Topian expands into grape and berry cultivation

 

Topian expanding into open field orchards 

Topian, the Neom Food Sector company, has made significant strides since its establishment in 2022 under the leadership of Juan Carlos Motamayor. The company has developed high-tech greenhouses and a vertical farm in Oxagon, along with advanced retractable-roof greenhouses in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Operating from its Red Sea-based offices, Topian’s multinational team of engineers, growers, financiers, and marketers is dedicated to producing sustainable and nutritious food using cutting-edge agricultural technologies.

By piloting various crop varieties, cultivation methods, and sensor-based data collection, Topian aims to enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Currently, its high-tech greenhouse in Oxagon produces lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Expansion into Open-Field Orchards

In 2025, Topian plans to expand its portfolio by introducing open-field fruit orchards, with a focus on table grapes and berries.

“Saudi Arabia imports over 70,000 tons of table grapes annually, supplementing domestic production of approximately 110,000 tons,” said Konstantine Vekua, Agricultural Projects Manager at Topian. “Most of the supply enters the market during the summer, creating oversaturation and driving prices down. However, between September and December, supply decreases, and prices rise. This period is largely covered by imports from Türkiye, Italy, Spain, and Chile. Our goal is to capitalize on this window.”

After analyzing 20 years of climate data for the Tabuk region and consulting experts from California, Spain, and Egypt, Topian concluded that cultivating late-season table grape varieties in Saudi Arabia is feasible. Extensive soil and water tests have identified land with low salinity levels (EC <0.5 ds/m) and ample high-quality water resources.

 

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Topian’s phased plan includes developing a 300-hectare table grape orchard featuring varieties from top global breeders. The company will also conduct consumer preference studies to assess factors like crunchiness, flavor, and taste before finalizing grape selections.

Berries: A Key Growth Category

Saudi Arabia currently relies entirely on imports for berries, with annual imports of approximately 25,000 tons of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

“While our strawberry production will primarily take place in high-tech and mid-tech greenhouses, we are evaluating retractable roofs, nets, and polytunnel systems for other berries,” Vekua explained. “We are collaborating with crop experts and technology providers while learning from growers in similar climates.”

 

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A Partnership-Oriented Approach

Topian is actively seeking joint ventures with established companies that have extensive experience in growing and marketing grapes and berries. Recently, Vekua attended Fruit Logistica in Berlin to engage with international grape and berry producers and trading companies.

By combining global expertise with innovative agricultural practices, Topian aims to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s food security while delivering premium-quality fruits to consumers.

Source: https://www.freshplaza.com/