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CEAIF 2026 opens next week with 30+ sessions on energy, autonomy, and farm-scale viability

"The industry has moved on from 'is this possible?' to 'does this actually pay?'"

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

more job offers
Vertical Lake doubles fish and biofertiliser output at Kenyan vertical farm

"Why can't we replicate what happens in a lake exactly where we need it?"

photo_camera Photo report: International Mushroom Days

Australia: New partnership to launch hydroponic growing in Northern Territory

Sector | Climate control

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US (CA): Smarter HVAC strategies help growers improve efficiency and climate control

New generation of sensors introduced

US (NY): Harlem's shipping containers are more than steel boxes
Airlux Technologies’ Reinier Donkersloot:

"Smart farming isn’t plug and play"

Blue Radix strengthens position in France

Sector | Aeroponics

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New Delhi startup develops India’s largest indoor aeroponic saffron farm

China: Shenzhou-21 crew reported harvest of ‘space tomatoes’

Does soil really need added nutrition? A key question for aeroponic saffron growers
Freya and German Aerospace Center partner to develop crop systems for space

"If it is reliable enough for orbit, it is built to last in any greenhouse”

Optimizing plasma discharge and spraying times for aeroponically grown lettuce
BotaniX’s Yishai Nissan on how vertical farming unlocks the full potential of medicinal plants

“Growing great plants is only half the battle, keeping their natural power intact is what matters”

Growing dill on aeroponic towers

Sector | Hybrid solutions

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US (PA): InventHelp inventor develops portable hybrid grow system

Sector | Farming systems

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Smart technology improves rice seedling cultivation efficiency in China

"Portable" growing system takes root in Portugal

Colorado University alum takes affordable approach to indoor farming

India: Unnati Model Farm inaugurated in Gujarat

Modular system travels on wheels through Portugal for seed germination

South Korea: Developing next-generation robotic vertical farming systems
Emerging tech like plasma-based natural lighting systems also evaluated

Combination of regenerative food forests and CEA starting in Southern Oregon

Sector | Suppliers

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resulting in higher yields

Biostimulants affect root development: higher mass and more active tips
Why grow room design is becoming a central consideration in indoor farming

“Downtime can translate directly into lost harvests and revenue”

“Steady coco peat demand expected ahead of key planting seasons”

Sector | Breeding

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Netherlands

Nunhems invests €40 million in next generation seed processing facilities

US hobby breeders develop egg-sized watermelons for vertical farming and high-density production
UF/IFAS close to lettuce bacterial leaf spot breakthrough

"We are now at the point where we have multiple promising lines and are narrowing them down"

Horticoop invests in 25:2, specialist in AI-driven plant breeding

Popits snack cucumber to debut in Europe at Fruit Logistica

Saudi Arabia: Hail becomes world’s third producer of rare white strawberries

"Strawberry breeders take interest in India but propagation risks stall progress"

Sector | Packaging

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Labor shortages are driving automation

How automating herb processing can half the number of staff needed

Irish entrepreneur growing the future of packaging from mushrooms
Prima Verpackung on the potential applications of corrugated cardboard in the fruit and vegetable industry:

"Rising demand for vegetable trays and bag-in-box solutions"

Northern Ireland's McShane Packaging celebrates 30 years as second generation joins leadership

CAN: Weighing performance, cost and credibility as sustainable packaging options expand

Michiel Valk new CEO at Taks Handling Systems
Weber Verpackungen at IPM 2026

Delivery of sleeves within 4 weeks of ordering

Sector | Aquaponics

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YWAM Emerge announces "Lettuce Help Our Neighbors" campaign

US (PA): Aquaponics operation looks to expand

Malaysia: Fresh look for Johor library farm

Bahrain: Agriculture Minister visits Dar Aqua Aquaponic Farm

US (MT): Taking a look at Swanky Roots, a year-round aquaponics grower

Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force celebrates first aquaponic harvest

Maltese agritech company turns patented aquaponics system into global model

Sector | Product information

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Bluelab introduces pH PenPlus, designed for continuity

Up to 50% of a strawberry plant's sale price goes towards transport
Rooted Robotics COO on machine upgrades, building software, and the case for industry standards

"There needs to be standardization and sharing of knowledge so that the industry can grow"
Design and utility patents pending in Canada and the US

Rethinking the net pot: Improving cube stability and root handling in NFT systems

New high density float for horticulture introduced
Updated reference for fertigation practices: Nutrient Solutions for Greenhouse Crops v5

"Growers work with a single recipe for a season, while the crop's nutritional demand is changing"
India: Mechanisation and the role of tractors in greenhouse operations in medicinal and exotic crops

“Even minor environmental variations can affect active compound levels and commercial acceptance”

Sector | Cultivation

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Examining the ways that dry fog humidification aids growers
Valefresco's Joe Pilade:

"We can produce more cheaply and consistently without the need to use energy for light or heat"
Controlling large scale propagation from papayas to sugarcane:

