Greenland entrepreneur runs Arctic leafy-greens farm

Palli Fleischer Lyberth sold his house to fund a vertical hydroponic greenhouse in Sisimiut near the Arctic Circle, growing mizuna, lettuce and microgreens for cruise ships, hotels and supermarkets; the venture is not yet profitable and he is seeking a government subsidy.

Palli Fleischer Lyberth has opened a makeshift vertical farm in Sisimiut, about 50 kilometres from the Arctic Circle, using hydroponics and LED lighting to grow leafy greens. He sold his house to raise start-up capital and learned soilless growing techniques from online tutorials. Lyberth sells mizuna, lettuce and microgreens to cruise ships, hotels and supermarkets across Greenland. The operation faces rising bills and is not yet profitable, and he hopes to qualify for a government subsidy to continue. What is known: - The farm is located in Sisimiut, roughly 50 kilometres from the Arctic Circle, and uses insulated buildings, LED lamps and pumps. - Crops grown include Japanese mizuna, lettuce and microgreens sold to cruise ships, hotels and supermarkets in Greenland. - The entrepreneur sold his house to provide start-up capital for the project. - The system uses hydroponics and a nutrient substrate to replace soil nutrients, and the absence of crop-damaging insects reduces the need for pesticides. - Lyberth said the business is not yet profitable and that bills are accumulating; he hopes to obtain a government subsidy. - According to a 2021 article from the Nordic Council of Ministers, Greenland imports about 3,600 tonnes of vegetables each year and roughly 81 percent of the country is covered by ice. Summary: The project aims to increase local vegetable production in Greenland by using controlled-environment farming methods adapted to cold conditions, potentially reducing reliance on imports. Its immediate viability is uncertain because the business is not yet profitable and the operator is seeking public support as the next step.