Economic Pathways and Consumer Dynamics in Sustainable Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA)

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 253

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Interests: economic modelling; circular economy; controlled-environment agriculture; optimization; local government policy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The advancement of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) brings with it new economic opportunities and challenges for sustainable food production. Economic analyses play a crucial role in assessing the viability of technological innovations in CEA, evaluating their impact on resource efficiency, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Additionally, consumer preferences and purchasing behavior drive market development, influencing the adoption and advancement of CEA. This Special Issue explores how business models, market dynamics, and consumer behavior shape the development and scalability of CEA, providing a platform for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to evaluate and prioritize transformative solutions that support the industry's sustainable future.

The key topics of interest for this Special Issue include the following:

  • The economic modeling of CEA—cost–benefit analyses, investment strategies, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Consumer behavior and market dynamics—how consumer preferences and demand trends shape CEA markets.
  • Technology-driven economic strategies—the AI, automation, and digital platforms optimizing production, distribution, and profitability.
  • Sustainable supply chains—economic resilience, value chain innovations, and policy-driven market interventions.
  • The circular economy and resource efficiency—business models that reduce waste, optimize inputs, and enhance financial sustainability in CEA.

We invite original research, theoretical and empirical studies, and case studies that provide interdisciplinary perspectives on the intersection of economics, consumer behavior, and technological advancements in CEA.

Dr. Simone Valle De Souza
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • controlled-environment agriculture
  • economic viability
  • supply chain resilience
  • economic modelling
  • sustainable CEA
  • circular economy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 1440 KB  
Article
Optimizing the Controlled Environment Agriculture Supply Chain: A Case Study for St. Louis, USA
by Haitao Li, Joe Parcell and Alice Roach
Agriculture 2025, 15(20), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15202129 (registering DOI) - 13 Oct 2025
Abstract
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) pivots food production from an outdoor field setting to the indoors where growing conditions can be calibrated to fit crop needs. This research investigates vertical farms as a type of CEA. In particular, using the St. Louis area as [...] Read more.
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) pivots food production from an outdoor field setting to the indoors where growing conditions can be calibrated to fit crop needs. This research investigates vertical farms as a type of CEA. In particular, using the St. Louis area as a case study, it provides data-driven support for optimizing a vertical farm’s business model including its supply chain. The methodology presented here informs agri-preneurs about what crops to grow in a vertical farm, how much to grow given local market demand, and what vertical farm configuration (e.g., Dutch bucket, nutrient film technique, deep water culture) a facility should use. Based on the case study’s base scenario, the simulated vertical farm business would record an economic loss. However, the study did find several paths to improving profitability. First, reducing fixed and variable costs benefits profitability. Proper facility-level production and resource planning helps with managing the fixed costs. Second, increasing market prices may benefit profitability, but it has diminishing returns. As a result, firms can justify making investments that enhance their reputation and market competitiveness, though the advantage these marketing activities provide will decline as prices increase. Third, growing demand or increasing market share does not necessarily improve profitability. Full article
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