The 2024 Global Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Census represents a yearly milestone in the ongoing effort to map the evolving landscape of the sector. At a time when the world faces mounting challenges in food security, urbanization, and climate change, the census offers a critical reflection on the current state and future trajectory of CEA practices worldwide. Conducted over three months, with input from over 450 respondents across 75 countries, the survey’s findings illuminate the diversity of operations, technological adoption, and ambitions driving the sector forward.
“Let’s continue working together to ensure that the CEA sector thrives and becomes an integral part of global food systems,” said Henry Gordon-Smith, founder and CEO of Agritecture. “This census reflects the challenges and opportunities we must address collectively.”
Emerging from its first iteration in 2019, the Global CEA Census has grown from a modest pulse check to an authoritative resource for understanding industry trends. The 2024 edition, with its sharp focus on technological integration, captures both the dynamism and the disparities within the sector. Respondents span the gamut from high-tech vertical farms to more traditional greenhouse operations, providing a nuanced picture of an industry navigating complexity with innovation and adaptability. This report was crafted collaboratively by Agritecture, CEAg World, and Meister Media Worldwide, with support from partners like Priva, Sollum Technologies, and TTA.
“It takes an environment of collaborative learning to facilitate success in any endeavor,” noted Heather Tunstall, Chief Content Officer of CEAg World. “But when it comes to something as vital as feeding the world’s people, working together becomes the keystone for sustainable growth.”
The Present Landscape of CEA Operations
Leafy vegetables remain the cornerstone of controlled environment agriculture, dominating production among surveyed respondents, with 268 respondents reporting their production of leafy greens. The reasons are clear: crops like lettuce and spinach align well with CEA’s strengths, including efficient resource use and rapid growth cycles. However, diversity in crop production is steadily expanding, reflecting evolving consumer preferences and the technological capacity to support more varied cultivation. Microgreens (51 respondents), edible flowers, and even crops like vanilla and hops, once considered niche, are finding their place within CEA systems.
“The evolution of crop diversity in CEA systems speaks to the innovation of growers and the growing demand for specialized, high-value crops,” added Gordon-Smith.
Vertical farms have emerged as the dominant operational model, accounting for 86% of respondents. This prominence underscores the appeal of vertical farming’s ability to maximize space and resources, particularly in urban settings. Yet, the census reveals that 43% of respondents still grow crops in soil, demonstrating that while technology adoption is advancing, traditional methods retain their relevance in certain contexts.
Regionally, the report highlights notable differences in technology adoption and operational focus. North America, representing 45.7% of respondents, and Europe lead in advanced technological integration, with automation and IoT forming integral parts of many operations. In contrast, regions such as MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and Africa focus more on energy efficiency and sustainability—reflecting local priorities and resource availability. These regional variances underscore the importance of tailoring solutions to meet specific market and environmental conditions.
The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future
The 2024 census emphasizes technology’s pivotal role in addressing the industry’s core challenges: improving efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and ensuring sustainability. Advanced climate control systems, lighting technologies, and fertigation methods have become essential tools for growers aiming to optimize productivity while minimizing waste.
Climate control, for example, has proven indispensable for maintaining optimal growing conditions in environments where external climates may be unsuitable for consistent crop performance. By leveraging sensors, IoT devices, and automation, growers can precisely regulate temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels, ensuring healthier plants and higher yields. Similarly, lighting control technologies—particularly dynamic LED systems—enable year-round cultivation by tailoring light intensity and spectra to the needs of specific crops. Nearly 100 respondents indicated active research into lighting control solutions for the next 12 months, highlighting its importance.
“Our dynamic lighting solutions empower growers to optimize plant growth cycles, reduce energy use, and improve crop quality year-round,” stated Louis Brun, CEO of Sollum Technologies. “This is critical for advancing the efficiency and sustainability of CEA.”
