What Gemüsebau Steiner does

Gem\u00fcsebau Steiner GmbH & Co KG is a family-owned greenhouse vegetable producer founded in March 2014 and headquartered in Kirchweidach, Upper Bavaria. The company grows tomatoes (multiple varieties including Rispentomate Lyterno, Cherry-Rispentomate Brioso, Ochsenherztomate, San Marzano, Piccola, and Tomarito), bell peppers in four colors plus Spitzpaprika, and strawberries, with a combined greenhouse footprint exceeding 30 hectares at Kirchweidach plus a 4.5-hectare fully LED-lit facility at Emmerting that produces roughly 1,800 tonnes of winter tomatoes annually. Its core technology stack combines a geothermal heating system from the Halsbach well (via the Naturw\u00e4rme Kirchweidach-Halsbach joint venture with the municipality), waste-heat reuse from ZAS Burgkirchen at Emmerting, closed-loop rainwater irrigation, and biological pest control using cultivated beneficial insects, with no fossil-fuel heating and no chemical pesticides.\n\nThe business model is wholesale-only, selling exclusively through REWE (under the REWE Regional yellow-label program) and PENNY (352 stores) within Bavaria and immediately adjacent regions. The company does not sell direct-to-consumer, online, or to independent retailers; its customer base is effectively a single buyer relationship with REWE Group, supplemented by a co-packing arrangement with Baumann's for Chiemgau Ketchup and food-bank donations of cosmetically imperfect produce. A secondary revenue stream is emerging from municipal district heating, with Halsbach-to-Burghausen pipeline contracts signed in November 2025.\n\nThe company is distinguished by its sustainability credentials (EMAS, EU organic DE-\u00d6KO-037, QS-Gap, IFS, Regionalfenster, Gepr\u00fcfte Qualit\u00e4t Bayern, Umweltpakt Bayern, and SBTI commitments), awards including the 2022 Deutscher Innovationspreis Gartenbau and the 2023 Sustainable Impact Award, and structural capital intensity from geothermal co-ownership and 30+ ha of glasshouse. The closely related BIOhof Kirchweidach (Florian Steiner) operates organic production on the same geothermal footprint and co-won the 2023 SIA award; BIOhof Geinberg in Upper Austria (opened 2022) functions as a visitor center and sustainability showcase.

Name

Gemüsebau Steiner

Legal name

Gemüsebau Steiner GmbH & Co KG

Website

https://gemuesebau-steiner.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Gem\u00fcsebau Steiner is a family-owned greenhouse producer in Bavaria, Germany, growing tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries on 30+ ha using geothermal heating and LED lighting, selling exclusively through REWE and PENNY retailers in Bavaria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Greenhouse Vegetables

NAICS

Strawberry Farming (111333), Noncitrus Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (11133)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Greenhouse Vegetable Production (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Leafy Greens) (AFAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Greenhouse Fruit & Berry Production (Strawberries, Specialty Fruits) (AFAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Greenhouse vegetable production
• Sustainable agriculture
• Geothermal greenhouse farming
• Regional tomato production
• Integrated pest management

Headquarters

HQ city

Kirchweidach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Vegetable Sales (Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries): Core revenue from growing and selling fresh tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries to regional supermarket chains. Products are sold exclusively under regional Bavarian distribution through REWE (REWE Regional label) and PENNY. Revenue is generated through wholesale supply contracts with retailers, with products harvested and packed on-site.
2. Processed Tomato and Pepper Products (via partner Baumann's): Tomatoes and peppers not meeting retail appearance standards (e.g., overripe, misshapen) are sold to partner Baumann's for processing into Chiemgau Ketchup, sold at REWE under 'Geprüfte Qualität Bayern' seal. This creates additional revenue from produce that would otherwise go to waste.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Gemüsebau Steiner produces fresh tomatoes (vine, cherry, Roma, oxheart, beefsteak, yellow, and snack varieties), bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green) and pointed peppers (Spitzpaprika), and strawberries in 30+ hectares of geothermal-heated greenhouses in Kirchweidach and a 4.5 ha fully LED-lit greenhouse in Emmerting. Produce is harvested at full ripeness, packed on-site, and sold wholesale exclusively to regional Bavarian retailers REWE (under the REWE Regional label) and PENNY, with a partner-processed value-added line (Baumann's Chiemgau Ketchup).

