Agricultural Drones Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 2.08 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 4.36 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 16.05 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Agricultural Drones Market Analysis
The Agriculture Drones Market size is estimated at USD 2.08 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 4.36 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 16.05% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Agri-tech companies have been coming up with innovative models for easing farming practices by focusing more on wireless platforms, like drone technology, to enable real-time decision-making regarding yield monitoring, crop health monitoring, field mapping, irrigation scheduling, and harvesting management to enhance agricultural productivity.
- North America is one of the most significant markets, with the United States being one of the most important marketplaces, with increased corporate activity, research, and investment. The National Institute for Food and Agriculture granted more than USD 100,000 to Kansas City State University for a drone research program that has been aiding in the development of stronger, more resistant strains of popular crops such as wheat and other grains. The drones will inspect wheat-breeding facilities, similar to how aerial imaging technology is used in agriculture, to identify wheat breeds and cross-breed them. This breakthrough will help certain crops mature faster and may have an impact on the worldwide seed business.
Europe is also one of the most advanced markets concerning the adoption of innovative technologies in agriculture. South America has the greatest potential for growth in this market. Although there is a large share of agricultural land in Asia, fragmented holdings, especially in countries like India, Indonesia, and China, limit the potential growth of agricultural drones over the forecast period. Although government initiatives in India, such as relaxed policies and financial support for startups, are expected to boost the market during the forecast period.
Agricultural Drones Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Agriculture Drones Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Adoption of Precision Farming Amid Declining Labour
The concept of precision farming has many advantages for the agricultural sector. Different technologies, such as global positioning systems and guided vehicles, are being developed to create an era of precision farming. The rapid growth of the agricultural sector, which is inculcating technological innovations into its agricultural practices, will continue to drive the market for precision farming and agriculture drones. The labor shortage in agriculture, which has been increasing as a major problem, has also led to more reliance on precision farming tools like agricultural drones.
In the United States, larger farms are increasing their use of precision agriculture and overcoming technology barriers to implementing practices. Fewer Mexican seasonal workers moved across the border during the pandemic, disrupting farms' plans for spring planting and bringing in crops ready for harvest, such as lettuce in California, berries in South Carolina, and tomatoes in Florida.
Owing to the increased labor shortages and higher focus on agriculture sustainability, the use of drones and UAVs in agriculture is anticipated to increase in Europe, and various startups are also emerging in this field in the region. According to the National Farmers' Union of the United Kingdom, as much as USD 73 million of food has been wasted on farms due to a labor shortage, with at least USD 27 million of fruit and vegetables wasted by the half-year of 2022.
According to the National Farmers' Union Survey conducted in 2022, 40% of respondents to a survey of its members indicated they had crop losses due to labor shortages, with farms falling 14% short of the staff they need on average. The countries in Europe look forward to going sustainable, and the region has some of the most stringent laws on the use of pesticides and insecticides. To reduce the use of these chemicals, experiments have already been conducted in Spain and the United Kingdom that involved using aerial spraying with drones. Such experiments and labor shortages are anticipated to determine the benefits of using drones and thus drive the market.
North America Dominates the Market
North America is the largest and most advanced market concerning the adoption of innovative technologies in agriculture. North America has dominated the market for smart farming with new and advanced technologies and innovative ideas in the modern generation. It also improved farm tools with the help of IoT and AI. Being in an urbanized region, the farmers know how to use smartphones and the latest technologies. Farmers can determine the peak conditions of the plants in the field with the help of sensors.
Drones are also more applicable in North America for spraying purposes. The precision technique is useful for data collection on plants in field conditions. The United States was an early adopter of precision farming technologies, which is the primary factor responsible for the region's most significant share in the global market. Even small, family-owned farms, which account for 90% of all farms in the United States, are incorporating drones into their operations by contracting with service providers to deploy UAS for aerial mapping and fertilizer and pesticide crop spraying. Drones are also helping to alleviate labor shortages and improve efficiency in the United States, where the average farmer is 57.5 years old. According to studies, the use of drones in farming activities reduces expenses. According to an American Farm Bureau Federation study, the average U.S. farmer that uses agricultural drones sees a return on investment of USD 12 per acre for maize and USD 2 to USD 3 per acre for soybeans and wheat. A considerable acceptance of modern agricultural methods in Canada is also contributing to the industry's growth.
Agricultural Drones Industry Overview
The agriculture drones market is highly fragmented, with the presence of many local and regional players and other international players. Relatively high capital requirements and the need for continuous R&D investments could affect new entrants. Thus, they need to contend with market incumbents due to their strong presence in several industries. Some of the players in the market are 3D Robotics Inc., AeroVironment, AgEagle LLC, DJI, and Trimble.
Agricultural Drones Market Leaders
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DJI
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Ag Eagle
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3DR
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AeroVironment Inc.
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Trimble
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Agricultural Drones Market News
- February 2022: Trimble introduced a next-generation 3D paving control system for Asphalt compactors, designed to improve the speed and accuracy of the compactors.
- January 2022: Eavision launched the EA-30X, a professional agriculture spraying drone built by Pininfarina Shanghai that can cover all terrains, all times, and all plant protection application scenarios. The new version of EA-30X dual-eye environment sensing technology offers dynamic continuous obstacle avoidance, as well as full coverage of terrain below 90 degrees; the new generation night autonomous operation.
- December 2021: DJI introduced its latest AGRAS T20 drone in its crop protection series for agriculture. It can carry a maximum payload of 20 kg and 20% improvement in uniformity spray around seven meters.
