Vertical Farming Company Shifts Away from California

Big changes are happening in the world of indoor farming! Vertical farming startup Plenty has announced it will close its flagship indoor lettuce farm in Compton, California. The company cited rising energy costs and other challenges as key factors in this decision.

Instead, Plenty is focusing its future on strawberries, which it sees as a higher-value crop.

As reported by AgricultureDive.com, Plenty opened what it says is the world’s first large-scale indoor strawberry farm in Richmond, Virginia, this September. This strategic shift aligns with growing consumer demand for locally grown, premium-quality strawberries available year-round.

The company also has big plans on the international stage. In July, Plenty partnered with Abu Dhabi-based Mawarid Holding to bring indoor strawberry production to the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states.

Plenty’s Compton facility, which opened in 2023, had the capacity to grow 4.5 million pounds of lettuce annually, marking an important milestone in the company’s history.

For more on this story, visit https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/agtech-plenty-indoor-farm-closure-sound-agriculture-growers-edge/736186/