Montel and Toronto Metropolitan University test bee-free indoor berry production as vertical farming seeks profitability

Montel has partnered with researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University to test a technology designed to grow berries indoors without bees, as vertical farming operators seek to expand into more profitable crops.

The collaboration centers on a pilot facility in Montmagny, Quebec, where a patented airflow-based system will be evaluated under commercial-style growing conditions. The project is supported by funding of up to C$5 million ($3.7 million) awarded in 2025 through the Homegrown Innovation Challenge, an initiative of the Weston Family Foundation focused on strengthening domestic food production.

Industry looks beyond leafy greens

Vertical farming has attracted billions of dollars in investment over the past decade, offering year-round production close to consumers. But many operators have struggled to achieve consistent returns, as high energy costs, capital intensity and competition in premium lettuce and herb markets squeezed margins and contributed to consolidation and business failures.

Expanding into fruiting crops such as berries is widely viewed as a potential next phase. Berries command higher prices and face steady year-round demand, but their short shelf life and reliance on pollination have made large-scale indoor production difficult.

Pollination remains a key technical obstacle

Unlike leafy greens, berries require effective pollination to produce uniform, marketable fruit. Indoor farms typically rely on managed bee colonies, which can be difficult to maintain in controlled environments and add operational costs.

Researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University, led by professors Habiba Bougherara and Lesley Campbell, are developing a system that uses controlled airflow and microclimate adjustments to transfer pollen between flowers mechanically, eliminating the need for insects.

Researchers aim to determine whether the approach can improve yield consistency and support multi-layer indoor production of raspberries and other berries, which could increase output per square meter.

Pilot farm to test commercial viability

Montel will construct and operate the pilot facility, known as MoFarm, adjacent to its manufacturing site. The installation is intended to replicate commercial vertical farming conditions and assess whether the pollination system can perform reliably over continuous growing cycles.

The company, founded in 1924, produces mobile storage and vertical farming systems designed to increase growing capacity in indoor environments. Its participation reflects broader collaboration between equipment manufacturers and research institutions seeking to address technical constraints in indoor agriculture.

Canada imports significant volumes of fresh berries outside its domestic growing season, and the project aligns with efforts to increase local production and reduce supply dependence.

If commercially viable, the technology could allow indoor farms to expand into higher-value fruit crops, a shift seen as important for improving the sector’s long-term economics.