The Dream vs. The Reality
Vertical farming was supposed to change the game. Stack crops high, use tech to control everything, and boom—food, anywhere, anytime. Sounds great, right?
Not so fast.
Plenty of vertical farms (like Plenty and Freight Farms) are either struggling to stay afloat or have gone bankrupt. Why? Because they burn through cash faster than they grow crops. The biggest problem? Energy.
The Energy Problem No One Can Ignore
Traditional farming, even with all its flaws, has one massive advantage: the sun is free. Vertical farms, on the other hand, need artificial lighting, climate control, and infrastructure—all of which guzzle electricity. Here’s the energy breakdown:
Soil-based farming: 3,400 KJ/kg of produce per year (including transportation to stores)
Vertical farming: 139,980 KJ/kg per year
That’s a 41x energy difference. And that’s why most vertical farms can’t turn a profit.
The Hard Truth About Costs
Even with high-tech efficiencies, vertical farms still need:
Expensive LED lighting (which only lasts so long)
Heavy-duty climate control (because warehouses don’t come with free rain)
Massive upfront investment (we’re talking millions)
High ongoing costs (electricity isn’t getting cheaper)
Big brands poured billions into the hype. But without a way to slash energy use, vertical farms keep collapsing under their own weight.
A Smarter Way: Victory Farming
Instead of fighting nature, what if we worked with it? That’s where Aera’s Victory farming appliances come in.
Food grown at the point of consumption (think restaurants, kitchens, homes)
Uses existing climate-controlled spaces (no need for giant warehouses)
Yields enough produce with far less energy—just 2,740 KJ/kg per year
That’s lower than traditional farming without the waste and transport emissions. It’s sustainable, cost-effective, and actually makes sense.
The Bottom Line
Vertical farming sounded amazing—but the numbers don’t lie. It’s too expensive, too inefficient, and too dependent on artificial energy. Instead of stacking plants in warehouses, Aera’s Victory system brings farming to where people actually eat.
More food. Less waste. Smarter energy use.
FAQs
Q: Are all vertical farms doomed?
A: Not necessarily, but most struggle with profitability. The energy demands are just too high.
Q: Isn’t controlled-environment farming the future?
A: Yes—but it has to be energy-efficient and cost-effective. That’s why Victory farming works: it integrates into existing climate-controlled spaces.
Q: Can vertical farms work for specific crops?
A: Some, like microgreens or herbs, but large-scale staples? Not without insane energy costs.
Q: How does Victory farming compare to traditional farming?
A: Less energy, no transport emissions, and fresher produce—all at the point of consumption.
Vertical farming was a cool idea, but it’s time for a smarter solution. Victory farming isn’t just an alternative—it’s the next evolution of food production.
