Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s largest catering operations, has completed its acquisition of Bustanica, a grower of vegetable produce, which operates the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.
This acquisition establishes Emirates Bustanica (formerly named Emirates Crop One) as a fully UAE-owned company, which aligns with the region’s vision of securing its food and water supplies and boosting its agricultural capabilities. One of the aims of the acquisition is to empower Emirates Bustanica to leverage its local expertise and access the latest agricultural technologies and techniques.
Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Bustanica’s 330,000sq ft facility, which opened in 2022, has the capacity to grow more than one million kilograms of quality leafy greens a year – equivalent to three tonnes daily – while using 95% less water than conventional agricultural methods.
Since its launch in July 2022, Bustanica’s consumer division has gained traction in the UAE market, supplying a range of leafy greens, herbs and microgreens to all the region’s major supermarkets, retailers and hospitality groups. Airline customers, including Emirates and other airlines, include this farm-fresh produce in their salads and meals served inflight and in lounges.
advises its produce can – and indeed should – be used straight out of the growing box, as even tap water can contaminate the produce. The company says its produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides, and is 100% clean, fresh, and nutrient-rich. Bustanica produces a variety of produce, including lettuce, spinach, arugula, parsley, and kale.
The methods used at Bustanica are interesting, with technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and various patented technologies used by the highly specialised in-house team, which includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists, and plant scientists.
