After a series of high-profile bankruptcies, many vertical farms are rethinking how they operate. Farms that once focused on lettuce or basil at scale are now turning to smaller, higher-value crops like microgreens and berries. It’s not just a change in what they grow. It’s a practical move to stay financially stable and keep their systems running efficiently.
At Vegbed, we’ve written before about how the economics of vertical farming often clash with real-world costs. In The Vertical Farming Paradox, we discussed why large indoor farms struggled to stay profitable despite advanced systems and big investments.
In The Definitive Microgreen Selection Guide, we explored how smaller growers succeed by choosing crops that balance yield, value, and time.
This new shift in the industry feels like a continuation of that story.
Why Farms Are Changing Course
For years, large-scale vertical farms promised to redefine agriculture. They built sophisticated facilities, secured major funding, and aimed to supply supermarkets nationwide. But crops like lettuce and spinach have low margins. Once energy, lighting, and labor costs were factored in, profits disappeared quickly.
When several companies, including Bowery, Kalera, and Infarm, went through restructuring or closures, it became clear that the model had to change. Now, many operators are focusing on crops that grow faster, require less space, and sell for more. Microgreens and berries are leading that shift.
Why Microgreens Make More Sense Than Lettuce
Microgreens have short growth cycles, usually seven to fourteen days, which means more harvests each month. Lettuce and other leafy greens take several weeks to mature, tying up valuable space and energy in the meantime.
Microgreens also use fewer inputs and deliver a better return per tray. A standard 10x20 tray can yield 8 to 12 ounces, generating a steady income on a two-week rotation. That rhythm helps maintain cash flow, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
For commercial growers, the best mix includes reliable base crops and premium varieties:
- Sunflower – High yield, customer favorite, great crunch.
- Pea Shoots – Quick turnaround, dependable profits.
- Arugula – Adds strong flavor and premium value.
- Kohlrabi (Purple/Red) – Visually appealing, mild taste.
- Cabbage (Red) – Long shelf life and crisp texture.
Balancing fast-selling staples with premium crops helps growers keep schedules manageable while improving margins.
The Rise of Berries Indoors
Alongside microgreens, berries, especially strawberries, are becoming an important category for vertical farms. They sell for a much higher price per pound than lettuce and attract year-round demand.
Berries take more skill and care to grow, but controlled environments make it possible to produce consistent, flavorful fruit without pesticides. With better lighting, pollination systems, and nutrient control, indoor berry production has become far more reliable than it was even five years ago.
Some farms are combining both crops. Microgreens provide steady weekly sales, while berries build a higher-value product line. This combination creates a stronger overall business model, balancing daily income with seasonal premium offerings.
What We Can Learn from the Early Vertical Farms
The first wave of vertical farming focused heavily on automation and scale. Many companies invested in complex systems before proving that their cost model worked. Energy, staffing, and maintenance costs quickly caught up, and profitability slipped away.
The farms that survived learned to simplify. They reduced system complexity, narrowed their crop range, and focused on efficiency. Smaller facilities that prioritize consistency and crop quality now outperform the large, highly automated farms that once dominated the headlines.
For most growers, the winning approach is to use straightforward systems, track costs closely, and grow crops that make financial sense per square foot. The goal isn’t to produce the most volume, it’s to produce the most value from each tray.
Sustainable Growing Media and Smarter Operations
Another big change happening across the industry is the move toward sustainable growing materials. With regulations in Europe restricting peat use, many growers are looking for clean, biodegradable alternatives. Bamboo fiber grow mats are becoming a preferred option for microgreens.
They help reduce waste, make cleanup easier, and provide consistent moisture retention without promoting mold. For commercial growers, that reliability saves time and reduces the need for constant maintenance.
It’s one more example of how vertical farming is shifting from high-tech complexity to practical, efficient systems that actually work day to day.
A Data-Driven, Business-Focused Mindset
The new generation of vertical farmers thinks more like small business owners than tech innovators. They track performance tray by tray, knowing exactly how much each batch costs and earns.
For example:
Pea Shoots – Low seed cost, high yield, steady income.
Amaranth – Higher seed cost, smaller yield, but strong price per ounce.
Tracking this kind of detail helps growers adjust faster, cut waste, and find what works best in their space and market. It’s also what separates successful farms from those still guessing.
The Direction Forward
The shift toward microgreens and berries marks a more grounded phase for vertical agriculture. Instead of trying to compete with field-grown crops, indoor farms are finding success in niches that reward freshness, flavor, and local sourcing.
Smaller, modular setups with reliable crop rotations are proving more sustainable than massive, centralized facilities. Microgreens fit perfectly into this framework; they’re fast, flexible, and profitable on a small footprint.
For new growers, this is the best time to start small, stay focused, and build a system around what sells consistently. For established operators, the message is the same: scale only what works, and never lose sight of the economics behind every tray.
The Takeaway
The vertical farming industry isn’t collapsing; it’s adjusting. The failures of the past few years were a correction in priorities, not a rejection of the idea itself.
Farms that succeed today are the ones that focus on cost control, crop performance, and market demand. Microgreens and berries fit that balance better than any other indoor crops. They’re quick to grow, easy to scale, and consistently profitable.
For growers, the lesson is simple: start with strong fundamentals, focus on efficiency, and grow crops that make sense. That’s how vertical farming will continue to mature quietly, steadily, and with real profitability behind it.