By growing peas, Greenforce is setting new quality standards and, together with BayWa AG, wants to build transparent value chains for regionally produced vegan foods.
In April, the first peas for Greenforce will be sown in Bavaria and Thuringia and the pilot project for cultivation will start on your own doorstep. This means that the Munich foodtech start-up is one step closer to its goal of a holistic approach from seeds to the finished product. The farmers contracted by BayWa will grow peas for Greenforce on an area of around 125 hectares. When harvested in late summer, a yield of around 300 to 400 tonnes of raw material is expected, which will be further processed into meat, fish, egg and milk substitute products.
With this quantity, for example, up to 700 tons of fresh cevapcici can be produced. “Alternative proteins are more than just hype. In order to meet the increasing demand for food and changing consumer wishes, safe, plant-based protein production is needed in addition to animal proteins,” explains Kristal Golan, Head of New Protein Solutions at BayWa AG, Germany’s largest agricultural trader. “Greenforce offers these innovative protein solutions. As part of the cooperation, the company benefits from our 100 years of expertise in trading agricultural raw materials. We support business developments by providing access to seeds and to our customers, the farmers, through our network.”
Even more quality, even less CO2 Greenforce is involved in every step of growing the pea. This means the foodtech start-up can guarantee the highest quality standards. For example, the legumes are grown without the use of pesticides with active ingredients such as glyphosate or tebuconazole. The plants also do not need nitrogen fertilization, as peas can bind nitrogen from the air using nodule bacteria and thus cover their own needs. Greenforce is supported by BayWa throughout the entire growing season with its agricultural expertise, from selecting the best possible variety to harvesting.