A new temporary immersion bioreactor system in plant propagation

Aquaponics Lab launched at Holmdel High School

Texas A&M AgriLife modernizes greenhouses to support innovative plant science

Scaling Quebec herb production through advanced greenhouse management

U.S. vertically grown strawberries launch in Ontario retail

Sector | Container farms

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USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Charleston, South Carolina

“From tissue culture to field trials, container farms allow us to control every step of plant development”

US (PA): Growing strawberries with container hydroponics while ignoring the seasons
FarmBox Foods systems now running on seven US school campuses

"We have a focus on getting these interactive farms in the hands of more educators and students"

From the UK to the UAE: Fischer Farms deploys first overseas system in Abu Dhabi
"This is an important step for Carbon Less Future and our international growth"

Carbon Less Future partners with Jibreen Group to expand vertical forestry containers in the Middle East
In Canada’s northernmost community, a container farm operates under Arctic winter conditions

At -36°C in 24-hour darkness, fresh greens grow in Alert

Hapag-Lloyd to acquire ZIM in US$4 billion deal

Sector | Substrates

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Belgian strawberry grower starts new cycle on reused substrate

"Steaming kills pathogens and weeds but does not alter the particle size or structure"
Coir substrate demand grows as India’s protected‑cultivation footprint expands

"Polyhouse growers and first-time hydroponic entrepreneurs make up the bulk of our customer base"
American Biochar Institute outlines how the S668 standard can help growers

"Non-compliant biochar means inconsistent data, and inconsistent data means risk"

US Biochar Initiative rebrands as American Biochar Institute, launches core industry resources
Legro brings Botanicoir products to the Dutch market

"Coco is a logical step for many companies"
Stefan Kreft, Gramoflor:

"We know and understand the challenges of professional horticulture and are equally aware of our strengths"
FibriTech: virgin cellulose fibers, green compost, and small amount of coir

“Peat-free horticulture finally possible with first high-performance bio-substrate”

Sector | Technique

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Riccardo Russo, Vifra:

“Managing the full water cycle starts with water quality for the crop and continues with reusing water whenever possible"
Plant Primers:

Plant Intelligence redefines how plants prepare before stress occurs
Marco de Bruin:

“If you want to make impact in the market, you have to compete with outdoor lettuce”

Germany: Disinfectant successfully used for four decades in stable hygiene and disease control
Boštjan Veronik, CEO of Waboost:

"Preventing conditions that allow Pythium to thrive"

First national CEA Training Certificate for design and construction professionals

What will it take to grow food in space?

Sector | Today on social media

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Vertical Farm Italia

Harri Kokko

Cephas Glavee

Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Sam Malesa

Sector | Energy

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North Korea's largest growing facility struggles with lack of energy

Powering off-the-grid aeroponic farms with solar energy

Improving energy efficiency for vertical growers

Singapore: Growers face pressure from rising energy, fuel costs
UK company eyes £300 million market

Pilot initiative to test transparent solar films in West Africa

Battery swap in 30 seconds gives electric trucks new impetus
Shows potential to reduce HVAC energy usage by up to 40%

Implementing liquid desiccant cooling in vertical farms

Sector | Technology

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Examining the impact of AI on food markets

AI system Funghii helps mushroom growers with crop monitoring and harvest prediction
Bosch Rexroth on mastering efficiency in CEA controls

"If you're not doing data collection today, you really need to start"
Nordetect launches analytics platform to turn lab reports into actionable nutrient insights

“We’re helping growers optimize every input from fertilizer to fertigation timing”
IGS' Niels Kortstee:

"The conversation must shift from 'what can be grown?' to 'what can be grown sustainably and profitably?'"

€1.6 billion Irish data centre campus to include vertical farming facility as part of district sustainability scheme

Robotic hand developed to handle fragile items such as soft fruit

Sector | Alternative products

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China: Using intelligent architecture to grow mushrooms in Chengdu

Zimbabweans urged to tap into profitable oyster mushroom farming as imports surge

UAEU launches smart mushroom farm to boost food security

China: Smart indoor farming helps scale up edible mushroom output

India: Oyster mushroom cultivation programme held at Kezieke

India: Growers use Awareness Workshop to level up on knowledge

Zimbabwean youth turn indoor mushroom farming into climate-resilient livelihoods in Bulawayo

Sector | Investments

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India: USDFC invests in Punes Nutrifresh Farm Tech

Edible Garden secures $2.66 million in funding to aid facility development
40% delinquency rate prompts extended pause as agency overhauls underwriting standards

USDA freezes vertical farming loans over soaring defaults

NABARD includes vertical farming in Delhi's first State Credit Plan as part of urban agriculture push
North Carolina A&T researcher awarded $260,000 USDA grant

"It's important to understand how cold stress affects lettuce yields"

South Korea aims to make AI more accessible to growers

Forever Feed Technologies secures $15M contract for hydroponic fodder project

Sector | Lighting

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Smarter lighting strategies in roses: insights from Viaverda trials

“Greenhouse lighting success depends on everything around it”
SpectraGrow and Harvest Today collaborate on retractable LED system targeting 200 plants per cubic meter

"This is a practical solution to a big pain point in many vertical farms"

