Poly Greenhouses (Multi-Span & Tunnel)
A poly greenhouse is a commercial protected-cropping structure covered in PE film or polycarbonate sheet, ranging from single-span tunnels to fully engineered multi-span structures with climate control, delivering mid-tech performance at 30–60% of Venlo CAPEX.
Are poly greenhouses bankable?
Yes, when engineered to code and paired with credible off-take. Development banks routinely finance multi-span polycarbonate projects. A buyer submits one private brief through the RFQ builder. A poly greenhouse is a commercial protected-cropping structure covered in PE film or polycarbonate sheet, ranging from single-span tunnels to fully engineered multi-span structures with climate control, delivering mid-tech performance at 30–60% of Venlo CAPEX. A dedicated sourcing specialist normalises it into a single technical specification, issues it to qualified international manufacturers, integrators and EPC contractors, and returns offers that can be compared line by line on the same scope, lead time and delivery terms.
Independent, supplier-neutral guidance. Vendor identities, price bands and shortlists are released only through the RFQ flow.
Role in the project
Poly greenhouses are the workhorse of mid-tech commercial horticulture — profitable for berries, herbs, leafy greens and vine crops in warm and moderate climates.
Typical applications
- Strawberry and blueberry commercial production
- Mid-tech tomato, cucumber and pepper in warm climates
- Herbs and leafy greens
- Nursery propagation
Selection criteria
Multi-year PE film (3–5 seasons) vs. twin-wall polycarbonate (10+ years) chosen on climate and hail exposure.
8–12 m spans, 4–6 m gutter for commercial cropping.
Continuous roof vents essential above 25 °C ambient.
Engineering considerations
Poly structures are wind-sensitive — regional load class critical.
Concrete piers or driven ground screws by soil condition.
Commercial considerations
USD 40–120/m² for engineered multi-span; USD 15–40/m² for tunnels.
Budget film change every 3–5 seasons.
Procurement considerations
Compare like-for-like: span, gutter, film grade, vent ratio and screen package.
Common mistakes
- •Choosing tunnel scope for a year-round export crop
- •Undersizing roof vents in hot climates
- •No thermal screen where night radiation losses are significant
FAQ
Before you shortlist suppliers
- Understand the buying process first: what agricultural procurement means and how RFQs are compared .
- Awarding one turnkey contract instead of separate trades? Compare EPC contractor bids for agricultural projects on identical scope.
- For processing and grading scope, see packing house cost, sizing and certification requirements .
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Financing & procurement tools
Scope a poly greenhouses (multi-span & tunnel) RFQ
Share crop, scale and country. A specialist scopes suppliers, engineering and financing.