In Haninge, just outside Ica Maxi, a highly efficient and sustainable greenhouse is making waves in agriculture. Built and operated by food tech company Agtira, the facility produces a staggering 30,000 cucumbers each week—amounting to 500 tons annually. This new greenhouse stands as a testament to modern farming methods aimed at revolutionizing how we grow and distribute food.
At the heart of this endeavor is a commitment to reducing food miles and waste. According to Berit Fryklund, communications director at Agtira, transporting cucumbers from southern Europe, such as Spain, to northern Sweden is inefficient and environmentally damaging. Transporting a water-rich fruit like cucumbers over long distances simply doesn’t make sense, given that they contain 95% water. With the Ica Maxi greenhouse, these issues are eliminated, as the cucumbers are harvested fresh every day, just 100 meters from where they will be sold.
Advanced Greenhouse Technology
The 3,000-square-meter greenhouse is a hub of high-tech innovation, featuring over 7,000 cucumber plants carefully monitored and maintained in a controlled environment. Before entering, everyone must disinfect themselves and don protective gear to prevent contamination. The greenhouse is equipped with digital systems that regulate temperature, humidity, lighting, irrigation, and nutrition.
Operations manager Andreas Antunović likens the precision required in the greenhouse to that of Formula 1 racing. “You can’t just have one good lap; you have to run a perfect race every lap to win. The same goes for our cucumber production,” Antunović explains. The facility’s computer system, managed from Härnösand, ensures optimal growing conditions year-round. Energy efficiency is paramount: during summer, natural ventilation reduces the need for artificial cooling, and 95% of water used in the greenhouse is recycled and purified on-site.
This state-of-the-art setup enables continuous, consistent production. If any parameter deviates from the ideal, Antunović and his team receive instant alerts on their smartphones, ensuring swift intervention. The greenhouse’s focus on biosecurity is stringent to maintain a virus-free environment, emphasizing the philosophy of “better safe than sorry.”
A Model for Climate-Smart Agriculture
On November 22, Ica Maxi will officially celebrate the launch of its homegrown cucumbers. This initiative is a significant step toward making the store self-sufficient in its top-selling item. Previously, cucumbers were imported from Spain during the winter, but now, every cucumber sold at the store will come directly from the greenhouse. Jenny Nordlander, Ica Maxi’s head of development and sustainability, believes this milestone represents a leap in food technology. “It feels like something that was impossible ten years ago is now a reality,” Nordlander states.
A Glimpse into the Future of Agriculture
The Haninge greenhouse is more than just a local success story; it’s a blueprint for sustainable food production. By leveraging advanced technology and minimizing environmental impact, this project sets an example for the future of agriculture worldwide. As climate concerns and population growth continue to challenge global food systems, innovative solutions like this one could become the norm, reshaping how we think about food sourcing and sustainability.
