Productivity potential and economic feasibility of small-sized tomato production in plant factories with artificial lighting: A comparative study with high-tech greenhouse production

Abstract

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) are hailed as a hope for a sustainable urban food supply system. However, this emerging industry is facing a challenge: What crops other than leafy vegetables can PFALs produce commercially? A promising candidate is small-sized tomatoes (ss-tomatoes), which some high-tech greenhouses (HTGHs) are producing. To examine the crop performance and economic viability of ss-tomato production in PFALs, we attempted a comparative analysis based on experiments conducted in a PFAL and an HTGH, along with a Dutch Report on HTGHs. The results show that ss-tomato production in HTGHs is economically viable in the Netherlands but not yet in our HTGH in Japan. The factor that explains the difference is the yield per plantable area. For our HTGH to be economically viable, the present yield of 30 kg/m2/year must be increased to 50 kg/m2/year. The economic performance of ss-tomato production in our PFAL is lower than that of our HTGH, despite its higher yield of 56 kg/m2/year. To attain the same economic performance, our PFAL must achieve a yield as high as 150 kg/m2/year. If PFALs were to provide a stable supply of safe foods to the growing urban population, they should attain higher yields, no matter how challenging it may be.