Greenhouses
Greenhouses are undoubtedly profitable since a greenhouse economy can give 3-6 yields per year, depending on the crops. Industrial greenhouses in a farm are used to grow different crops of plants and other similar products during the cold seasons when it does not grow in the fields and gardens.
The payback period varies, but even the first year of active greenhouses will surely bring you income.
This article is for those who have never dealt with greenhouses but are keen to learn more about this promising business. Here you can find key information about the greenhouse business in Ukraine, namely: how to choose a territory for a greenhouse, what is better to grow in greenhouses, is it possible to buy land in Ukraine, how to build greenhouses, etc.
Ukraine is located in the central part of Eastern Europe at the intersection of transport routes from Europe to Asia and from the Scandinavian countries to the countries of the Mediterranean region. Today Ukraine has a free trade zone with 45 countries. It is an ideal location for trading products to many parts of the world.
Registration of industrial greenhouses in Ukraine
A large greenhouse farm should be registered as a limited liability company or an individual entrepreneur. In this article, you can learn in detail about the GT Invest service — registration of LLC.
When preparing the documents required for legal work, you don't need to think about obtaining additional permits or licenses.
When choosing a territory for placing a greenhouse, entrepreneurs are guided by the following considerations:
- Sites remote from powerful industrial enterprises, but located near regional centers and rural settlements;
- Availability of accessible reserve areas for the expansion of the plant;
- The ability to create on the territory engineering structures of the sewer network, water supply, power supply, and heat supply;
- The convenience of access to the main railway tracks and motorways leading to the highway;
- Distance from sources of air pollution;
- Selecting an area with the correct humidity;
- Maintaining the required temperature in a large volume of the plant;
- Using the correct equipment to provide and control light and heating.
Greenhouses come in different types and can be made from various materials. The size and layout of the greenhouse depend on the kind of crops and plants grown indoors.
The simplest option is a greenhouse made of ordinary window frames. This design can only be used during the warm season. Usually, this is a small building for growing 1-2 types.
More robust and more durable is the construction of polycarbonate. It is lightweight and can be easily mounted on a prepared frame. Such a greenhouse can be of different sizes, up to impressive areas.
Such structures are also suitable for operation only in the season with favorable temperatures without additional insulation.
Greenhouse for year-round use
The most complex and versatile structure is the greenhouse, which involves growing plants throughout the year. Such a structure must be thermally insulated and equipped with a heating system to maintain the desired temperature level in winter.
A greenhouse for year-round use requires lighting. In the autumn-winter period, the daylight hours are concise, the crops grown inside will need an additional light recharge.
Maintaining an indoor structure and an optimal temperature regime is the main task. Providing heating is required, especially for winter buildings with the closed ground. The cover is made of transparent materials to ensure the flow of natural heat into the greenhouse from the sun's rays. It is also worth making sure that the temperature in the greenhouse does not drop much at night.
After installing the greenhouse structure, the main task of the farmer is to create the most favorable conditions for growing crops in greenhouses.
This task can be conditionally divided into the following sub-items:
- Providing sufficient heat;
- Optimal layout and breakdown of beds;
- Arrangement of paths;
- Soil preparation for planting;
- Ensuring enough ventilation to prevent overheating of the air inside the structure;
- Provision of heating and lighting during the cold season(in the case of year-round operation of the greenhouse);
- Installation of racks for the installation of containers and pots with plantings.
From July 1, 2021, a market for the purchase and sale of agricultural land has been opened in Ukraine. Previously, this was not possible because of the sales moratorium, which has been in place in Ukraine since 1992.
Only Ukrainians can purchase land, but cooperation with Ukrainian isn't forbidden. This means a Ukrainian may be the land owner on the paper, but you will be the actual owner.
What is profitable to grow in greenhouses?
Berry production in Ukraine is attractive due to the high margins of berries, growing domestic and world market demand, and the climatic conditions suitable for growing berries in Ukraine. This is where both beginners and experienced farmers invest large sums of money.
The volume of the world berry market is growing by 5-10% annually. First of all, this is due to the popularity of healthy food and the trend for popular products. The largest markets are the EU, USA, China, and Arab countries. Berries are actively used in the food industry and pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
All experts agree that the market will actively grow, and the requirements for product quality will constantly increase.
Shrub berries are perennial plants. The most common berry bushes in Ukraine are raspberries, blueberries, and currants. Flowering usually begins in May, and fruits can be harvested throughout the summer. Typically, fruiting occurs 2–4 years after the seedling is planted.
The cultivation of artisanal berries does not require complex maintenance. What is essential to provide shrubs for the harvest: timely watering, fertilization, pruning.
If earlier apples and nuts prevailed in the structure of exports of the fruit and vegetable category, now a significant part belongs to berries. According to the results of 10 months of the year, berries make up 45% of all exports in physical terms.
The leading importers of domestic berries, nuts, and fruits are the EU countries, which account for 86% of Ukraine's export earnings.
Major importers:
- Poland — 34% of export earnings;
- Germany — 9% of export earnings;
- France — 8% of export earnings.
Berry export volume in 2021:
- Raspberry — 24.5 thousand tons;
- Blueberries — 20.3 thousand tons;
- Walnut — 18.5;
- Watermelon — 9.3;
- Blackberries and mulberries — 3.9;
- Strawberry — 3.7;
- Lingonberries and cranberries — 1.8.
Frozen raspberries in 2020/21 accounted for exactly one-third of all exports to Poland in value terms, namely $26 million. In general, the export of frozen berries and fruits to Poland brought Ukraine almost $50, increasing by 65% over the year. At the same time, the volume of exports increased by 44% to 23 thousand tons, which was also a new record.
Rozdolne is an agricultural complex of 2000 hectares on the Black Sea coast and a reliable partner of GT Invest. On the territory of the farm complex, there is an opportunity to construct massive and environmentally friendly greenhouses. The agricultural complex is located in a subtropical climatic zone. Therefore it is the most advantageous place for growing bush berries.
On the territory of Razdolne, it's possible to grow the following fruit and berry crops: raspberries, currants, hawthorns, lingonberries, goji, blueberries, blackberries, gooseberries, lingonberries, barberries, blueberries, strawberries.
The quality of crops directly depends on the level of sun and climate. The more favorable the weather conditions, the richer the berries taste.
Rozdolne creates an environmentally friendly product exported around the world.
Turning this project into reality is not a problem with GT Invest. Our motto is synergy and trust! Only highly qualified and experienced employees work here, who will help you set up a business in Ukraine from scratch. Our service includes:
- Consulting;
- Market analysis;
- Business plan development;
- Company registration;
- Search for a territory for building a greenhouse;
- Search for sales channels;
- Company registration;
- Choosing the right shape for the greenhouse, covering, and technical equipment;
- Purchase/installation of greenhouses and equipment;
- Selection of working personnel;
- Financial accounting;
- Provision of accounting and legal services.
