"Clients use our farms to integrate a sustainable food supply chain directly into their business models," says Juan Gabriel Succar, Co-Founder of Mexican container farming company, Verde Compacto. The company's 40-foot container farm, the Huvster Pro, is being adopted by stadiums, resorts, universities, and municipalities, and is shipped fully equipped, with digital monitoring, remote support, and optional service extensions.
Succar says the system is designed to meet more than just production targets, offering a certifiable, financeable path to vertical farming for customers prioritizing year-round supply, sustainability indicators, and on-site visibility.
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The Verde Compacto team, with co-founders Juan Gabriel Succar (right) and Jorge Lizardi (left) in front.
Crop performance depends on type and operation
Huvster Pro systems operate with daily inputs of approximately 65 liters of water and 190 kWh of energy, yielding different results depending on the crop. "These are technical indicators, and depend 100% on farm management and operation," says Succar. "Verde Compacto backs up every client with farm support to optimize production and yields."
Reported figures include ~100 kg/week for full-head lettuce and ~50 kg/week for basil. Input efficiency ranges from 3.8 to 29.6 kWh per kilogram and 3.8 to 10 liters per kilogram, depending on the crop.
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Juan-Gabriel Succar
Eden Smart Control manages data and growing conditions
Eden Smart Control is Verde Compacto's proprietary software platform, serving as the operational core of each Huvster unit. "Data is centralized in Verde Compacto's database, allowing us to learn from both good and bad practices across the network and help all growers improve over time," says Succar.
"Clients have access to this data. Verde Compacto provides the analytics." The platform monitors temperature, humidity, CO2, lighting, ventilation, and energy use. It also delivers agronomic recommendations and allows remote access for performance tracking.
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Base package and Farming-as-a-Service model
The standard Huvster Pro package includes all core infrastructure needed to begin growing immediately upon delivery. "The base price includes the refurbished 40-foot container, LED lights, fertigation and HVAC systems, Eden Smart controls, training, and one year of technical support." Clients often select additional components such as extended service contracts, solar integration kits, and crop expansion modules for microgreens or wheatgrass.
The Farming-as-a-Service (FAAS) option enables Verde Compacto to operate the farm on behalf of the client, offering full warranty coverage and technical support. "With FAAS, clients also receive a lifetime warranty policy," says Succar. "For remote projects, we ship a full year of consumables and spare parts so they can act immediately if needed." The FAAS model is often used while clients build familiarity with system operation, especially during the first six to twelve months.
Maintenance planning is integrated and predictive
System components are designed for longevity, but some parts require scheduled maintenance or replacement. "The first components to replace are filter cartridges. Common issues are filter clogging and sensor drift. We are working on an update where the Eden Smart Control can predict maintenance to minimize downtime." LEDs last over 30,000 hours. HVAC and pumps typically run for 18,000 to 25,000 hours before replacement.
New Huvster Pro units are typically delivered 14 to 16 weeks after the purchase order. "First harvests occur 8 to 10 weeks after commissioning," says Succar. "This is where FAAS is especially valuable because it guarantees professional operation while the client learns." Verde Compacto currently manufactures five to seven units per month, with production timelines aligned to container refurbishing and configuration.
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A Huvster Pro being delivered to a client.
Monthly operating costs vary by region
Recurring costs depend on location, labor, and utility rates. "Nutrients and seeds average USD 300 to 350 per month," says Succar. "Clients are not just offsetting costs but upgrading the quality of their dishes, securing stable supply, and capitalizing on sustainability and farm-to-table marketing." Total monthly OPEX starts at around USD 2,000, with variation based on site-specific conditions.
Verde Compacto partners with financing institutions in both the United States and Mexico to improve adoption. "In the U.S., we partner with Contain Ag. In Mexico, we have agreements with OMNIA and FIRA programs. Approval rates are high when paired with off-take agreements." Typical financing terms range from 36 to 60 months, with down payments of 10 to 20 percent.
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Return timelines vary by market and use case
North American installations often recoup their investment faster due to higher pricing and logistics costs. "In North America, produce prices are significantly higher. Projects that rely only on production economics can reach ROI in 3 to 4 years. When farm-to-table value and sustainability storytelling are leveraged, payback can be shortened by up to one full year."
In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, ROI typically falls in the 4 to 5 year range, depending on crop mix and application. Succar points to a resort project where the unit's direct production costs were about 10% higher than procurement. However, when the project team assessed the cumulative benefits, like year-round supply, sustainability alignment, zero waste, and a branded farm-to-table experience, they projected up to ten times the value of the initial investment over time.
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Jorge Lizardi
Universities use Huvster as a research and teaching tool
Educational institutions are integrating the system into curricula focused on agronomy, sustainability, and food systems innovation. "La Salle and Panamericana are adopting Huvsters, not only to grow but to educate future agronomists in these next-generation methods. Students work directly with a live, sensor-rich production environment that reflects real-world constraints and enables experimentation within a standardized platform."
Succar sees the strongest results in projects that go beyond yield optimization and focus on the broader value the Huvster Pro enables. "The system adds intangible value, turning sustainability into a business strategy and a market advantage."
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The Huvster Pro launched on-site at La Salle Bajío University in Guanajuato, Mexico.
For more information:
Verde Compacto
Juan Gabriel Succar, Co-Founder
[email protected]
www.verdecompacto.com