Product overview

Gemüsebau Steiner is a family-owned vegetable greenhouse operation in Kirchweidach, Bavaria, producing fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and strawberries for regional sale in Bavaria. The company operates greenhouse facilities totaling over 30 hectares and uses geothermal energy and photovoltaic systems for sustainable production. Their product portfolio includes multiple tomato varieties (Rispentomate, Cherry-Rispentomate, Roma-Minirispe AROMATICA, Mini-Cherry-Rispentomate, Ochsenherztomate, Fleischtomate, Romatomate gelb, Piccola, Tomarito), bell peppers in four colors plus pointed peppers (Spitzpaprika), and strawberries. The company also offers facility tours and has partnered with Baumann's for a regional ketchup product. All products are grown sustainably without chemical pesticides, using beneficial insects for pest control, and harvested when fully ripe for optimal quality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tomatoes (multi-variety: Rispentomate Lyterno, Cherry-Rispentomate Brioso, Roma-Minirispe AROMATICA, Mini-Cherry-Rispentomate Rivolo, Flaschentomate San Marzano, Ochsenherztomate, Fleischtomate, Romatomate gelb, Piccola, Tomarito) Multi-variety tomatoes grown in geothermal-heated greenhouses and harvested at full ripeness. Range spans large vine tomatoes (Lyterno), cherry vine tomatoes (Brioso, Rivolo), Roma and mini-Roma truss tomatoes (AROMATICA), plum tomatoes (San Marzano), oxheart/beefsteak tomatoes (Ochsenherztomate, Fleischtomate), yellow Roma, and snack tomatoes (Piccola, Tomarito). Packaged in 250g, 300g, 350g, 400g, 650g, 5kg, or 7kg units. Sold wholesale to REWE (REWE Regional label) and PENNY across Bavaria.
• Bell Peppers (red, yellow, orange, green) Bell peppers in four colors (red, yellow, orange, green) grown in the geothermal-heated Kirchweidach greenhouses under the same biological pest-control and full-ripeness protocol. Available in 2.5kg–5kg loose cartons and retail packs. Sold wholesale to REWE and PENNY in Bavaria.
• Spitzpaprika (Pointed Peppers, red and mixed) Pointed peppers (Spitzpaprika) sold as single-color red packs or mixed red/yellow packs. Packaged in plastic-free 2-piece bundles with a banderole. Sold wholesale to REWE and PENNY across Bavaria.
• Strawberries (Erdbeeren) Greenhouse-grown strawberries characterized by high vitamin C content and distinctive fruity flavor. Packaged in 250g containers made from natural wood pulp (100% renewable, compostable). Distributed wholesale to REWE and PENNY across Bavaria.
• Baumann's Chiemgau-Ketchup (partner-processed value-added product) Premium regional ketchup made from Steiner tomatoes and peppers that do not meet retail cosmetic standards but are otherwise of perfect quality. Produced in Upper Bavaria by partner Baumann's, sugar-reduced, with no artificial colors or flavor enhancers. Sold at REWE under the 'Geprüfte Qualität Bayern' seal. Creates revenue from produce that would otherwise be wasted.
• Betriebsführungen (Guided Greenhouse Tours at BIOhof Geinberg) 2-hour guided tours of the modern showcase greenhouse at BIOhof Geinberg in Upper Austria (approximately 15 km from the Bad Füssing / Bad Birnbach / Bad Griesbach spa triangle), demonstrating sustainable greenhouse vegetable production, environmental protection, and resource conservation. Includes a modern barrier-free visitor center with attached farm shop. Available to consumers, schools, and groups by booking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6.5 million liters of heating oil and over 21.5 million kg CO2 saved annually compared to conventional greenhouses
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• EBG (Energieversorgung Burghausen) / Stadt BurghausenflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Long-term district heating supply partnership. The Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach geothermal source will supply CO2-free heat via a new pipeline from Halsbach to Burghausen, starting with the existing district heating network in Burghausen's Neustadt. Construction begins 2026 with first households to be heated in 2027/2028 heating season. Led by Florian Schneider (Mayor of Burghausen) and Robert Moser (Mayor of Kirchweidach and Managing Director of Naturwärme).
• Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2024Joint venture with the municipality of Kirchweidach to develop a geothermal well in Halsbach. Gemüsebau Steiner holds a co-ownership stake. The company provides geothermal heat to the Kirchweidach municipality's district heating network and to the greenhouses of both Gemüsebau Steiner and BIOhof Kirchweidach. Also enables supply of additional regional municipalities and businesses.
• IFCO (Intelligent Fresh Container Operations)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024IFCO is a leading provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh produce. Gemüsebau Steiner uses the IFCO SmartCycle system of reusable transit containers, avoiding large quantities of single-use packaging waste. Featured in IFCO's Vision 2045 film project celebrating the UN's 100th anniversary, demonstrating circular economy in vegetable packaging.
• BIOhof KirchweidachcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Related family company operated by Florian Steiner. Produces organic tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in new greenhouses using the same geothermal energy concept. Shares the Kirchweidach location and sustainability philosophy. Joint winner of the 2023 Sustainable Impact Award. Operates the BIOhof Geinberg visitor facility in Austria.
• ZAS Burgkirchen (Zentrales Abfall-, Wertstoff- und Servicezentrum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Waste heat provider for the Emmerting greenhouse facility. ZAS Burgkirchen supplies residual heat from its operations to heat the 4.5 ha LED-lit winter tomato greenhouse. This partnership exemplifies circular economy by repurposing industrial waste heat, making the Emmerting facility a model for sustainable industrial symbiosis.
• Gemeinde EmmertingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Emmerting greenhouse's heat pipeline provides cost-effective, environmentally friendly district heating to many households in the Alztal community (Gemeinde Emmerting), creating a positive additional effect for the municipality.
• PENNY (REWE Group subsidiary)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Regional retail partner with 352 stores in Bavaria and surrounding areas. PENNY and BIOhof Kirchweidach co-developed 100% recyclable cardboard packaging for Naturgut Bio Rispentomaten. PENNY also carries Steiner strawberries and peppers. PENNY and Steiner share sustainability strategy commitments including fighting food waste alongside packaging reduction.
• Baumann's (Chiemgau Ketchup)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Processes Steiner's tomatoes and peppers (produce not meeting retail appearance standards but otherwise perfect) into Chiemgau Ketchup. Sugar-reduced, no artificial colors or flavor enhancers. Sold at REWE under 'Geprüfte Qualität Bayern' seal. Creates value from produce that would otherwise go to waste, exemplifying the circular economy approach.
• REWE GroupflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2014Primary retail distribution partner. Gemüsebau Steiner supplies tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries exclusively to REWE stores in Bavaria under the REWE Regional label. Long-standing strategic partnership with quotes from REWE Group Buying and REWE Region Süd leadership. REWE has also featured Steiner produce in the Baumann's Chiemgau Ketchup line.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BayWa AG: Large German agricultural conglomerate with produce, energy, and agricultural-inputs businesses. Comparable to Steiner through its German agricultural trading and produce supply scope, but operates at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio than Steiner's greenhouse focus.
• Greenyard NV: Belgian fresh-produce giant active across fruits and vegetables in Europe. Comparable through its EU-wide greenhouse and field-produce supply chain serving major retailers, but much larger and more diversified than Steiner's regional Bavaria-focused operation.
• Bonduelle Group: French-headquartered global vegetable producer with processed and fresh vegetable lines. Comparable through vegetable-category focus and retailer supply relationships, but operates at much larger scale with a global processing footprint rather than Steiner's regional fresh-only model.