Yet, the census reveals gaps in adoption. Approximately 60% of farms continue to rely on manual methods for processes like seeding and planting, despite the availability of automation solutions that could free up labor for more strategic tasks. The barriers to technology adoption—cost, infrastructure limitations, and integration challenges—are consistent issues across regions, signaling the need for more accessible and scalable solutions.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Integration
Energy efficiency emerged as the top priority for respondents considering new technology investments. This focus aligns with the growing importance of sustainability within the sector and reflects the financial pressures of managing energy-intensive operations. Solar energy, already the most commonly adopted renewable source among CEA facilities, represents a promising pathway for reducing operational costs and carbon footprints. In regions like Asia and North America, agrivoltaics—using solar panels with agricultural production—is gaining traction, offering the dual benefits of energy generation and crop cultivation. Notably, 45% of Asia's respondents reported solar adoption, compared to 25% in North America.
“Solar and other renewable energy solutions are critical for ensuring the long-term viability of CEA operations while addressing global sustainability goals,” remarked Hans Peters, CEO of Priva.
However, the adoption of renewable energy remains uneven. Many facilities continue to rely on traditional power sources, often due to cost barriers or infrastructural constraints. Nevertheless, the census indicates a strong inclination toward exploring renewable options in the future, driven by regulatory pressures, market incentives, and the broader push for sustainability.
Funding and Investment Trends
The 2024 Global CEA Census highlights both challenges and opportunities in securing funding within the industry. 48.7% of the respondents reported bootstrapping their operations and relying on personal or internal capital to sustain and grow their businesses. This underscores the financial hurdles many operators face, particularly as access to external funding becomes more competitive.
Government grants or public sector support account for 13.5% of reported funding, signaling a growing interest from policymakers in promoting sustainable agriculture. Private investment also plays a significant role: 11.2% of respondents cited angel or seed funding, while 11.1% secured private equity or venture capital funding. These figures reflect a healthy mix of public and private investment driving the sector forward.
In terms of funding stages, the largest group of respondents (29%) indicated they are in the Series A stage, focused on early growth and expansion. This is followed by 25% in the seed stage and 21% in Series B, which emphasizes scaling operations. Meanwhile, 15% of respondents are not actively seeking investment, either due to operational self-sufficiency or recent funding rounds.
Interestingly, 37% of operators reported receiving investment or funding within the last 12 months, demonstrating strong recent activity in the sector. However, the census also notes that funding has become more selective, with investors scrutinizing business models more rigorously following notable failures in the vertical farming sector. This trend highlights the need for robust business strategies and clearer paths to profitability.
“The diversity of funding sources underscores the growing confidence in CEA as a critical solution for food security and sustainability,” said Gordon-Smith. “However, the industry must continue to innovate and prove its value to maintain investor interest.”
Obstacles to Progress and the Path Forward
While optimism about the future of CEA remains high—over 65% of respondents expressed a very positive outlook—the sector faces significant challenges. Cost and affordability rank as the primary barriers to adopting new technologies, underscoring the need for innovative financing models and affordable solutions. Infrastructure limitations, particularly in regions with less developed agricultural support systems, further complicate the integration of advanced technologies.
The skills gap also presents a challenge, though respondents expressed hope that future technologies will reduce the need for specialized expertise. Advances in farm management software, for example, are making operations more user-friendly and intuitive, enabling even small-scale operators to harness sophisticated systems. Additionally, over 84% of respondents indicated plans to expand their production areas in the next 12-24 months, a testament to the confidence in rising market demand and the sector’s ability to meet it.
“The optimism reflected in this census is a clear indicator of the sector’s resilience and potential,” said Heather Tunstall. “The planned expansions highlight how innovation and market demand are driving growth.”
Despite these hurdles, the census paints a picture of a resilient and innovative industry poised for growth. This growth is particularly notable in regions like MENA, where adopting sustainable practices is increasingly critical to addressing local food security challenges.
Conclusion: A Sector in Transition
The 2024 Global CEA Census serves as both a snapshot of the current state of controlled environment agriculture and a roadmap for its future. It highlights an industry simultaneously embracing cutting-edge technology and grappling with enduring challenges. From the rise of vertical farms to the integration of renewable energy, the census underscores the sector’s potential to transform food production in an era defined by environmental and social upheaval.
As the industry moves forward, collaboration among stakeholders—including growers, technology providers, policymakers, and investors—will be essential. "Together, we can elevate the impact of the Global CEA Census and shape the future of agriculture,” concluded Henry Gordon-Smith." By addressing barriers to technology adoption and fostering innovation tailored to diverse regional needs, the CEA sector can continue to evolve as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, offering solutions that are not only efficient but also equitable and resilient.
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