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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/
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