Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Desert Joy, the tomato with taste from Tunisia

Pays : Tunisie

Dates : Start date : 1 July 2012 // End date : 22 July 2016

Identification projet : NL-KVK-27378529-PSI12TN01

Programme : Private Sector Investment programme (PSI)

Présentation
Agro Care, a 100% daughter company of Kwekerij van Antwerpen-van Veen B.V. (part of Agro Care Participaties B.V.), has grown into a prominent player amongst the best tomato growers in the field. The head office is in Maasdijk and the tomatoes are grown in two greenhouse complexes. In 1997, a new greenhouse was built in the Bathpolders in Zeeland. This location offers a mild winter climate and a maximum of sun hours per year, which gives a competitive advance for a four-season greenhouse. At present, in Zeeland tomatoes are grown on an area of 24 ha. A separate greenhouse is used for innovations, testing and demonstrations.In 2007 a second production location was started at Agriport A7 in Middenmeer. Here, Agro Care manages 40 ha of tomato crop. A major strength lays in the year round larger scaled cropping methods based on natural methods within and around high tech solutions. Another important pillar is co-operation and chain management. Sales and marketing and packaging of tomatoes is organised via strategic joined organisations. The local partner Gaprim cultivates tomatoes, melons and watermelons in a plastic greenhouse, since 1991. In 2007, Gaprim participated in a new joint venture with three French partners. This joint venture named ZINA FRESH produces aubergines and tomatoes for export to France in a multi span plastic greenhouse heated by using geothermal energy. ZINA FRESH is Global GAP certified and their products are mainly sold via the shareholder in France. The increasing demand for tomatoes in wintertime in Europe (now at approximately 80% of demand in summer time) is an important driving force for expansion. In the Netherlands winter harvest is only possible with artificial grow light, and winter harvest is less than 30% of the volume harvested during summer time. In the past two years, the management has studied on alternative winter production locations. Conclusion from this study is that Tunisia offers the best opportunities to develop a winter garden. The main business activities of the cooperation will be the production of tomatoes in a climate controlled greenhouse of 25,000 m2 based on the Agro Care holistic crop management system. Marketing, sales planning, logistics, packaging and distribution will be organised in cooperation with companies linked to Agro Care. The partners will establish a joint venture. The project partners have discussed their cooperation over one year and are very committed. Both partners have a clear strategic interest in the project. The project will bring new knowledge on growing vegetables to Tunisia and will have a good impact in a poor region of the country.

Partenaire (s) : Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Gaprim, Agro Care Participaties B.V.

Budget Total : €748,250

Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)