More than 40 years ago, the story of the “Heimanis” farm began, rooted in the lifelong experience of fruit grower Pēteris Heimanis — a passion he has nurtured since early childhood. Today, this family-run farm, with decades of expertise in cultivating fruit trees and berry plants, supplies customers both locally and across Europe.
From the first apple trees to a family business
“I grew up in a garden,” says Pēteris Heimanis. As a child, he helped his mother grow tulip bulbs and wild rose rootstocks. Later, in the spring of 1984, he planted his first apple tree rootstocks and a small bed of blackcurrant cuttings in a modest garden — marking the very beginning of the farm’s journey.
The business was officially established in 1998, when the 2.5-hectare farm “Gulbji” was registered. Today, alongside Pēteris’ years of experience, the next generation is playing an increasingly important role.
“It’s a great feeling to combine fresh ideas with the experience I’ve built over the years. It’s hard to say who’s in charge now — me or my son Oskars,” he says with a smile. “My perspective still helps, because sometimes I already know what won’t work — I’ve learned that the hard way.”
From classics to seasonal favourites
Over time, the “Heimanis” farm has grown into one of the most experienced growers in Latvia, offering both traditional and modern varieties of fruit trees and berry plants. Alongside well-known classics such as Cukuriņš, Baltais Dzidrais, and the Latvian low cherry, the farm also experiments with newer varieties, including Asian-type pears like Erly Shu.
Spring – the season that outshines New Year’s resolutions
Like many agricultural businesses, seasonality plays a crucial role. Spring is by far the busiest period, when demand reaches its peak.
“In spring, even people without a garden start buying plants,” Pēteris laughs. “It’s a time of big ambitions — everyone suddenly wants to grow and care for something. Compared to that, New Year’s resolutions seem to fade away.”
But this surge also brings intense workload. Within a short window, the farm must sell its grown plants, prepare land, plant new stock, and manage a high volume of orders — all while planning for the next season. “The biggest challenge is getting everything done — and still enjoying the process,” he adds.
When courier services become a driver of growth
In a seasonal business, success depends not only on the product, but also on how quickly it reaches the customer. Reliable delivery opens the door to new markets and long-term growth. Several years ago, as customer habits began to change, the farm introduced delivery options. However, the real turning point came with the adoption of courier services.
“We probably wouldn’t be here today if we hadn’t started using courier services,” admits Pēteris. This became especially evident during the pandemic, when demand surged and in-person sales were limited. “The season is short, and we simply can’t be everywhere ourselves. Courier services solve that problem.”
Today, deliveries allow the farm to serve customers across Latvia and increasingly abroad. Most shipments go to nearby countries – Estonia, Finland, and Sweden – but deliveries now reach customers across almost the entire European Union. “If you’re in Europe, you have to make the most of those opportunities,” he emphasizes.
A partnership built on flexibility and trust
When choosing a logistics partner, flexibility and adaptability were key — something the international delivery company Venipak was able to offer. The partnership began after both sides agreed on solutions for non-standard shipment sizes, suitable for transporting plants. “We found a compromise very quickly, and everything just clicked,” Pēteris recalls.
“What we value most is not just the speed and quality of deliveries, but the overall reliability. When everything works like clockwork, it’s hard to highlight just one thing — it’s the whole package: clear pricing, professional couriers, great communication, and attitude.”
He also recalls a moment that stood out: “There was a situation when a Venipak courier helped deliver a package right into the garage of a customer with mobility issues, as there was no one else to assist at the time. That kind of human touch really matters.”
Looking ahead: organising more, digging less
Despite global challenges, the “Heimanis” farm is looking ahead with ambition — planning to expand its market presence, build new partnerships, and make greater use of digital tools to reach new customers.
“We want to spend more time organising than digging,” says Pēteris, describing the next stage of the farm’s development.
