About Bustanica
Bustanica is a vertical farm in Dubai that opened in 2022 and was presented as the world's largest vertical farm at the time. It is operated by Emirates Crop One, a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering, which prepares meals for Emirates airline, and Crop One Holdings, a US vertical farming company.
The farm grows leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, rocket and mixed salad greens, in a controlled indoor environment. Crops are cultivated in stacked layers under LED lighting, with temperature, humidity and nutrients carefully controlled. This allows production to continue year-round, regardless of the desert climate outside.
Water efficiency is one of the farm's most important features. Vertical farming systems recirculate water, and Bustanica uses far less water than conventional open-field farming. In a country with scarce freshwater, where much water comes from energy-intensive desalination, this is a significant advantage.
The farm's produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides, and because it is grown locally, it can reach customers quickly after harvest, maintaining freshness. The controlled environment also reduces the risk of contamination.
Bustanica supplies Emirates Flight Catering, providing fresh greens for in-flight meals on Emirates flights, as well as retail customers in the UAE. Its produce is sold in supermarkets under the Bustanica brand, making locally grown vertical farm produce widely available to consumers.
The farm uses automation, sensors and data to monitor and optimise growing conditions. Advanced technology is essential for running a large-scale indoor farm efficiently.
The UAE imports the majority of its food, and food security has become a national priority. Vertical farming is one of the technologies being used to increase local production of fresh produce.
Aviation catering requires large quantities of consistent, high-quality produce, making a dedicated local supply valuable for an airline catering operation.
Bustanica is one of the most prominent examples of large-scale vertical farming in the UAE, and Startups UAE lists it among the country's agritech companies.
The farm grows leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, rocket and mixed salad greens, in a controlled indoor environment. Crops are cultivated in stacked layers under LED lighting, with temperature, humidity and nutrients carefully controlled. This allows production to continue year-round, regardless of the desert climate outside.
Water efficiency is one of the farm's most important features. Vertical farming systems recirculate water, and Bustanica uses far less water than conventional open-field farming. In a country with scarce freshwater, where much water comes from energy-intensive desalination, this is a significant advantage.
The farm's produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides, and because it is grown locally, it can reach customers quickly after harvest, maintaining freshness. The controlled environment also reduces the risk of contamination.
Bustanica supplies Emirates Flight Catering, providing fresh greens for in-flight meals on Emirates flights, as well as retail customers in the UAE. Its produce is sold in supermarkets under the Bustanica brand, making locally grown vertical farm produce widely available to consumers.
The farm uses automation, sensors and data to monitor and optimise growing conditions. Advanced technology is essential for running a large-scale indoor farm efficiently.
The UAE imports the majority of its food, and food security has become a national priority. Vertical farming is one of the technologies being used to increase local production of fresh produce.
Aviation catering requires large quantities of consistent, high-quality produce, making a dedicated local supply valuable for an airline catering operation.
Bustanica is one of the most prominent examples of large-scale vertical farming in the UAE, and Startups UAE lists it among the country's agritech companies.