Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker).

As we provide the news for free, we are relying on revenues from our banners. So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.
Thanks!

Click here for a guide on disabling your adblocker.

Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

Costa Rica: Growing leafy greens among 700 grazing sheep

Anyone who thinks growing foliage is dull has clearly never visited Tropical Green in northern Costa Rica. Here, tropical cultivation is paired with smart, sustainable solutions—and a flock of over 700 sheep.

The nursery has been a trusted partner of Adomex, the market leader in cut foliage imports, for over twenty years. Together, they are building a stable, future-focused supply of high-quality foliage for customers around the globe.

© Adomex International B.V.

Sales
What started with just one container of Phoenix Roebelenii per week has now grown into a weekly export of ten containers to destinations including Europe, the United States, Chile, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to Roebelenii, they also export a wide range of plants such as Sansevieria, Aglaonema, Monstera, Cycas Revoluta, and Cordyline Fruticosa (varieties Green Tie and Black Tie).

Natural weed controllers
One of the standout sustainable innovations at the nursery is the use of sheep. On the highland plots, more than 700 animals graze, helping to control weeds and consume leftover plant material from the processing area. This natural approach has significantly reduced the need for chemical inputs and helps maintain healthy soil.

© Adomex International B.V.

The manure from the sheep is processed into Gold Green—the nursery's own organic compost, which is then reapplied to the fields. "It started as an experiment, but now we can't imagine working without it," says Marco Herrera of Tropical Green. "The sheep help us grow more sustainably and contribute to healthier soil."

Sustainability
In addition to using natural weed control, Tropical Green is certified under MPS-ABC, GlobalGAP, and MPS-GRASP. The company is also FSI-compliant, meaning it meets the standards set by the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative. "Sustainability is embedded in everything we do," says Herrera. "We aim to do right not just by our customers, but also by our people, the land, and the world around us."

© Adomex International B.V.

Collaboration
Since their very first export container, Tropical Green has worked closely with Adomex. Through the Orca Green label, their foliage finds its way to customers all across Europe. The partnership now spans more than twenty years.

"Our collaboration with Adomex is built on mutual trust," says Herrera. "They understand what we do, and we know our products are marketed the right way. That stability has helped us grow sustainably over the years."

Future vision
With over 300 hectares in production, more than 250 permanent employees, and a clear sustainability vision, Tropical Green is aiming to grow further as a leading producer of tropical foliage, with an impact that reaches far beyond national borders.

Or, as Herrera puts it: "We're not just growing plants. We're building a future, with care for nature, people, and one another."

For more information:
Adomex
Tel: +31 (0)297 231 290
[email protected]
www.adomex.nl

Related Articles → See More