The Circle, Rome’s pioneering aquaponics farm and the largest in the EU, has expanded its production facility to 12,500 m², enabling the cultivation of over 150,000 plants annually—yielding around 21,000 kg of lettuce per year. This innovative system merges aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soilless plant cultivation), creating a closed-loop ecosystem that drastically reduces water usage and environmental impact.
According to CEO Thomas Marino, the new facility advances their mission of sustainable agri-food innovation, cutting 3.2 million liters of water annually (180 liters saved per kg of lettuce) and reducing 33,000 kg of CO₂ emissions. Unlike conventional farming, The Circle’s system requires no synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, aligning with global trends toward resource-efficient agriculture.
Industry Recognition and Expansion
For the fifth consecutive year, The Circle ranked in the FoodTech500, climbing 116 spots to #200 globally and securing #3 in Italy. This highlights its role among the world’s most innovative AgriFoodTech companies. The farm is also expanding its team, hiring for roles in sales, operations, and R&D, signaling rapid growth in aquaponics.
Recent participation at Horeca Expoforum (Turin) and upcoming showcases at TuttoFood (Milan) aim to introduce new product lines—flavored oils, pestos, and aromatic salts—while educating retailers and HORECA professionals on aquaponics’ benefits.
Challenges and the Future of Aquaponics
Despite progress, the sector faces hurdles:
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Consumer awareness: Many still don’t understand aquaponics’ advantages over traditional farming.
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Scalability: Expanding to mainstream retail (e.g., supermarkets) requires cost-effective solutions.
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Energy efficiency: Further R&D is needed to optimize energy use in closed-loop systems.
Globally, aquaponics is gaining traction, with the market projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2023–2030 (Grand View Research). The Circle’s success demonstrates how technology and sustainability can coexist, offering a blueprint for the future of farming.
The Circle exemplifies how aquaponics can revolutionize agriculture—conserving water, cutting emissions, and eliminating chemicals. As climate change pressures traditional farming, such innovations will be critical. For farmers, agronomists, and policymakers, investing in aquaponic infrastructure could be key to food security and sustainability.
