In a US$40-million joint venture with US-based Crop One Holdings, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) will build the world’s largest vertical farming facility near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The next time you take an Emirates flight, ingredients in your in-flight meals may be sourced from the world’s largest vertical farm.
In a US$40-million joint venture with US-based Crop One Holdings, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) will build the world’s largest vertical farming facility near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Just how big is the facility? According to sources, the vertical farm, once completed, will cover 130,000 square feet, with a production output equivalent to 900 acres of traditional farmland. At full production, the facility is expected to harvest about 2.7 tonnes of high-quality, herbicide- and pesticide-free leafy greens daily, using 99% less water than outdoor fields. Furthermore, since the farm will be located near the international airport, this substantially reduces the amount of carbon emissions associated with transportation.
Construction of the vertical farm is scheduled to begin in November 2018, and will take approximately one year to complete. The first products are expected to be delivered to EKFC’s customers, including 105 airlines and 25 airport lounges, in December 2019.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said, “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the Emirates Group, for Dubai, and for the UAE. This investment to build and operate the world’s largest vertical farming facility aligns with the UAE’s drive for more agricultural self-sufficiency, a vision [that] began with the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father. The introduction of ground-breaking technology at the facility also enhances Dubai’s position as a global innovation hub.”