Imagine a place where the desert reaches all the way out in every direction, where the heat is scorching hot, and where there isn't even the hope that the land can grow food. That place is Saudi Arabia. Its land is more than 95% desert, and each person has less than 500 cubic meters of renewable water per year, a steep drop from the global average of about 3,000. These conditions have long forced the Kingdom to rely on imports for more than 80% of its food. But change is in the air. Saudi Arabia wants to boost domestic food production by up to 50% and reduce reliance on imports by 30% under its ambitious Vision 2030 plan. One key strategy? Vertical farming. This innovative approach grows crops indoors, on top of one another in layers, controlling every factor, from temperature to humidity, which means higher harvests and far less water, exactly what is needed in a land where water is worth its weight in gold.
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Saudi Food Security
For decades now, ensuring there is enough food for everybody has been a pressing worry for Saudi Arabia. The country's climate is nothing short of daunting. Still, the annual rainfall barely reaches 100 millimeters in many parts, and summer temperatures can climb into the high 90s, all of which make traditional farming a constant struggle. That's not so tough, but the agriculture sector consumes around 80% of the country’s freshwater and depletes its already limited groundwater reserves. Saudi Arabia needs a farming method that can meet the goals set under Vision 2030, boosting local food production by half while cutting import reliance by nearly a third. That’s when vertical farming comes in, which can grow more crops in less space with no need for weather and runs around the clock.
This is just how seriously the Kingdom takes the matter, with its financial commitment. The UAE is willing to put $10 billion. And most of that money is being invested in cutting-edge agricultural tech, which is somewhat unsurprising considering that vertical farming is right at the front. It's not just a question of spending cash; it's about strategically reducing the nation's vulnerability to global market swings. Growing a bigger share of its fruits and vegetables indoors allows Saudi Arabia to steady the food supply, keep prices more predictable, and make sure fresh produce gets from the farm to local dinner tables with far fewer hurdles.
Vertical Farming Explained
Vertical farming includes growing crops on layers one on top of the other in structures that may be closed, and all factors, such as light humidity, among others controlled. Some of the farms that use genetically modified seeds are developed differently from open fields, and the lack of food requirement for rapid plant growth copes with conveyed irrigation and nutrient delivery. Vertical farming may produce ten to fifteen times more produce per unit area than conventional open-field farming. Several vertical farms yield 25-30 productions annually, while outside production offers only 1-2 cycles annually due to restriction of seasons. Saudi Arabia is not only piloting vertical farms; it is integrating them, occupying an important place in the country's food systems, with suitable financial propelling, localized adaptation, and placement policies. The Kingdom means what it says. Saudi Arabia has pledged about $10 billion for plans focused on boosting food security with such techniques as vertical farming.
This strategic funding aligns with Vision 2030’s ambitious targets: a 50% increase in domestic food production and a 30% reduction of dependence on food imports. These numbers are not just chosen; they indicate the urgent need to level out the nation's food security and better deal with resources in a world that is far from forgiving. Conducting agricultural activities in an environment where less than 100 millimeters of rain falls annually in many regions with fresh water availability per capita below 500 cubic meters (global average 3000), vertical farms are unique in their water use efficiency. Vertical farming could reduce water consumption by as much as 90 to 95% compared with traditional open-field farming.
A Saudi-based company, Red Sea Farms, shows how these stats have a real-world impact. It says it has cut freshwater use by up to 85%, using saltwater-based cooling and specific growing techniques compared to conventional greenhouse methods. These savings represent a major step toward long-term sustainability, as agriculture consumes around 80% of the Kingdom's freshwater. It’s not just about saving water; vertical farming is about maximizing output. Data from multiple peer-reviewed studies show that vertical farms can yield 10–15 times more per square meter than traditional fields. They also release you from seasonal constraints, meaning you can harvest 25–30 times per year instead of just 1–2 harvests per year outdoors. This kind of year-round productivity can help ease dependence on global supply chains and volatile commodity prices, as the Middle East region already imports roughly 85% of its food.
The numbers tell a compelling story: billions poured into local agricultural technology, multiple times higher yields per square meter, and up to 95% less water. These figures aren't theoretical. They show Saudi Arabia's determination to turn its greatest hurdle to feeding its population under the most difficult of circumstances into an opportunity for innovation and resilience. As vertical farms get more efficient, their success could spread to other arid regions, establishing global standards for sustainable food production in places where traditional agriculture simply can't survive.