Direct peers

• NatureSweet: US/Mexico greenhouse tomato specialist producing premium branded snacking and vine tomatoes. Comparable to Steiner through greenhouse tomato focus and retailer partnerships, though NatureSweet operates at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Mastronardi Produce: North America's largest greenhouse tomato producer with flagship Sunset brand. Closest direct peer to Steiner in greenhouse tomato variety focus, retailer-branded premium positioning, and sustainability messaging, though operating at significantly larger scale and serving different markets.
• Houweling's Group: Canadian family-owned greenhouse vegetable producer with sustainability-led operations including waste-heat and geothermal initiatives. Highly comparable to Steiner through family ownership, greenhouse vegetable production, sustainability positioning, and waste-heat/circular-economy technology use (notably at their Camarillo facility).

Emerging players

• BrightFarms: US greenhouse operator specializing in locally-grown leafy greens supplied to regional supermarket chains. Comparable to Steiner through regional retail-supply model and sustainability positioning, but operates at smaller scale and in leafy greens rather than tomatoes/peppers/strawberries.
• AeroFarms: US-based indoor vertical-farming company focused on leafy greens and herbs with strong sustainability credentials. Comparable to Steiner through controlled-environment agriculture and ESG-led positioning, but uses indoor vertical-farming technology rather than Steiner's large-scale greenhouse model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GemuesebauSteiner
• Instagraminstagram.com/gemuesebau_steiner

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gemüsebau Steiner