Seeding Success: How Kristin Orrestig and Lisa Lindström Are Pioneering Predictive Growing at Svegro Group

When we met with Kristin and Lisa in the Swedish countryside outside Stockholm, they shared the journey that Svegro has undertaken to turn data and innovation into real, measurable success. Svegro’s greenhouses, brimming with fragrant herbs for the local market, are a testament to the power of anticipating crop needs rather than reacting to them—a shift from responsive to predictive growing. They are frontrunners in using predictive growing and firmly believe it's the way to keep your crops, people and business healthy and thriving in the future.

“My name is Kristin Orrestig,” Kristin begins. “I am the CEO at Svegro Group and have been with Svegro for a decade now, but before that, I worked across industries in production and manufacturing. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation for our work here—creating systems that are not only efficient but also resilient and ready for what’s next.”

Lisa Lindström, who has spent twelve years at Svegro, nods. “I’ve had a lot of roles here,” she shares. “From department manager to supply chain management. The culture at Svegro makes it easy to stay—it’s a warm place where people are genuinely up for trying new things. We have employees who stay until retirement, and that’s something we value. Our predictive systems actually capture their unique knowledge of cultivation and make it accessible for newcomers. We already notice that both our experienced growers and our newcomers can control more hectares and more crops. With fewer people entering the field, that’s invaluable.”

Svegro’s adoption of predictive growing has allowed them to optimize their resources and adapt quickly, especially given Sweden’s distinct environment. Located in the countryside, Svegro’s greenhouses occasionally face power cuts, especially in the winter. “That’s where our team’s training and adaptability come in,” Lisa explains. “Our service team is ready to handle disruptions before they become issues. It’s crucial, especially when temperatures drop, and any lapse in heating could impact the entire crop.”

Kristin, however, is most excited about the Swedish self-developed AI-based system called AIGRO. “Together with Priva AIGRO allows us to use Controlled Environment Agriculture and monitor and predict the growth and quality of our crops in real time,” she explains. “

This helps us to predict and track the size of our crops, so we harvest in the best quality at the right time. Considering the changing climate, frequency of heat waves and the relating humidity levels we see, predictive growing is the only way to keep delivering the highest quality in the future. ” And in Sweden, where they’re fortunate to operate on 100% renewable energy, Svegro can combine their predictive growing with a commitment to minimizing environmental impact—a balance Kristin says is core to their mission.

Located in the countryside, Svegro’s greenhouses occasionally face power cuts, especially in the winter. “That’s where our team’s training and adaptability come in,” Lisa explains. “Our service team is ready to handle disruptions before they become issues. It’s crucial, especially when temperatures drop, and any lapse in heating could impact the crop growth.”

But what really sets Svegro apart is the collaborative culture they foster within the company and beyond. “At Svegro, we have always actively worked with innovations and development in horticulture.” Lisa points out. “We collaborate with researchers and universities, but we also work closely with many of our long-term suppliers. Together, we grow their and our research and businesses. This way we can ensure consistently high quality and meet our customer's expectations, all year round.” This openness, coupled with the natural beauty of their surroundings, creates an environment that inspires both innovation and connection.

“Don't let the seemingly complex systems hold you back”, she says with a reassuring smile. “Systems for predictive cultivation are innovative and easy to use. We think, in 3 years’ time, the majority of growers will use them.”

Svegro Group, under the forward-thinking leadership of Kristin and Lisa, isn’t just about growing crops; it’s about growing a future that anticipates needs, values sustainability, and keeps people at the heart of the process. For them, predictive growing is more than technology—it’s the key to a thriving and resilient tomorrow.