Doing More with Less Resources
Water scarcity is arguably Saudi Arabia’s biggest agricultural challenge. The country’s water resources are far below the global average, and agriculture currently accounts for roughly 80% of freshwater use. Vertical farming tackles this head-on. Numerous sources, including The Swiss Quality and various agritech studies, report that vertical farms can cut water usage by up to 90% compared to open-field agriculture. This drastic reduction comes from using closed-loop irrigation systems, which recirculate water directly to plant roots, wasting almost none of it. For a nation where every drop counts, that kind of efficiency is a game-changer. It's not just about saving water—vertical farms maximize space as well. By stacking layers of plants, these farms can produce a far greater volume of crops per square meter than traditional fields. In many cases, vertical farms achieve yields up to 10–15 times higher per unit area. This matters when trying to boost local production and feed a growing population. Reducing land footprint also creates opportunities to place these farms close to urban centers, trimming transportation costs, decreasing spoilage, and ensuring fresher produce for consumers.
Major Trends
Saudi Arabia’s most significant agricultural challenge is water scarcity. The country’s water resources are far below the global average, and currently, agriculture accounts for about 80% of freshwater use. Vertical farming is taking on this head on. As with many other sources, The Swiss Quality and agritech studies mention that vertical farms can reduce water usage by 90% over open-field agriculture. That is, almost all of it is wasted because of traditional, open-loop irrigation systems that recycle water from one field to another and back again rather than transporting it to plant roots, as done with closed-loop irrigation systems. That kind of efficiency is a game-changer for a nation where every drop counts. Saving water is just the tip of the iceberg—vertical farms also maximize space. In this, these farms can stack layers of plants in order to create a far greater volume of crops per square meter than traditional fields. Vertical farms can reach yields of up to 10–15 times higher per unit area in most cases. That’s important when you want to increase local production and meet a growing population. It also reduces land footprint, and these farms can be moved near urban centers, cutting transportation costs, minimizing spoilage, and bringing fresher produce to the consumer.
Future Prospects
To date, vertical farms have concentrated heavily on leafy greens, herbs, and some vegetables that are well suited to controlled environments. However, as research and development continue over the next few years, we will see more produce grown indoors. Advances in LED lighting and nutrient delivery give hope that we could one day be able to grow strawberries, specialty greens, and even staple crops that seem impossible to grow now. In addition, as scientists and engineers perfect the right balance of light wavelengths, humidity, and nutrients, vertical farms can only get more efficient. Future systems may further refine water and energy use, reducing operating costs and shrinking their environmental footprint, compared to current saving about 90–95% of the water over traditional field agriculture.
But it’s still about energy consumption and the fact that Saudi Arabia is still pushing into renewable energy, especially solar, is promising. Vertical farms could be paired with solar power and other green energy sources to massively reduce carbon emissions and running costs. Eventually, this will become an increasingly effective integration of vertical farming, making it cheaper by increasing its production volume at a lower ecological price. The future of vertical farming in Saudi Arabia is that it takes an unthought-of concept—growing lots of food in a desert—and turns it into day-to-day reality. Despite the technical challenges involved, vertical farms are well-positioned to become a key component of the nation’s food security strategy by steadily investing in technology, keeping up with technological improvements, and a constant commitment to sustainability.
Conclusion
With Saudi Arabia pushing towards food security, vertical farming is more than just a dependable crop source. It is a symbol of rebound and adaptation. The Kingdom does not let a lack of arable land and scarce water constrain it. Instead, it uses these limitations as ways to accelerate the future by embracing controlled environment agriculture. Vertical farming is supported by massive investments, ongoing research, and a track record of sustainability, and is well positioned to rewrite the story of agriculture in one of the world’s most challenging climates. The results will take time to appear, and the journey continues. With each harvest that comes from a vertical farm, with each liter of water saved and each import bill reduced, Saudi Arabia moves a step closer to an era of greater independence and stability, and the desert can actually yield a richer, more secure bounty.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Tanemya Capital will not be held responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
.svg){kind=icon}
