Local company Ferme d'Hiver put up for sale

Plagued by financial difficulties and production challenges, Ferme d'Hiver, a major player in closed-building strawberry cultivation, is now up for sale. According to an article published by La Terre de chez nous, GUSH is in negotiations with Ferme d'Hiver for a potential buyout.

The company, which has reportedly never achieved profitability, is looking to bounce back through new financial partnerships after downsizing its operations and staff.

Néomédia made several attempts to contact Ferme d'Hiver. However, the company never responded to our requests.

The company, which specializes in strawberry production based on the principle of vertical farming, set up in Vaudreuil-Dorion in 2021. The huge greenhouse, visible from Highway 40, has eight production chambers, each capable of holding 60,000 strawberry plants. To date, only two chambers are operational.

Over the past few years, the company has received numerous subsidies, notably for its Vaudreuil-Dorion facilities, from various federal and provincial government bodies. Total subsidies received amount to $32 million. 

These entities include the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation, the Ministère de l'Économie et de l'Énergie through Investissement Québec, and La Financière agricole du Québec, all of which have contributed financially to Ferme d'Hiver.

Following a meeting with its creditors, the decision to sell the company was made, Daniel Roussin, the lawyer representing the company, told La Terre de chez nous. Since this decision, the farm's activities have been reduced to a minimum.