CEA Crop Mix: North American Indoor Farming

The Landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture

Most North American indoor and CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) capacity is concentrated in a handful of high-value crops: tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce/leafy greens, herbs, peppers, berries, and mushrooms.

USDA and industry analyses show that in U.S. CEA systems, tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers account for roughly 60–70% of total CEA output by volume, making them the dominant indoor/greenhouse crops.

Across North America, the indoor farming market is overwhelmingly focused on fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which represent over 95% of indoor-farming market value; grains and staples are essentially absent from CEA operations.

CEA Output by Crop Type

Approximate breakdown of North American CEA production by volume. Ranges synthesize USDA, CRS, and market research data.

Tomatoes
25–35%
Lettuce & Leafy Greens
20–30%
Cucumbers
10–15%
Peppers (bell/chili)
5–10%
Herbs (basil, cilantro)
5–10%
Berries
~5%
Mushrooms & Specialty
remainder

Primary CEA Crops in North America

Tomatoes

~25–35%
Longest-established CEA crop. A large share of U.S. and Canadian fresh tomatoes now come from greenhouses and other CEA operations. The dominant volume leader in controlled environments.

Lettuce & Leafy Greens

~20–30%
Rapidly growing segment including salad mixes and microgreens. CEA has passed about 5% of the U.S. salad market nationally and over 20% in some regions.

Cucumbers

~10–15%
Widely grown in hydroponic greenhouses. Key greenhouse export crop in Canada and major CEA crop in the U.S.

Peppers (Bell & Chili)

~5–10%
Significant hydroponic greenhouse production. Often paired with cucumber operations due to similar growing requirements.

Culinary Herbs & Microgreens

~5–10%
High-value, fast-turnover crops that dominate many indoor/vertical farms focused on urban markets. Basil, cilantro, mint, and specialty microgreens.

Strawberries & Berries

~5%
Smaller but fast-growing CEA category, especially in newer vertical and greenhouse systems. High value justifies intensive production.

Why This Matters for Dark Recipe

A CDC or USDA character can credibly say that most indoor/CEA capacity is clustered in salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs—meaning a targeted contamination of just those lines hits salads, sandwiches, ready-to-eat meals, and school/hospital food all at once.

"Tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers make up nearly two-thirds of everything grown under glass and LEDs in North America. If those streams go bad, every salad bar from Detroit to Denver is in play."

Market Context: Indoor Farming Growth

Key Market Trends

  • Vertical Integration: Major CEA operators increasingly control seed-to-retail supply chains
  • Urban Proximity: Facilities clustered near population centers for "harvest to table in under 24 hours"
  • Technology Dependency: FarmCore/FarmLytics-style platforms manage lighting, nutrients, and climate
  • Consolidated Networks: What one facility learns, the entire network gains—a feature that becomes a vulnerability

Geographic Concentration

Major CEA clusters in the U.S. include:

  • Michigan (Detroit corridor)
  • California (Central Valley greenhouse operations)
  • Texas (Austin, Dallas metro areas)
  • Northeast corridor (New York, New Jersey vertical farms)

Canada's greenhouse industry, particularly in Ontario and British Columbia, represents significant cross-border supply chain integration.

Attack Surface Analysis

Why CEA Is Vulnerable

The concentration of production in a few crop types creates systemic risk:

Factor Implication
Crop Homogeneity Same varieties across multiple facilities respond identically to stress algorithms
Networked Control Cloud-based recipe distribution enables simultaneous compromise
Supply Chain Integration Contaminated product reaches consumers within 24–48 hours
Testing Gaps Standard food safety tests don't screen for stress-induced plant toxins
Short Cycle Times Leafy greens (18–28 days) offer rapid iteration for escalating toxicity

As documented in the Plant Biology section, the biochemical cascade can be triggered within a single growing cycle.

Data Sources & References

These ranges are not precise census percentages but are directionally accurate for thriller-grade realism, synthesized from:

  • USDA Economic Research Service: Controlled environment agriculture production, operations on the rise
  • Congressional Research Service: Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Production (IF12485)
  • Knowledge Sourcing: North America Indoor Farming Market Report 2029
  • CEAg World: CEA Basics: Top Controlled Environment Crops in North America
  • IMARC Group: Indoor Farming Market Size, Growth & Industry Report 2033
  • Grand View Research: U.S. Indoor Farming Market Size | Industry Report, 2030
  • NREL: Controlled Environment Agriculture technical report
  • Cornell University CEA Center: Program documentation

Related Sections

Plant Biology: Biochemical Mechanism — How stress pathways are weaponized
Systems & Control — FarmCore/FarmLytics architecture
Threats Overview — Attack vectors and mitigations