Agricultural Drones Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
-
5.1 Product Type
- 5.1.1 Hardware
- 5.1.1.1 Fixed-wing
- 5.1.1.2 Rotary Blade
- 5.1.1.3 Hybrid
- 5.1.2 Software
- 5.1.2.1 Data Management
- 5.1.2.2 Imaging
- 5.1.2.3 Data Analytics
- 5.1.2.4 Other Software
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5.2 Application
- 5.2.1 Field Mapping
- 5.2.2 Variable Rate Application
- 5.2.3 Crop Scouting
- 5.2.4 Other Applications
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5.3 Geography
- 5.3.1 North America
- 5.3.1.1 United States
- 5.3.1.2 Canada
- 5.3.1.3 Mexico
- 5.3.1.4 Rest of North America
- 5.3.2 Europe
- 5.3.2.1 United Kingdom
- 5.3.2.2 France
- 5.3.2.3 Germany
- 5.3.2.4 Rest of Europe
- 5.3.3 Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.3.1 India
- 5.3.3.2 China
- 5.3.3.3 Japan
- 5.3.3.4 Australia
- 5.3.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.4 South America
- 5.3.4.1 Brazil
- 5.3.4.2 Argentina
- 5.3.4.3 Rest of South America
- 5.3.5 Middle-East and Africa
- 5.3.5.1 South Africa
- 5.3.5.2 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 3D Robotics Inc.
- 6.3.2 AeroVironment
- 6.3.3 AGCO Corp.
- 6.3.4 AgEagle LLC
- 6.3.5 AutoCopter Corp.
- 6.3.6 Delair-Tech SAS
- 6.3.7 DJI
- 6.3.8 DroneDeploy
- 6.3.9 Eagle UAV Services
- 6.3.10 Honey Comb Corp.
- 6.3.11 Parrot SA
- 6.3.12 Precisionhawk
- 6.3.13 Sentera LLC
- 6.3.14 Trimble Navigation Limited
- 6.3.15 Yamaha Motor
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityAgricultural Drones Industry Segmentation
Drones are a stirring innovative technology that could change how farmers manage their operations. This technology is ultimately expected to become as pervasive as tractors. Drones can collect data that can be used to decide if crops have enough water or find leakages in the irrigation system. The Agriculture Drones Market is Segmented By Product Type (Software and Hardware), Application (Field Mapping, Variable Rate Application, Crop Scouting, and Other Applications), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East and Africa). The report offers market size and forecast for agricultural drones in value (USD million) and volume in units for the above segments.
| Product Type | Hardware | Fixed-wing |
| Rotary Blade | ||
| Hybrid | ||
| Product Type | Software | Data Management |
| Imaging | ||
| Data Analytics | ||
| Other Software | ||
| Application | Field Mapping | |
| Variable Rate Application | ||
| Crop Scouting | ||
| Other Applications | ||
| Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Rest of North America | ||
| Geography | Europe | United Kingdom |
| France | ||
| Germany | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | India |
| China | ||
| Japan | ||
| Australia | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Geography | South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Geography | Middle-East and Africa | South Africa |
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Agricultural Drones Market Research FAQs
How big is the Agriculture Drones Market?
The Agriculture Drones Market size is expected to reach USD 2.08 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 16.05% to reach USD 4.36 billion by 2029.
What is the current Agriculture Drones Market size?
In 2024, the Agriculture Drones Market size is expected to reach USD 2.08 billion.
Who are the key players in Agriculture Drones Market?
DJI, Ag Eagle, 3DR, AeroVironment Inc. and Trimble are the major companies operating in the Agriculture Drones Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Agriculture Drones Market?
Europe is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Agriculture Drones Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Agriculture Drones Market.
What years does this Agriculture Drones Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Agriculture Drones Market size was estimated at USD 1.79 billion. The report covers the Agriculture Drones Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Agriculture Drones Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
What are the key challenges faced in the Agriculture Drones Market?
The key challenges faced in the Agriculture Drones Market are a) Evolving regulations on airspace usage, data privacy, and pesticide application for drones b) Shortage of skilled personnel for data analysis and interpreting drone-generated insights
Agriculture Drone Industry Report
The global agricultural drones market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in drone technology and evolving regulatory landscapes. These UAVs are becoming increasingly essential in various agricultural applications such as precision farming, livestock monitoring, and forestry, responding to global population growth and dynamic food demand. The market segmentation includes robust hardware like fixed-wing drones for extensive coverage and sophisticated software that provides vital data analytics for agricultural management.
Despite challenges like high initial costs and data management complexities, the strategic adoption of integrated pest management systems using drones presents substantial market opportunities. Enhanced efficiency and yield improvement benefits underline the promising expansion trajectory for the agriculture drone market size, particularly in regions like India, where innovative farming solutions are increasingly pivotal.
The industry analysis indicates that the agriculture drones market is poised for substantial growth, with key segments including both software and hardware. The market forecast suggests continued expansion, supported by the market value derived from increased adoption of these technologies. Market leaders in this space are focusing on improving the market outlook by addressing the complexities associated with data management and high initial costs.
The industry overview shows that the global market is segmented by product type and application, covering diverse regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle-East and Africa. The market growth is further supported by the industry trends towards enhanced agricultural management through the use of UAVs. For more detailed insights, accessing industry reports and market data can provide a comprehensive understanding of the market segmentation and market predictions.
In conclusion, the agricultural drones market is set to expand significantly, driven by technological advancements and the need for efficient agricultural practices. The market review highlights the importance of industry research and industry sales in understanding the market trends and industry statistics. For a deeper dive into the market analysis and industry outlook, consider exploring market research reports and industry information available through various research companies.
