At Hortivate, we offer a range of orchard structure solutions to suit different crops, regions, and project goals. Our partnership with Valente Pali, a world-leading orchard structure manufacturer in Italy, strengthens this portfolio—providing a premium pre-stressed concrete system that we recommend for many greenfield developments across New Zealand.

Valente has been engineering orchard and vineyard systems since 1963. What sets them apart isn’t just their product—it’s their philosophy. They believe in doing things once, doing them right, and backing growers with structure that lasts. That mindset matches ours.

A Partner with Purpose

Valente’s mission is simple: “helping our sector workers to improve their work and therefore the world, so that we can all live better.” That purpose is embedded in how they design, communicate, and support growers in over 70 countries.

Their systems are built on trust, precision, and performance. Every structural element is designed using site-specific data—hail history, wind zones, row spacing—not guesswork. They don’t just supply materials; they engineer fully integrated systems, rigorously tested and certified for real-world performance; the goal is to get the best outcome for the client.

This approach aligns perfectly with Hortivate’s own values. NZ growers benefit from world-class orchard structures, adapted to local conditions and supported by a local team that understands how every component performs, season after season.

Integrated Concrete Systems for Crop Support and Protection

Valente’s orchard structures integrate plant support and hail protection into one efficient design—giving options for spreading cash-flow and staged installations.

Their prestressed concrete posts are durable, consistent, and batch-tested during manufacturing. This structural integrity allows us to use the same post for both support wires and protective netting above—delivering a cost-effective, future-ready system with fewer components and simpler installation.

To fulfill demand, Valente have the manufacturing capability to produce 60,000 lineal meters of concrete posts per day in Italy, with more production capability in the new factory opened recently in Spain.

This video shows the manufacturing process of the pre-stressed concrete posts.

Retractable Rain Covers for High-Value Crops

For high-value crops like cherries, Valente offers a retractable rain cover system that adds a layer of precision to crop management. It allows growers to deploy protection in sensitive windows—typically pre-harvest—while maintaining airflow and light the rest of the season.

We’ve seen this in action at Caythorpe Family Estate in Marlborough, where the system protects crop quality without additional labour or overcapitalising on structure. The design is durable, and fully compatible with Valente’s core concrete structure—making it ideal for staged installation and cash flow flexibility.

In a climate where one storm can cost a season, systems like this provide certainty and control.

A Shared Vision for Smarter, More Resilient Growing

We chose Valente not just because they lead in orchard structures—but because they build systems with purpose. Their commitment to sustainability, smart design and engineering mirrors our own vision: to make horticulture smarter, cleaner, and more future-ready.

When you see a Hortivate concrete structure in the ground, you’re seeing the result of global innovation, local adaptation, and grower-first thinking.

That’s the future we’re building—with Valente at our side.