Agricultural Drone Market

The global Agricultural Drone Market is valued at USD 3.2 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 28.11 Billion by 2030 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 31.2% between 2023 and 2030.

Premium Insights

The growth of the Agricultural Drone market is being fueled by the increasing adoption of precision agriculture practices on a global scale. Precision agriculture utilizes advanced technologies, including agricultural drones, to gather and analyze real-time data on crop health, soil conditions, and other important factors. The rising labor shortages and growing emphasis on sustainability are fueling the increased use of drones and UAVs in European agriculture. This is exemplified by the influx of startups venturing into this field, demonstrating the regions commitment to adopting these innovative technologies. In parallel, there has been a substantial loss of food in the European market due to labor shortages, as reported by the National Farmers' Union. For instance, an estimated £60m worth of food, including £22m in fruits and vegetables, was wasted in 2022. A survey conducted by the NFU further disclosed that 40% of respondents encountered crop losses directly linked to workforce shortages, with farms operating at a workforce size 14% below their optimal capacity.

• As the use of drones and other emerging technologies becomes commonplace, there will be significant advancements as these unmanned devices continue to develop. For instance, according to research conducted in the United States, the adoption of agricultural drones is having a considerable impact on farmers' financial resources. The American Farm Bureau Federations study reveals that the average U.S. farmer who incorporates drones into their practices experiences a return on investment of $12 USD per acre for corn, as well as $2 to $3 per acre for soybeans and wheat.
• Asia Pacific generated more than 42.90% of revenue share in 2022
• North America is expected to grow at the quickest rate from 2023 to 2030
• Software and Services segment accounted for the largest market growth. It contributed over 38.5% of the total revenue share in 2022
• Controller Systems segment revealed the most significant market growth, contributing more than 25.2% of the total revenue share in 2022
• Medium-weight drones (2 to 10kg) will dominate the market in 2022
• Outdoor farming equipment will account for largest share in 2022
• Cereals and Grains will dominate the Agricultural Drone market in 2022
• In 2022, Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) dominated the Agricultural Drone market
• Large Sized Farm will account for largest market share of 50.3% in 2022
• Precision Farming will account for market share of 40.2% in 2022

Economic Insights

The economic dynamics of the Agricultural Drone market are shaped by a combination of factors, contributing to its growth and impact on the agricultural sector. This market has emerged as a catalyst for economic change, as it offers innovative solutions to traditional farming practices. By facilitating precision farming, agricultural drones allow farmers to optimize resource utilization, increase yields, and reduce costs. The adoption of these technologies has the potential to generate economic value by improving overall agricultural efficiency and sustainability. Moreover, investments in agricultural drone technology have the ability to create jobs in sectors such as drone manufacturing, software development, and drone service provision.

Top Market Trends

• Precision Farming Adoption: Drones are essential tools that empower farmers by providing them with valuable information about their crops, livestock, and soil. As a result, the implementation of precision agriculture practices promotes a more efficient utilization of resources, ultimately enhancing yields and reducing costs.
• Integration of Advanced Technologies: With the integration of AI, machine learning, and computer vision, these drones are now equipped to gather and process data more effectively. This advanced technology allows for the analysis of information collected by drones, producing valuable and practical insights for farmers.
• Diverse Applications: The growth of the market was fueled by the diversification of applications in agricultural drones, which extended beyond crop monitoring. Tasks such as planting, crop spraying, and livestock monitoring were all now being carried out by drones.
• Focus on Data Analytics: Data analytics has become a key focus in the agricultural industry due to the increasing significance of data collected by drones. To effectively utilize this data, companies are prioritizing the development of strong analytics platforms. These platforms are designed to handle the immense volume of information generated by drones, offering farmers valuable insights that aid them in making informed decisions.
• Focus on Sustainability: Sustainability has become a focal point, leading to the utilization of drones in farming operations. These unmanned aerial vehicles are being employed to maximize resource efficiency, minimize the negative effects on the environment, and ultimately improve the overall sustainability of agriculture practices.

Market Segmentation

Agricultural Drone {{Segmentation_Ext}}

Based on Offering

Software and Services holds the largest share

The software and services segment is expected to dominate the Agricultural Drone market driven by agricultural drone software and services play in maximizing the benefits of drones for farmers. With the help of agricultural drone software, farmers can efficiently plan and execute drone flights, collect and analyze drone data, and generate valuable crop health maps and insights. Furthermore, agricultural drone services offer immense value by providing farmers with the opportunity to engage drone service providers for activities such as aerial surveys, pesticide and fertilizer applications, livestock monitoring, and tree planting.

