Leafy greens, herbs, broccoli, and strawberries are all staples of any grocery retailer’s produce shelf and a key part of the global supply chain, but in the not-too-distant future many of these products are likely to be produced locally, even in the most unpromising conditions.
Vertical farming, which has been in existence for years, steadily developed as a concept over the last decade and looks set to take center stage for many categories in the next few years.
With the global population expected to top 9 billion by 2050, existing produce supply chains are likely to come under pressure as never before to feed a hungry consumer base.
The challenges of meeting this demand will be immense, exacerbated by the looming threat of climate changes and extreme weather, as well as geopolitical turmoil.
With demand for locally sourced produce growing across North America, it is perhaps little wonder that vertical farming is attracting increasing numbers of tech entrepreneurs and investors who see this type of growing as a safe bet for the future.
This is an excerpt from the Applied Technology feature in the March/April 2022 issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine. Click here to read the whole issue.
