply and climate resilience.
Corporate Strategy:
The new lettuce greenhouse is among the first major infrastructure projects since Bosqar finalized a €50 million investment for a majority stake in Panvita Group in November 2024. Panvita, a historic agri-food leader founded over a century ago, currently manages over 3,500 hectares of farmland and employs more than 700 people. The group’s “Future Food” vertical aims to promote sustainability, innovation, and local food production.
Bosqar’s strategic investment reflects a broader European trend where major holdings are consolidating agricultural assets to build resilient, vertically integrated food production systems. Bosqar’s shares remain stable, closing at €230 on the Zagreb Stock Exchange following the announcement.
Panvita’s new greenhouse not only sets a new benchmark for sustainable lettuce production in Slovenia but also signals the future of European agriculture — one where automation, eco-friendly practices, and strategic investments converge. As climate challenges grow and consumer demands shift towards locally produced, sustainable food, such infrastructure projects will become essential to securing the future of farming across the continent.
