Can VF expand its reach? A response to VertiFarm

Added on 03 December 2024

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Can VF expand its reach? A response to VertiFarm

VertiFarm, the only trade fair in Germany focusing solely on vertical farming/CEA, is a good reflection of the current situation in the sector. Everyone knows it will be part of the future but is uncertain about how it will integrate into a global food system. A natural reaction to this uncertainty is for players to withdraw from the market. With the failure of some promising business models that were somewhat ahead of their time in terms of technical and infrastructural feasibility. A few have remained. A few who are now looking for new ways to integrate effective approaches into local, regional systems.

VertiFarm Insights: Uncertain Times and New Directions

Reflecting on VertiFarm: Navigating Uncertainty and Uncovering New Solutions

A first step is microgreens: less mechanized, fast-growing, and requiring manageable amounts of energy. Will it fulfill the promise of vertical farming to create food security? Probably not. However, it does contribute by educating communities on how locally produced food can be integrated into the supply chain, fostering community building, and supporting reasonable unit economics. Almost every major city in Germany now has microgreens suppliers, marking a first step towards more decentralized agriculture.

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