In the picturesque wine region of La Rioja, Spain, the Pérez brothers are pioneering a new era of agriculture. Álvaro and Marcos Pérez, both agricultural engineers from a family with a long history in horticulture, have introduced high-tech greenhouse tomato cultivation to a region primarily known for its extensive vineyards. Their company, Riojaselecto, operates cutting-edge greenhouses at over 500 meters above sea level, producing top-quality tomatoes in two distinct growing cycles.
“We started in 2014 with greenhouses featuring polycarbonate walls and a double-layer plastic roof with air-injected insulation via turbines,” explains Marcos Pérez. “This setup allows us to harvest from early March to early July and again from early September to early December. Given that nighttime temperatures in this area can drop to -5 degrees Celsius, we use a biomass heating system fueled by almond shells and olive pits, ensuring a consistent harvest for about seven months each year.”
The primary tomato variety grown by Riojaselecto is the Jack tomato, a robust breed well-suited to the cooler climates of northern Spain, including Navarra, La Rioja, and the Basque Country. “Jack tomatoes have a meaty texture and an excellent flavor, though their 10-12 day shelf life is shorter compared to other varieties,” Marcos notes. “Despite this, their taste quality makes them highly desirable, and we have built a strong customer network across northern Spain over the past decade.”
High-tech greenhouse tomato cultivation in La Rioja is unique, especially given the region’s historical focus on summer outdoor farming or unheated greenhouses. “We face minimal competition from other greenhouse growers here,” says Marcos. “Most local tomato production happens outdoors in the summer. Our greenhouse tomatoes, grown on substrates with climate and irrigation control, require significant knowledge and technology compared to traditional methods. This high barrier to entry is why few have ventured into greenhouse farming in La Rioja.”
The investment in such advanced agricultural techniques is substantial, but the returns are equally promising. “We focus on cultivating high-quality, flavorful tomatoes rather than varieties with longer shelf lives for export. This approach differentiates us in the market and adds significant value to our produce,” Marcos asserts.
Riojaselecto’s innovative methods have not only set a new standard for agricultural practices in La Rioja but also showcased the potential for high-tech farming to thrive in regions traditionally dominated by other crops. By leveraging advanced greenhouse technology and sustainable heating methods, the Pérez brothers have successfully diversified the agricultural landscape of La Rioja, proving that with the right knowledge and investment, high-tech farming can yield exceptional results even in unconventional settings.
The success of Riojaselecto in La Rioja underscores the potential for innovative agricultural practices to transform traditional farming regions. By integrating advanced greenhouse technology and focusing on quality over quantity, the Pérez brothers have demonstrated that high-tech farming can thrive alongside conventional agriculture, offering new opportunities and added value to the region’s agricultural output.
