YesHealth Group

Introduction

Based in Lithuania, Leafood is an innovative vertical farming company that aims to scale tech-driven urban farming, and provide local consumers with a reliable supply of sustainably grown leafy greens, all year round.

We initiated a partnership to build and operate an indoor vertical farm in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. Upon successfully realizing our goals there, we envision expanding across the greater Baltic region and Poland.

By developing this network of vertical farms, Leafood aims to localize leafy green supply chains for urban dwellers across the Baltic region, which has long depended on imports from southern Europe and northern Africa.

‍www.leafood.com

Farming in Sub-zero Temperatures

In winter, Lithuania's temperature drops below 10°F or -12°C, and daylight decreases to just 7 hours at the winter solstice. Leafy greens cannot be grown outdoors under such conditions, therefore the market has relied on imports.

Indoor vertical farming eliminates these problems. With our technologies, Leafood can raise the temperature and replace the sunlight, enabling them to harvest in the winter months and ensure a year round supply of leafy greens.

These problems are not unique to Lithuania. Poland, Estonia and Latvia all face similar problems with sub-zero temperature and insufficient daylight hours throughout winter. Leafood is well positioned to serve this entire region.

Adapting from Finance to Food

Prior to co-founding Leafood, Valentinas Civinskas and Nerijus Baliunas worked in the finance industry. They had no prior experience in food or agriculture. Their passion for health and sustainability drew them to indoor vertical farming.

As they learn to operate their first indoor vertical farm, we're helping them to acquire new skills, sharing our experience and supporting them on a day-to-day basis. They work hands-on across all areas of the farming operation.

At the same time, they're also overcoming challenges in the market. They have successfully entered one of Lithuania's largest retail chains, placed their products in stores nationwide, and their consumer base is growing as a result.

Building a Successful Team

Around the two co-founders, Leafood has brought together a team of passionate investors, business leaders, farm operators and technicians. They're all commited to improving health and sustainability in Lithuania.

The farm attracted public and private investment. Lithuania's INVEGA participated in the financing, along with Niels Peter Pretzmann, founder of Farmer’s Circle organic farm and hospitality hub, Baltic Food Republic.

We sent our most experienced technicians and operators to train Leafood's team and manage the farm during its launch phase. As Leafood's team gains experience, they're gradually taking over the daily operations.

Farm Specs

Location

Vilnius, Lithuania

Purpose

Commercial

Total Growing Area

13,000 m²

Maximum Daily Output

Actual Daily Output

1,800 kg (full-size lettuce)

800 kg (assorted produce)

First Harvest

May, 2023

Latest News

May 19, 2023

Benzinga: Lithuania's Leafood And Taiwan's YesHealth Open Largest European Vertical Farm

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... [READ MORE]

May 10, 2023

Leafood Arrives at IKI Grocery Stores in Lithuania

Leafood vertical farm opens today in Vilnius, delivering a fresh selection of locally-grown salads and herbs to the Lithuanian market. Its first harvest will be available at select IKI grocery stores, nationwide, from May 12.

Leafood’s produce includes Romaine, Lollo Rosso, Iceberg Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Green Oakleaf, Rucola, Basil, Coriander, and Mint. Gourmet and Classic salad mixes are also on offer. Each will be priced slightly higher than imported salads and herbs that already exist in the Lithuanian market, but this premium price tag comes with a lot of benefits... [READ MORE]

May 7, 2023

Sifted: Inside Europe’s largest vertical farm, growing a tenth of Lithuania's salad

A couple of years ago Valentinas Civinskas was just another investment banker. Today he’s growing baby kale, rocket and coriander in what’s set to become Europe’s largest vertical farm.

Civinskas’s startup, Leafood, grows 12 kinds of green salad and herbs all year round in a massive warehouse on the industrial outskirts of Vilnius. The farm will become operational this week and when it reaches its full capacity later this year, it’s set to harvest a tonne of edible leaves per day — around a tenth of the total demand in Lithuania.

New vertical farms have been mushrooming around Europe in recent years — but with last year’s energy price spikes, high inflation hitting consumers’ pockets and the economic recession, many such startups are struggling... [READ MORE]

June 14, 2022

Leafood raises €6,45M to develop Baltic network of indoor vertical farms in partnership with YesHealth Group

Leafood (Leafood Group, UAB) and YesHealth Group (YesHealth Agri-Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) have initiated a partnership to build and operate a network of indoor vertical farms in Lithuania and the greater Baltic region, including Poland.

To fund the project, Leafood has secured a €6,45 million seed round, led by Niels Peter Pretzmann, founder of organic farm Farmer’s Circle and hospitality hub Baltic Food Republic, alongside YesHealth Group.

In the short term, Leafood is seeking to raise up to €2 million from investors who share their mission of farming healthy, pesticide-free produce, through controlled-environment agriculture, for the Baltic marketplace... [READ MORE]

June 13, 2022

Agfunder News: Leafood raises $6.75m to develop a vertical farming network for the Baltics

Lithuanian vertical farming company Leafood has secured $6.75 million (€6.45 million) in seed funding. The majority of the proceeds will go towards financing a partnership with Taiwanese indoor agriculture company YesHealth Group to build and operate a network of indoor vertical farms in Lithuania and the greater Baltic region... [READ MORE]