Sign up here to subscribe to the Grower2grower Ezine. Every two weeks you will receive new articles, specific to the protected cropping industry, informing you of industry news and events straight to your inbox.
11
Feb 2025
Feb 2025
Greenleaf Fresh, which traded under the name Greengrower, has gone into voluntary administration.
Unfavorable outcome may pause innovation and investment into other Vertical Farming (VF) projects, and that’s unfortunate.
Recently I became aware that Greenleaf Fresh has been placed into voluntary administration. An extremely disappointing result for such an innovative project with so much promise. There are significant advantages to using indoor vertical farms to grow produce, including a huge reduction in land required and much less water usage compared to conventional greenhouse or field grown crops.
The extremely high initial capital cost (automated table systems, electronics etc.) and operational expenses of VF, including the cost of electricity to run the lighting and air handling systems, may be contributing factors and the hand break for financial success with this project.
Energy security for VF is a key factor for profitability. As we have recently experienced, energy affordability is a huge issue for commercial greenhouse growers, so one can only imagine the pressure this placed on this project.
I hope this project can be saved. I would suggest as a country it is technology we do not want to lose.
To all involved including employees and unsecured creditors our thoughts are with you at this challenging time.
Please read the source links below:
https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/lack-of-scale-cited-for-greenleaf-demise/
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2025-aa114
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2025-al631
Related:
https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/technology/nzs-first-commercial-vertical-farm-gets-3-5m-govt-boost/
CLASSIFIED
Photo
Gallery
Subscribe to our E-Zine
More
From This Category
April 20, 2026
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a new fungicide seed treatment to control disease on potatoes.
The New Zealand potato industry is valued at approximately $1 billion annually, according to Potatoes New Zealand.
April 20, 2026
Signify wins HortiContact Innovation Award for Philips intelligent horticulture lighting solutions
“We are incredibly proud of this recognition”
April 7, 2026
Proposed import requirements for fresh blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) for human consumption
Make your submission
March 23, 2026
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) maintained the upward trend for hazardous substances decisions in the second quarter of the 2025-26 year.
Dr Lauren Fleury, Manager Hazardous Substances Applications, says the EPA continues to use rapid assessment pathways where possible. Of the 16 approved applications in the second quarter, 13 were decided by rapid assessment.
March 23, 2026
Source Advances Harvest Forecasting for Tomatoes with Next Generation AI Model
Fundamental changes to how the model learns and handles grower input mean significantly less manual work and meaningfully better accuracy.
March 10, 2026
Australia’s horticulture sector has delivered a year of record‑breaking performance
Highest production value to date of $18.4 billion, up 6% on the previous year.
CLASSIFIED
