5-Great Exotic Vegetables or Crops for Commercial Polytunnels

If you are thinking about starting a commercial polytunnels business, it is best to aim for the more exotic types. One of the main reasons you should try growing exotic vegetables in polytunnels UK based, is that they are relatively easy to grow and are less susceptible to disease.

Also, many of us enjoy cooking with and are eating slightly more exotic vegetables nowadays. What are Britain’s favourites in exotic vegetables, that you can easily grow in commercial polytunnels?

1 Various Chili Peppers

Over the last few years, chili peppers and the vast choice have become a firm favourite. Yet, many of the varieties of chili peppers we eat are imported from abroad. But things are changing!

The emphasis is now very much on trying to reduce our reliance on foreign imports. One vegetable that does well in polytunnels UK wide, is easy to grow chili peppers.

Although less fast-growing than standard peppers, once your plants are established, you can rely on them to keep on producing. One of the best things about growing chili peppers is that they are relatively disease free and very easy to look after.

2 Kohl Rabi

Kohl rabi is also slowly beginning to spring up in commercial polytunnels UK and other not so well-known ones.

This tolerant Chinese vegetable is happy to grow in the ground almost all year round. It may not like growing outside but is perfectly happy to grow in a protective environment within a polytunnel. Kohl rabi is quick to crop and easy to harvest.

3 Aubergines

Surprisingly, aubergines are easy to grow in most parts of the UK. They are abundant croppers and produce an amazing amount of produce, on just one plant.

If you have any type of vertical growing system within your commercial polytunnels, you will find that your aubergine plants will just keep on producing. Filling polytunnels UK wide with them, is really not such a bad idea, another crop that is versatile to be grown upside down.

4 Purple Sprouting Broccoli

Purple sprouting broccoli has become a must-have vegetable in the UK in recent years. It is rich in very powerful antioxidants and tastes delicious.

It is also a fantastic easy cropper. Most of this purple sprouting broccoli is imported from abroad. This is surprising, as it is easy to grow in most polytunnels UK wide.

Unlike common garden varieties of broccoli, it does not need a lot of space and is less susceptible to pests.

You can charge slightly more for this vegetable. It is well worth considering growing in commercial polytunnels.

Romanesco Cauliflower

Romanesco cauliflower, or Romanesco broccoli as it is also known, is a naturally occurring hybrid vegetable.

Originally from Italy, it is becoming a firm favourite and can be grown in all types of polytunnels UK based, or from abroad using the correct cover.

It is super tasty and very versatile. You can steam, boil, grate and roast this delicious vegetable.

To date, it is not grown on a large commercial scale in the UK. If you are thinking about starting a business in commercial polytunnels, it could be a good choice to choose from.

Like the other vegetables on this list, it is relatively disease free and easy to crop.

Final Thoughts

Buying our fresh and organic produce locally, is now the new normal for many of us. Why not join the revolution and start producing vegetables for sale in your local community, on a small scale, up to larger type polytunnels.

Read More:

Vertical Growing in Polytunnels

Top Tips for Starting a Small Market Garden in a Polytunnel