Food availability

Meeting the needs of a growing population

With the world population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, food availability faces a number of growing challenges. Global food demand is expected to rise by 70% by 2050, while the amount of arable land globally is decreasing. Approximately one-third of the world’s available food is either spoiled or thrown away before it ever reaches a plate. Overall, the world’s current food production and distribution systems contribute 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

To address these challenges, significant changes to our food systems are needed to ensure enough safe, healthy, accessible, and affordable food for all. LED technologies can provide an answer by offering lighting solutions for efficient farming, both on land and in water.

Helping to grow the world’s food

With the right light spectra and growth recipes, our lighting innovations give better control over climate and crops and help to achieve high quality and yield at the right time. Some methods enable farmers to grow food without pesticides and use up to 98% less water.

Signify brings more than 80 years of horticultural lighting experience in both conventional and LED products and systems. We are the largest provider of science-based lighting recipes and greenhouse lighting systems that boost yield and plant performance, supported by a global team of application engineers and plant specialists.

Signify supports the United Nations Strategic Development Goals

Our horticulture, agriculture, and aquaculture ambitions are guided by UN SDG 3 (good health and well-being).

Benefits of indoor growing with LED lighting

Improve reliability vs. field farming

Controlled production cycle increases predictability
Grow without pesticides

Optimize quality

Increase yield and efficiency

Greater yield/year vs. open field production
Shorter production cycles year-round
Less water needed
Support local food production

Learn more about LED grow lights

Sustaining fish production

According to the UN, nearly 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are now fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted. Sensible policies for conserving fish stocks and ensuring responsible fish farming are needed globally.

LED lighting solutions can help to optimize fish development and welfare, reduce production costs, and increase revenue. Philips aquaculture lighting addresses the specific needs of hatchery and grow-out sites either on land or offshore, and has been developed in close collaboration with leading universities and institutes. Our lights incorporate the most advanced LED chipsets and controls with the finest marine-grade materials, ensuring durability under the toughest conditions.

Learn more about LED-based aquaculture lighting

Prolonging the shelf life of food

Poor lighting affects the quality of fresh produce. The right lighting helps keep food fresh longer, which means a longer shelf life and less waste.

Our fresh food LED lighting recipes can help make the difference in your fresh food departments by improving both the presentation and quality of your most perishable products.

Discover fresh food LED recipes