In a world where arable land is shrinking and food security is on the agenda of every major city, the 6th Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 (GVF) couldn’t be more timely. Returning to Dubai’s Festival Arena this September (10–11), GVF is the Middle East’s largest event dedicated to the fast-evolving world of Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and this year, the buzz is bigger than ever.
The concept is simple yet revolutionary: what if crops could be grown upwards, in stacked layers, inside climate-controlled environments that use 95 per cent less water and no pesticides? No soil, seasons or long supply chains. Welcome to the world of vertical farming, a booming industry at the crossroads of agriculture, sustainability, and smart technology.
For the lifestyle-conscious and eco-aware, this is where the future of food is being shaped. Gone are the days when ‘local’ meant seasonal limitations or a compromise in quality. Vertical farms can deliver fresh greens and herbs 365 days a year with minimal environmental impact. And with Dubai’s growing population and hot desert climate, the city has emerged as a perfect hub for innovation in this field.
Over two days, the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 will host more than 5,000 visitors, 100 exhibitors and sponsors, and 50 expert speakers from AI-driven hydroponic systems to cutting-edge grow lights and sustainable packaging solutions. Attendees can expect to see leading names such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Veggitech, UNS Farms, Wallfarm, and Greeneration alongside new disruptors and innovators, as well as government and policy voices.
Why the Global Vertical Farming Show matters
With global food demand projected to rise by 60 per cent by 2050 and agriculture already responsible for nearly a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, there’s an urgent need to rethink how and where we grow our food. For many nations, reducing the carbon footprint of food imports is now a key part of net-zero strategies.
In the UAE alone, over 85 per cent of food is imported, making local, year-round production a critical goal for both sustainability and food security. Vertical farming offers a practical solution allowing fresh produce to be grown closer to the consumer, with minimal transport emissions, while using far less land and water than conventional agriculture.
Thanks to the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy, the country has set bold targets: sourcing 50 per cent of basic food needs locally by 2023 and ramping that to 70 per cent by 2025 as part of a broader plan to reach net‑zero emissions by 2050. With indoor and vertical farming at the core, these efforts not only bolster food security but also dramatically reduce carbon footprints cutting transport emissions and water use while supporting the UAE’s clean‑energy and sustainability goals.
Mohammad Talha Sarwar, Project Manager of GVF 2025, says: ‘GVF offers a unique and focused platform. While many ag-tech events touch upon vertical farming in limited capacities, GVF is exclusively dedicated to Vertical Farming and CEA technologies – including Hydroponics, Aeroponics, HVAC, LED Lighting, Grow Lights, Automation & Robotics, Climate Control, Sustainable Packaging, and more. Exhibitors and attendees alike benefit from a highly targeted and relevant audience, enabling meaningful connections and high-value partnerships.’
For visitors, the show offers more than just tech. It’s an inspiring glimpse into what the future of food could look like: fresher, greener, and closer to home. And as consumer interest in local, low-impact food continues to rise, so too does the appetite for events like the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025.
See the Full List of Participants here or Book your booth here
For more details and registration, visit https://verticalfarmingshow.com.
