Lithuania's Leafood And Taiwan's YesHealth Open Largest European Vertical Farm: Here's Why It Matters

Lithuanian startup Leafood opened the largest vertical farm in Europe, aiming to meet 10% of the country's demand for fresh salads and herbs.

The farm, developed in collaboration with Taiwan's YesHealth Group, spans 13,000 square meters of growth area within 4,000 square meters of farm space.

With a yield of up to one tonne of produce per day, the farm is expected to generate around 300 harvests of 12 leafy vegetables per year.

The project received €6.45 million ($7 million) in seed funding in 2022 and leverages knowledge sharing and technology transfer between Lithuania and Taiwan.

Lithuania and Taiwan Collaboration

The collaboration between Leafood and YesHealth Group is part of ongoing efforts to integrate the economies of Lithuania and Taiwan through joint ventures and the exchange of knowledge and innovation. 

Lithuania aims to “soften the consequences” of old trade relationships failing by “diversifying into places such as Asia,” Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė shared with Benzinga last year.

Further, the farm automates seeding, transplanting, harvesting, cleaning and packaging through technologies that also optimize power consumption.

Additionally, Leafood's farm utilizes hydroponic gel cubes invented by YesHealth Group, reducing pesticide reliance, as well as 30,000 LED panels for photosynthesis and temperature maintenance.

Clean Energy Goals

The project aligns with Lithuania's clean energy goals, as the vertical farm operates on fixed-price renewable energy and consumes only 10% of the water used in traditional farming methods.

Lithuania wants to cover 46% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2024 and increase it to 90% by 2030.

Deputy Minister of Energy Inga Žilienė emphasized Lithuania's commitment to energy efficiency and support for initiatives that contribute to the country's strategic goals.

"Businesses aiming to implement advanced, environmentally friendly technological solutions in their operational processes in Lithuania are an excellent example," she said. "They help to increase the competitiveness of companies, contribute not only to the rational and responsible consumption of energy but also to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the goals of mitigating climate change."

The Future

Leafood is exploring the possibilities of growing other vegetables, fruits and berries.

The project serves as a step forward for Lithuania's clean-tech sector, showcasing a commitment to sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency and the adoption of innovative solutions to meet future demands.

Photo: Courtesy Leafood