A vision rooted in greenery – Svegros journey towards a self-sufficient Sweden in green

A family business in a new guise

Svegro, which was founded in 1960 by Ingegerd and Thore Norman, has undergone a significant transformation from its origins as a family-owned company. Although it is still owned by the family, none of the current generations are active in the daily operations. Instead, the company has chosen to fill all operational positions with external expertise. "It was a conscious decision to allow the company to continue to develop with the help of external forces," says Kristin Orrestig, CEO of Svegro. She describes the transition as necessary to ensure continued growth and innovation.

Per Norman, who was previously the CEO, chose to step back, and together with his brothers, he saw the need for the company to develop professionally. "We wanted to maintain the family's vision but also bring in external expertise to reach new heights," explains Kristin. Today, an experienced team runs the company, with individuals who have backgrounds from large companies such as Arla, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble.

Innovation and sustainability in focus

One of Svegro's greatest strengths lies in their sustainability efforts and use of modern technology. The greenhouses on Färingsö, with a total area of 55,000 square meters, are powered by 100% green electricity. Here, herbs, lettuce, and microgreens are grown with a clear ambition: to make Sweden more self-sufficient in fresh greens year-round. "Our vision is for Sweden to be completely self-sufficient in fresh herbs and lettuce, even in the middle of winter," says Kristin. With the help of AI and automation, Svegro can optimize its cultivation process, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste.

"Historically, one might have raised the temperature or increased lighting to ensure a good harvest, but our AI platform Aigro helps us make more informed decisions. It can predict the growth curve and ensure that we do not overuse resources unnecessarily," explains Caroline Wetterstrand, marketing and sales manager.

New automated greenhouse for the future

Svegro is currently expanding its greenhouse with an impressive investment in a fully automated lettuce greenhouse covering 4,000 square meters, bringing the total area to 59,000 square meters. "This is a major investment for us and an important part of our vision to make Sweden more self-sufficient in fresh crops," says Kristin Orrestig. In the new greenhouse, everything from sowing to harvesting is managed with advanced automation. Machines handle irrigation and the movement of the plants, and it is only at harvest that humans need to handle the products.

This investment is part of streamlining production and reducing both waste and energy use. "With this technology, we can optimize every step of the cultivation process and ensure that each plant reaches perfect quality," explains Caroline Wetterstrand. The first harvest from the new greenhouse is expected to

An expansive and organic range

Svegro has been 100% organic since 2015 and their products are a familiar feature in Swedish grocery stores. Their range includes the most popular herbs such as basil, dill, coriander, thyme, and parsley, but also niche products like marjoram and chervil. "Basil is the largest product, but we also see a growing demand for microgreens, which are small but packed with flavor and nutrients," says Caroline.

Microgreens have become an important part of the range and are widely used in restaurants and fine cooking. Svegro also sees opportunities to expand its range with more types of salads and other green products, such as pak choi – the first Swedish-grown variety available year-round. "We are always looking for products we can grow here in Sweden instead of importing," says Kristin.

Sustainable steps forward

Sustainability is a deeply rooted value at Svegro. It is evident not only in their organic farming but also in how they reduce their environmental impact. The company works with fossil-free transportation and recycles its biological waste into green compost. "Our biggest challenge moving forward is to continue growing without compromising our climate goals," says Caroline. Svegro is connected to Science Based Targets and has ambitious goals to reduce its emissions by 43% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050.

Water management is also something that makes Svegro unique. The company uses water from Lake Mälaren, which is circulated and reused in a closed system. "We make sure that no drop is wasted," Kristin proudly shares. "We have created a system that makes us independent of municipal water, which further reduces our impact on the environment."

“We should be able to produce all the fresh greens we need – year-round”

Svegro aims for continued growth, both in terms of volume and sustainability. With their expansion of the automated greenhouse, they hope to increase their production of lettuce and further reduce dependence on imported goods. "We want to continue growing with Swedish-grown products and become even more self-sufficient," says Kristin. "That is our vision for the future – for Sweden to be able to produce all the fresh greens we need, year-round."

With a strong combination of innovation, sustainability, and a passion for Swedish cultivation, Svegro is on its way to setting a new standard for how we consume fresh produce in Sweden.

As we leave Svegro behind and return to the pulse of the city, the feeling of calm and inspiration lingers. Here in Färingsö, we have caught a glimpse of the future of agriculture – a place where tradition meets innovation, and where every plant carries a vision of a more sustainable tomorrow. Svegro is showing the way towards a greener Sweden, and we look forward to following their journey, one harvest at a time.