July 4, 2014, Montreal – Affinor Growers is entering the multi-billion
dollar strawberry market after closing the exclusive licence to grow
market-ready strawberries using automated, software-driven, vertical
farming technology from Vertical Designs Ltd. (VDL).
July 4, 2014, Montreal – Affinor Growers is entering the multi-billion dollar strawberry market after closing the exclusive licence to grow market-ready strawberries using automated, software-driven, vertical farming technology from Vertical Designs Ltd. (VDL).
This patent-pending technology was designed to mass produce high quality strawberries grown indoors without the use of chemicals or pesticides and Affinor Growers plans to meet the global demand for strawberries with a non-GMO, healthy alternative produced with VDL technology.
VDL systems uses enhanced farming methods, which have been designed to help solve global food security and shortage issues. The automated, software-driven technology is unique for it's mechanical pollination, zero water waste and ability to grow grade A1 strawberries year-round regardless of seasonality.
According to the Agriculture Marketing Resource Centre (agmrc.org), "the strawberry market is valued in the multiple-billions and surpassed the fresh apple industry for the first time in 2010."
MINIMIZING SPOILAGE THREAT
Spoilage is also a major cost factor so Affinor Growers plans to build facilities near urban centres which can radically lower shipping costs and dramatically reduce spoilage which will extend the shelf life of crops produced.
Vertical Designs Technology can produce 10 to 15 times the yield per square foot than land-based growing and minimizes the environmental impact in terms of water use, land, and power.
"I sampled a 53-gram fully vine-ripened strawberry produced by Affinor, and it was better than any other strawberry I have ever tasted, including our local summer berries." – Rick Easthom, former Manager of Retail Development for Choices Food Markets."
"This is a huge deal for Affinor," said president and CEO Sebastien Plouffe, "as it will allow us to build our first strawberry facility immediately using VDL's proven technology."
ABOUT AFFINOR GROWERS INC.
Affinor Growers is a diversified publicly traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ("AFI"). Affinor is focused on growing high quality crops such as romaine lettuce, spinach, strawberries and high quality medical marijuana.
Affinor is committed to becoming a pre-eminent grower, using exclusive vertical farming techniques.
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