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Aeroponic Indoor Strawberry Feasibility
Every December, as Swiss families gather to celebrate, the strawberries on their tables have travelled hundreds of kilometres — often from Spain or Morocco. During the long winter months, Switzerland depends entirely on imports to meet its appetite for fresh fruit, a dependence that comes at the cost of high CO₂ emissions, declining freshness, and lost self-sufficiency.
This reliance exposes a broader tension in Swiss agriculture: how can a small country ensure food sovereignty while reducing its environmental footprint? The potential of indoor farming is undeniable, yet the feasibility of producing strawberries under controlled conditions — in the middle of winter, and in Switzerland — remains largely untested.
(up to) avoided per ton of fruit by replacing winter imports
Led by Agroscope and Les Fruits de Martigny, this pioneering initiative explores whether Swiss strawberries can thrive indoors using aeroponic systems powered by renewable energy. The project is designed as a scientific journey — one that unites research, technology, and ecology to create a new model for sustainable fruit production.
Over twelve months, researchers will cultivate strawberries in a fully controlled environment, adjusting light, nutrients, and humidity to emulate ideal growing conditions. The system operates in a closed water and nutrient loop, allowing up to 95 % water savings compared to traditional farming. At the same time, photovoltaic options will be studied to make the system energy neutral, turning solar light into both power and sweetness.
By producing strawberries locally, even in the coldest months, the project offers an alternative to imports that can avoid up to 3 tons of CO₂ per ton of fruit, while ensuring exceptional quality — berries with at least 8° Brix sweetness and firm texture ready for the Swiss market.
"Indoor food production systems present a unique opportunity to meet food sovereignty and sustainability goals"
The Indoor Strawberry Project is more than an experiment — it is a glimpse into the future of Swiss agriculture. By merging science and sustainability, it aims to prove that energy-smart vertical farming can deliver local produce year-round without compromising on taste, quality, or ethics.
If successful, the project will establish Switzerland’s first proof-of-concept for winter strawberry production, achieving yields of up to 50 kg per square metre per year while demonstrating that food production and environmental stewardship can thrive side by side.
Through this initiative, Agroscope and its partners hope to inspire a new generation of growers and consumers — one that sees technology not as a substitute for nature, but as its ally.
