Key Takeaways

• Germany’s CEA Strategy – A Coordinated Approach: The workshop emphasized shaping a national strategy to strengthen collaboration between research, policy, and industry. The goal is to position Germany as an innovation leader and create a framework for scaling CEA technologies.
• Defining CEA – Blurred Boundaries: The term “Controlled Environment Agriculture” lacks clear boundaries compared to other production systems and bioengineering approaches. A precise definition is essential to avoid overlaps and ensure targeted research and policy development.
• True Cost of Food – A New Benchmark for CEA? : U.S. initiatives calculate the “true cost” of food from seed to plate, including climate impact, soil degradation, food waste, and microplastics. Comparing these costs with current supply chains creates a realistic basis for evaluating CEA’s sustainability potential.
• Research Priorities for CEA Expansion: Key areas include crop system design, economic viability, circular resource use, and coupled production systems. These priorities reflect the need for integrated solutions combining technology, biology, and sustainability.
• Infrastructure and Funding – Enabling Innovation: Participants highlighted the need for dedicated pilot facilities, structured funding programs, and coordinated knowledge transfer to accelerate technology development and market adoption.
• Global Competitiveness and Market Acceptance: Export opportunities and consumer trust were central topics. Strategies to improve acceptance of CEA products in domestic and international markets will be critical for long-term success.