The greenhouses

The greenhouse in Rijkevorsel covers 15 hectares of greenhouses where red bell peppers are grown. The company was established in 2003 and has undergone significant developments since its inception. In 2003, the first phase involved the construction of a 7-hectare greenhouse, followed by an expansion of 8 hectares of greenhouses in 2007. The annual production amounts to approximately 4.5 million kilograms of peppers. A constant search for automation, new techniques, and potential partnerships ensures guaranteed quality. By using the latest techniques, combined heat and power (CHP), and biological pest control, the peppers are grown in a very sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The peppers are sold daily through the BelOrta auction. VGT grows peppers for both the domestic market and for export within and outside of Europe.

The harvesting process

Every day, our employees enter the greenhouse to care for the plants and harvest the bell peppers. Plant care requires precision, manual labor, and motivated staff. Our employees manually cut the ripe fruits and place them in the cart. Bell pepper plants can grow up to 4 meters tall, which is why special (self-driving) carts are used in the greenhouses. The peppers are sorted using a sorting machine based on quality, size, and weight. They are packaged in various types of packaging (cardboard boxes, crates, etc.) and transported to the BelOrta auction. The peppers are already on store shelves the morning after harvesting, allowing consumers to enjoy a freshly picked product.