Based on Component

Controller Systems will dominate the market during Forecast Period

The controller systems is expected to dominate the Agricultural Drone market, playing a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of these aerial vehicles. These systems are essential for monitoring the drones flight, navigation, and other functions, and they are continuously evolving to incorporate advanced features like autopilot, precision landing, and obstacle avoidance.

Based on Payload capacity

Medium-weight drones (2 to 10kg) will lead the market

Medium-weight drones (2 to 10kg) are expected to maintain their dominance in the Agricultural Drone market because they are highly versatile and can be used for various agricultural applications including aerial photography, mapping, crop monitoring, livestock surveillance, pesticide and fertilizer spraying, and seeding. The appeal of medium-weight drones is further enhanced by their affordability and accessibility to farmers of different sizes. Additionally, technological advancements, such as extended flight times and improved payload capacities, make medium-weight drones even more attractive to farmers.

Based on Farming Equipment

Outdoor will account for largest share

Outdoor will dominate the Agricultural Drone market due to the widespread use of agricultural drones in outdoor applications such as aerial photography, mapping, crop monitoring, livestock surveillance, pesticide and fertilizer spraying, and seeding. Outdoor agricultural drones differ from their indoor counterparts in terms of their larger sizes, greater power, and longer flight times. These features make them ideal for covering vast areas of land and carrying out complex agricultural tasks.

Based on Farm Produce

Cereals and grains will account for largest share

Cereals and grains are expected to dominate the Agricultural Drone market due to their widespread cultivation and economic value. These crops benefit greatly from the use of agricultural drones, which perform tasks such as aerial photography, mapping, crop monitoring, yield estimation, and pest and disease detection. The demand for agricultural drones is further fueled by the increasing adoption of precision agriculture, aiming to enhance crop yields and cost efficiency specifically for cereals and grains.

Based on Range

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) will dominate the market

VLOS agricultural drones are poised to dominate the Agricultural Drone market in the field of agriculture due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and fewer regulatory constraints. VLOS drones are more budget-friendly, simpler to operate, and face fewer regulatory hurdles. As a result, they have become the preferred option for tasks such as aerial photography, mapping, crop monitoring, and the application of pesticides and fertilizers. Overall, VLOS agricultural drones provide a practical and easily accessible solution for a wide range of agricultural applications.

Based on Farm Size

Large Sized Farm will account for largest share in 2022

large-sized farms are expected to dominate the Agricultural Drone market in terms of farm size because these farms possess substantial resources to invest in agricultural drones and also have vast land areas that enable them to make optimal use of drone technology. By utilizing agricultural drones, these farms can perform a wide range of tasks including aerial photography and mapping, crop monitoring, estimating yields, detecting pests and diseases, and applying pesticides and fertilizers. The increasing adoption of precision agriculture is a major factor driving the demand for agricultural drones on large-sized farms. Precision agriculture relies on the data collected by drones to refine crop management strategies, maximize yields, and reduce costs.

Based on Application

Precision farming will lead the market

Precision farming is set to dominate the Agricultural Drone market by application. This approach utilizes sensors and advanced technologies to optimize crop yields and reduce costs, making it a data-driven agricultural approach. In order to achieve precision farming, agricultural drones play a crucial role by collecting important data on crop health, soil conditions, and other factors. One of the main reasons for the adoption of precision farming is its ability to empower farmers to increase crop yields, decrease costs, and improve environmental sustainability.

Based on Region

Asia pacific will lead the market

Asia pacific lead the Agricultural Drone market because with the worlds largest agricultural sector, the region is well-positioned for sustained growth due to population expansion and rising incomes. One significant driver of this leadership is the increasing adoption of precision agriculture practices by farmers in Asia Pacific, which heavily relies on agricultural drones. Governments in the region are actively supporting this trend by offering financial incentives and other forms of motivation.

Competitive Landscape

The Agricultural Drone market is highly competitive with intense activity and innovation. Various players are striving for prominence in this rapidly evolving sector. The market comprises established drone manufacturers as well as emerging startups, creating a dynamic environment. Major players are focused on product development, incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and improved sensors to enhance agricultural drone functions. Partnerships and collaborations between drone manufacturers, technology companies, and agricultural organizations are increasingly common as they aim to leverage combined expertise for comprehensive solutions.

The players in the global Agricultural Drone market include MICRODRONES among others.

Recent Market Developments

• March 2023: By merging Precision Hawk and Field, the US infrastructure and energy sectors are now able to access advanced geospatial data analysis solutions. With a focus on creating a sustainable future and Fields specialized knowledge in digital reality services, the partnership aims to deliver exceptional infrastructure management solutions globally, utilizing the power of Al and machine learning.

Segmentation of the Global Agricultural Drone Market