Louis Golaz steps down from RED Horticulture leadership
P.L. Light Systems celebrates 45 years anniversary:

"Our lights are built to last so long you’ll be handing them down for generations"

Delivering light uniformity at the top of plants and between the rows

Silent failures and invisible lighting losses push Dutch growers to look closer

Sector | Hydroponics

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Why commercial hydroponics is an engineering problem

South African inventor reimagines urban farming with hydroponic system
Marion Sarlé, Les Sourciers

From a car dealership in Argentina to ecological hydroponics in France

“Get Growing”: Streamlining CEA farm deployment through turnkey bundles
"Monitoring and control can be done from Korea"

Korean smart farm technology drives hydroponic strawberry production in Uzbekistan
Belgian grower trial shows microbiome data can verify water treatment performance

"Sterile water is the enemy of horticulture, it gives a false sense of security"

University of Bologna brings vertical hydroponics to Nairobi landfill settlement

Sector | Market information

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How Saudi Arabia is cultivating a new era in sustainable agriculture

Croatian strawberry production declines as prices climb

Malaysia: Hydroponics helps to sustain vegetables amidst hot spell

US (CA): Delta Microgreens founder brings a chef’s perspective to Napa Farmers Market board

Malaysia: Rotary Club hands over fully operational hydroponic farm to care home, trains staff and residents

UK: Cavolo nero kale sales up 12% as demand continues to build

Rwanda’s capital embraces urban farming as development squeezes rare land

Sector | Events

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May 20

Fieldlab Vertical Farming to host event on moving from research to practice
9–11 June 2026

Discover the thematic worlds of GreenTech Amsterdam
Reflecting on Hungry EcoCities, the Re.Source Society project, and what it means to farm with nature

Technology is the answer, but what was the question?

From the conference room to the grow room at CEA Summit East

US (CO): Healthy Archuleta’s 2026 Food Summit set for April 18

Propagate!2026 focuses on ‘Labour in propagation’
GreenTech Americas 2026

A stronger signal for hydroponic leafy greens in Latin America

Sector | Company news

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ErfGoed announces new Commercial Manager

New pricing, formats, packaging released by Oishii

Van der Hoeven strengthens sales and business development activities in the Gulf region
New role for Viraj Puri: Executive Chairman

Gotham Greens celebrates 15 year anniversary with leadership announcement
SecondBloom Auctions launches 500+ lot online liquidation of Eden Green Technology

"Buyers can acquire systems that would cost millions to purchase new, at a fraction of replacement cost"

Corteva unveils leadership team for future seed and genetics spinoff
Swegreen's Saga system to launch in ICA Kvantum Brunnshög

"We're excited to bring the farm closer to our customers"

Sector | Education and Research

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India: Horticulture Learning Centre coming to Punjab

Cultivators, Vertify and World Horti Center continue ‘Cultivation for Compounds’

Considerations for lowering pH to suppress root rot diseases in hydroponics

Creating a scalable AI platform for indoor growing

Bangladesh: GAU holds workshop on automation for speed breeding, year-round crops

Indian university develops new mushroom to aid growers income

Hort Americas to host vertical farming short course on key production variables

Sector | Retail

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Axfood reported net sales growth of 2.6% in the first quarter of 2026

SPAR Austria and JET will open 5 new SPAR Express forecourt stores
Ocado Retail's new Future of Food Edit aisle: Isle of Wight Tomatoes

REWE Group has surpassed the €100bln revenue threshold in FY25
Just Eat Takeaway.com Switzerland is teaming up with Migros

Billa Austria and foodora's bananas most popular
Maxima Grupė: 4.1% revenue growth in FY 2025

Aldi is expanding in London with eight new stores this year

Hydroponic lettuce mixes to be introduced across Germany
Waitrose expanding into airport travel retail for first time: Fresh fruit

REWE Group has reached an agreement to acquire up to 40 Tegut stores
Prosus has entered into an agreement to sell 4.5% stake in Delivery Hero to Uber

New data: Bananas officially Australia’s most popular fruit

Sector | Grower in the Spotlight

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US (MI): Partnership brings hydroponic vegetables to families across county

US (NE): Omaha restaurant using hydroponics to grow ingredients

US (OH): Veteran-owned mushroom farm seeks expansion and relocation in Trotwood facility

US (FL): Brick Street Farms site for sale, again
Planet Farms' Massimo Mistretta

Speaking on the intersection between AI and growing
Volunteers of America's Upstate NY hydroponic operation feeds over 100 families daily

"I think this is a very easy model to replicate across the nation"

CAN: An acre of hydroponics put to work at New North

Sector | New projects and expansions

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Duijndam Machines breaks ground for new 10,000 m² facility in the Netherlands

From empty gym to urban farm

Premier Tech launches Controlled Culture business group with Inno-3B and Artechno acquisitions

Transforming vacant commercial spaces into indoor farms

Bangladesh: Bepza hydroponic facility expected to create 3,000 new jobs
University of Sheffield and Farm Urban to test crop production 1.1km underground

"This project will be the deepest vertical farm in the world"

Daejeon Station revitalizes space with underground smart farm