Following last year's inaugural show, VertiFarm – the international and highly informative buyer-meets-seller forum for next-level farming and new food systems – will again be presenting tomorrow's sustainable cultivation and breeding methods at Messe Dortmund. At the international industry event from 26 to 28 September, decision-makers and players in the agriculture, food and pharmaceutical industries can expect to experience a comprehensive showcase for ensuring tomorrow's food supplies.

Dortmund, 6 July 2023 – World population is expected to grow to around ten billion people by 2050. Added to this is the speed of societal change, influenced by climate change, crop failures, supply chain bottlenecks, growing  urban settlement and an increase in the amount of land dedicated to transportation – all of which makes a timely agricultural rethink such an urgent requirement. Trade visitors to VertiFarm, the international next-level farming and new food systems show being held between 26 and 28 September 2023, will be able to obtain comprehensive information on future sustainable food production and familiarise themselves with all the latest approaches.

In tune with the times: controlled environment agriculture (CEA)

VertiFarm's focus is on controlled production systems for vegetables, fruit, salads, herbs, alternative protein sources, microgreens and medicinal plants. It also shows the latest developments in fish, algae and insect farming as well as the production of mushrooms and cell meat as a future mainstay for feeding the world's population. For example, the Southern Westphalia University of Applied Sciences will be presenting two new research projects at VertiFarm on hydroponics, aquaponics and insect production:

The EU-funded H2020 project 'proGIreg' is investigating nature-based solutions for the regeneration of post-industrial areas in several European cities and implementing these in real-life laboratories with an eye to outcomes that are practicable. Two aquaponics greenhouses will be on display from summer 2023 in the grounds of the Hansa coking plant in Dortmund. The plan is to operate the plant over the next five years – beyond the end of the project term – and research the strategy further. The installation is to be part of the IGA international landscape gardening show in 2027. >>> More details

At the beginning of the year, the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Southern Westphalia University of Applied Sciences also launched the EU project 'INCiTiS-Food' (Horizon Europe). This brings together 23 partners conducting research into hydroponics, aquaponics and insect production in eight real-life laboratories. In the facilities in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Kenya, young people in particular are to learn about the new approaches and different technologies to develop and build their own systems from locally available materials and resources. >>> More details

Wide variety of suppliers at VertiFarm

Exhibitors are coming from countries including  Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, China, the US and South America and will be offering in-depth insights into new technologies and systems with the capability to revolutionise the supply system. For example, SEAWATER will – for the very first time – be bringing along a turnkey, fully automatic recirculation plant for inland marine fish farming. The company focuses on building an infrastructure for decentralised seafood supply and for ensuring high-quality protein nutrition. Also new at VertiFarm will be HerkuPlast Kubern GmbH, a specialist manufacturer of stackable, durable cultivation and culture trays for all areas of sustainable seedling cultivation.

Do your bit to help shape the show's supporting programme

The second VertiFarm will once again be putting on a three-day stage programme packed with educational sessions – some of them interactive – featuring representatives from agribusiness, academia, industrial producers and start-ups. The focus topics include "Innovation & Technology", "Finance & Funding", "Ecological & Economical Balance" and "Efficiencies". Suppliers are also being extended the opportunity to enrich the stage programme with an exciting technical or keynote talk on one of the focus topics. >>> Call for papers  

7^th International Summit of the Association for Vertical Farming e.V.

As last year, the two-day summit of the show's conceptual sponsor, the Association for Vertical Farming, will be held once again as part of the show. This convention organised by the world's leading non-profit organisation in its field will see well-known scientists joining investors and representatives from industry and government on 26 and 27 September 2023 to discuss and inform audiences on the core subject areas of: "Science & Research", "Technology & Sustainability" and "Food & Cities".

>>> AVF SUMMIT

Sponsorship: support and expertise from China

The importance of the VertiFarm is also reflected in SANANBIO's sponsorship. The highly respected company from China, which won the Vertical Farming World Award as recently as 2022, works closely with farmers, engineers , scientists and designers. With its best-in-class technology, the photo-biotech supplier meets the world's most exacting requirements for building a sustainable global food system for vertical agriculture. SANANBIO will have an exhibition stand at the venue. 

Excursion through the Netherlands and thence to VertiFarm

The Netherlands is considered an innovation-leader in lower water consumption and reduced carbon and methane emissions. So what better place to immerse oneself in subject matter related to vertical farming and new food systems? As a result, on 25 September 2023 – the day before VertiFarm gets underway – an exciting sightseeing tour is being scheduled to the Netherlands, the world's largest agricultural exporter. Here, experts will learn in real-life settings how to set up a vertical automated farm, which components it has, and which stakeholders are involved. Stops will include the Bosman Van Zaal  company which has been developing smart plant production systems for data management, robotics, logistics and cultivation since 1921. The tour will then move on to an algae plant as befits the topic of alternative proteins. The last stop is a visit to a fully automated ornamental flower production facility. The ticket price includes visits to the three sites, lunch, snacks, the bus trip from Aalsmeer to Dortmund and a multi-day pass to VertiFarm.

>>> More details

Online ticket shop

Trade show tickets, access to the AVF Summit and the excursion through the Netherlands followed by a visit to VertiFarm can be booked conveniently online. >>>Ticket options

Become an exhibitor

Exhibitors will be able to make useful contact with new customers, manufacturers, distributors and other key players in the industry. Businesses wishing to present their products and services at VertiFarm can get information and register online here:

>>> Information, prices, stand sizes and other offerings