Key Takeaways
- The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention is set for 30 September–1 October 2025 at the Congress Center Hamburg
- Event to explore inhouse farming models, including vertical farming, insect breeding, and aquaculture
- Experts advise farmers to assess structures and sales channels before entering new markets
- Emphasis placed on regionality, innovation, and networking within alternative protein production
- Organized by the German Agricultural Society (DLG), the event will feature technical sessions and exhibitions
Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention 2025 to Address Innovation in Agri-Food Systems
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention 2025, organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), will take place on 30 September and 1 October 2025 at the Congress Center Hamburg. The convention aims to provide a platform for exploring sustainable and innovative food production methods, with a focus on new business models in the agricultural and food value chains.
With climate change, biodiversity concerns, and changing dietary patterns—including the rise of flexitarianism—creating pressure on current systems, the convention will bring together stakeholders to discuss practical pathways for transitioning toward alternative protein sources and controlled-environment production methods.
Focus on New Models: From Insect Farming to Aquaculture
The two-day event will highlight a range of inhouse farming approaches such as insect breeding, vertical farming, and aquaculture. Speakers from academia and industry will examine the economic and technical aspects of implementing these systems. Interactive sessions and a foyer exhibition will facilitate knowledge exchange between producers, researchers, and supply chain actors.
According to Prof. Tilo Hühn, Chair of the DLG Committee for New Feed & Food and a researcher at ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, these innovations respond to major challenges facing agriculture. “New foods and feeds offer marketable products that promise solutions,” he noted, while emphasizing that long-term adoption will depend on factors including pricing and regulatory frameworks.
Practical Considerations for Farmers Entering Emerging Segments
Simone Poppe, managing director of NewFood Consulting and also a member of the DLG Committee, highlighted the importance of planning when entering new markets. She advised that agricultural businesses should assess their existing infrastructure and regional sales channels before making investments in areas such as algae cultivation or insect farming.
Examples like farm-based bioreactors for cell mass production or partnerships with local mills for legume processing were cited as possible models for farmers exploring diversification. Poppe also underscored the importance of developing regional supply chains to align with consumer demand for traceable and local products.
The Role of Regionality, Retail Strategy, and Networking
Both Poppe and Hühn emphasized that the success of alternative proteins is increasingly tied to regionality and consumer perception. While pricing remains a key factor for retailers, there is growing recognition of the value of locally sourced ingredients. Hühn suggested that supply chain transparency could become more important to consumers in the future, influencing purchasing decisions.
Networking and collaboration across the value chain—from seed suppliers to food manufacturers—were identified as essential for navigating the transition. According to Poppe, “Everyone is changing their network structure and their value chain.”
Looking Ahead For Inhouse Farming’s Convention: From Early Adoption to Market Leadership
The DLG Committee’s overarching message is that farms considering transformation should proceed step-by-step and with strategic foresight. The case of Rügenwalder Mühle was cited as an example of a company that transitioned early into plant-based products while retaining its traditional operations, ultimately establishing itself as a market leader.
The Inhouse Farming – Feed & Food Convention 2025 will provide an opportunity to engage with these developments and explore how innovation and sustainability can be combined to build future-proof food systems.
More details on the event here.
