UAE. Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and US firm Crop One Holdings have announced a US$40 million joint venture agreement to build the world’s largest vertical farming facility near Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
EKFC said the venture was about securing its own supply chain of high quality and locally-sourced fresh vegetables, as it aims to “deliver a best-in-class product”.
Vertical farming involves growing produce in vertically stacked layers. When complete, the new hi-tech farm will cover 130,000sq ft, but have a production output equivalent to 900 acres of farmland.
Construction of the facility will begin in November this year and is expected to be completed towards the end of 2019. EKFC said that the first products would be delivered to its customers in December next year.
At full production, the facility will harvest 2,700kg of high-quality, herbicide-free and pesticide-free leafy greens daily, using 99% less water than outdoor fields, the partners said.
EKFC noted that the proximity of the farm to the point of consumption would also substantially reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation. A key advantage in the creation of onboard food is that the fresh products will reach customers within hours of harvest, maintaining high nutritional value.
Joint venture partner and vertical farm operator Crop One Holdings is the company behind FreshBox Farms. The Massachusetts-based subsidiary has, since 2016, produced nine different leafy green retail products. It serves 38 different supermarkets and home delivery services in the Boston metropolitan area.
Crop One said it produced the highest crop yield per square foot, at 25% of the capital cost, of any vertical farm. This is because of what it describes as its “unique combination of proprietary technology platform and best-in-class plant science”.
Commenting on the joint venture, Emirates Flight Catering Chief Executive Officer Saeed Mohammed said: “As one of the world’s largest airline catering operations, Emirates Flight Catering constantly looks at innovation, and ways to improve our productivity, product and service quality.
“Introducing the latest technology to our operations, we secure our own supply chain of high quality and locally-sourced fresh vegetables, while significantly reducing our environmental footprint.”
Crop One Holdings Chief Executive Officer Sonia Lo said: “Our proven business model has demonstrated profitable commercial production longer than any other major vertical farmer. We are farmers using the most sophisticated plant science and proven business efficiencies to provide market leading consumer products every day.
“Our selection after a 10-month search by EKFC is a validation of our successful business model that uses patented technology and processes to optimise crop yields and facilitate hyper-growth.”
EKFC provides catering for Emirates Airlines and 104 other airlines and 25 airport lounges, including all airlines at Dubai International.
