Korean Tech Turns Idle Uzbek Greenhouse Into Strawberry Hub

An abandoned greenhouse in Uzbekistan's Yukorichirchik district just got a second chance at life, and it's already producing thousands of kilograms of premium strawberries bound for dinner tables across Russia and Kazakhstan.

Korean smart farm company Firmmit converted the idle 1.5-hectare facility into a cutting-edge hydroponic strawberry operation, planting 75,000 Korean-bred strawberry plants designed specifically for long-distance transport. Instead of building from scratch, the team renovated what was already there, cutting costs while speeding up the timeline.

The greenhouse runs on hydroponics, a soil-free growing method that delivers water and nutrients directly to plant roots through coconut fiber and drip irrigation. This approach eliminates soil diseases and overcomes common regional problems like salty soil and inconsistent water quality.

"With hydroponics, uniform flavor and berry size are achieved through balanced plant nutrition," explains Sun Kee Park, CEO of Firmmit. "Water and fertilizer volumes are fully controlled, and the process is managed centrally via software."

The real magic happens through an AI system called FINO that monitors everything in real time. Sensors track temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and light intensity, feeding data to software that adjusts nutrient delivery throughout the growing season. Park's team can monitor and control the entire operation remotely from Korea.

Even with a delayed start that shortened their first season, the greenhouse produced 30,000 kilograms of strawberries and generated nearly $477,000 in revenue. Under normal conditions, they expect to harvest up to 112,500 kilograms annually, with each plant producing 1.2 to 1.5 kilograms of fruit.

The Ripple Effect

Uzbekistan's 2,700 hours of annual sunshine give it a natural advantage for greenhouse growing, allowing strawberries to develop high sugar content without expensive artificial lighting. The country's location also makes it a perfect export hub for neighboring markets.

Firmmit recently partnered with Uzagrostar Xolding to expand production and build cold chain logistics infrastructure. The goal is to position Uzbekistan as a regional center for premium strawberry exports, creating jobs and economic opportunities in the agricultural sector.

The company uses vertical farms in South Korea as testing grounds, validating nutrient strategies and environmental controls before applying them to international greenhouse operations. Data from both indoor farms and natural-light greenhouses helps them continuously improve production across different climates.

Quality has remained consistently high, with marketable yields reaching 83 percent and meeting the strict requirements of premium retail chains. Future plans include better timing production cycles with peak market demand and expanding nursery operations to ensure plants are ready when needed.

What started as an idle building is now proof that smart technology can transform forgotten spaces into productive, profitable operations that feed people across borders.