Agriculture Drone Market

Agriculture Drone Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

Worldwide revenue from the agriculture drone market is estimated at US$ 4.98 billion in 2024 and is evaluated to increase at a CAGR of 14.1% to reach US$ 18.64 billion by the end of 2034.

Drones are revolutionizing both agriculture and agricultural culture. Drone technology may be used in agriculture and the farm industry to increase crop output, make quicker decisions about land management, and increase long-term profitability. The agriculture industry is undergoing rapid transition due to drone technological advancements and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, which are making drone farming more commonplace.

• According to Worldometer, by 2050, there will be over 9 billion people on the planet, which will lead to a 70% rise in the consumption of agricultural goods by then.

Erratic weather patterns and natural calamities are projected to affect food production to a great extent. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are utilized in horticulture, forestry, smart greenhouses, precision fish farming, animal farming, and precision farming in agriculture. These UAVs are known as agriculture drones.

In agriculture, drones can serve as an inexpensive aerial camera platform with sensors and GPS for data collection on autopilot. For visible photos, they are comparable to a standard point-and-shoot camera. They also fulfill the same purposes as a standard camera, such as giving some data on plant development, coverage, and other related topics.

Government support for using drone technology in agriculture is gaining traction. To encourage the use of drones in farming operations and spur market expansion, several initiatives and programs have been launched, and players are adapting themselves to these new agriculture drone market trends.

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States Department of Transportation announced an investment of US$ 4.4 million in April 2022 to seven colleges for drone training, teaching, and research.

Report Attribute	Detail
Agriculture Drone Market Size (2024E)	US$ 4.98 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 18.64 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14.1% CAGR
Canada Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14.1% CAGR
China Market Value (2034F)	US$ 2.16 Billion
North America Market Share (2024E)	28.7%
East Asia Market Share (2034F)	23.6%
Key Companies Profiled	3D Robotics; AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc; Asteria Aerospace; ATMOS UAV; Autel Robotics; Ayaan Autonomous Systems Pvt. Ltd.; Delair SAS; DJI; Draganfly Innovations; General Aeronautics; General Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd.; Guangdong Syma Model Aircraft Industrial Co. Ltd.; Hubblefly Technologies Pvt. Ltd.; IIO Technologies.

What are the Opportunities Ahead for Manufacturers of Agriculture Drones?

“Growing Use of Drones to Obtain Information about Crop Output”

The market for agriculture drones has benefited from the expanding possibilities for drone applications. Drone technology is currently being adopted by forestry and agriculture for their critical needs. Such things are genuinely beyond the capability of humans but are made feasible by the agility and mobility of drones. Drones are being employed increasingly often and placed in strategic areas due to the expanding agricultural sector and the rapid advancements in science and technology. Drones used in forestry and agriculture have made it easier for farmers to gather crucial information for making informed decisions about crop output, which in turn helps to boost profitability.

Farmers may now obtain information about current issues by using the data that these drones provide, eliminating the need for them to physically examine their crops in the fields. Use of IoT-based drones is gaining traction worldwide.

“Focus on Innovations to Ensure Fast Charging of Drone Batteries”

In agriculture, drones must operate for extended periods to cover vast farm areas, often leading to battery issues for farmers. The primary challenges include short battery life and lengthy recharging times.

Farmers expect fast-charging technologies to address these problems, as current drone batteries typically last only 30 to 35 minutes in the air and require 60 to 90 minutes to recharge. This limitation forces farmers to spend more time charging drones and to purchase extra batteries, which can be costly. However, recent advancements, such as StoreDot's innovation in ultra-fast drone battery charging, have garnered significant attention and are contributing to agriculture drone market growth.

“Agriculture Drones Facilitating Precision Farming with Accurate Data Processing”

Drone software facilitates interactions between the user and the aircraft, as well as between the aircraft and its hardware components. Choosing the wrong software platform for a drone can result in costly switching expenses if changes are needed later, similar to the situation with smartphones and tablets. The software offers a versatile set of tools for drone developers, enabling them to share technology and create customized drone application solutions. Precision farming depends significantly on field surveying and the accurate processing of data collected by drones.

What is Impeding the Sales Growth of Agriculture Drones?

“Data Overload and Accuracy Challenges in Agricultural Drone Usage”

When an individual or organization is inundated with more data than it can efficiently manage, it is known as data overload. This is a common issue in farming with drones, as these devices can gather extensive data on crop health, soil moisture content, and more. Farmers often struggle to interpret or wisely apply the wealth of information collected by drones, complicating decision-making. This is particularly challenging for small farmers who lack the tools or expertise to handle and analyze large volumes of data.

Errors in the data collected by drones pose another obstacle to industry growth. These inaccuracies can arise from various sources, including weather conditions, climatic factors, software or hardware malfunctions, and human error. Environmental conditions are a major contributor to data collection errors; for instance, strong winds or rain can cause a drone to deviate from its course, resulting in inaccurate and incomplete data. Similarly, variations in lighting can affect the quality of photographic data captured by drones. These issues significantly impede the expansion of the agriculture drone market size.

Country-wise Insights

The market in South Korea is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2024 to 2034. The country is calculated to occupy an agriculture drone market share of 25.9% in Easy Asia by the end of 2034.

Why is the United States a Lucrative Market for Agriculture Drone Manufacturers?

“Adoption of Advanced Technologies by Farmers to Monitor Agricultural Output”’

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 1.17 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 4.34 billion

Over the past several years, technological advancements have significantly boosted farming productivity within the agricultural sector in the United States. A key innovation contributing to this progress is the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is now widely utilized in agricultural operations in the United States due to advanced hardware and software. The successful development of miniature, autonomous, unmanned rotorcraft can be credited to advancements in component sizes, sensors, and technology.

Which Trends are Influencing Drone Adoption among Farmers in China?

“Adoption of Unnamed Aerial Vehicles to Ensure Crop Protection”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 583.3 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 2.16 Billion

Use of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, for crop protection in China has been increasing at a significant pace in recent years. This is a key agriculture drone market trend that manufacturers are leveraging in the country.

• According to the National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Center (NATESC), there were only 4,000 crop protection drones in China in 2016. By 2021, over 120,000 drones were being used to spray pesticides over 71.3 million hectares of farmland, with 200,000 agricultural pilots in operation.

China is home to leading manufacturers such as XAG and DJI, which together hold approximately 80% of the market share in the country. DJI has focused on developing camera drones, while XAG has specialized in agricultural drones, accelerating technological advancements in their respective fields. These factors have driven significant market growth for agricultural drones in China.

Category-wise Insights

Based on coverage distance, the below 3km segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2024 to 2034.

What is Driving Preference for Rotary Wing Drones among Farmers?

“Rotary Wing Design Facilitating Maneuverability in Confined Spaces”

Attribute	Rotary Wing
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 2.87 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14.1% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 10.75 Billion

The rotary wing configuration of drones provides multiple advantages, such as vertical take-off and landing capabilities, maneuverability in confined spaces, and the ability to hover stationary in the air. This design enhances control and stability, rendering it well-suited for diverse applications such as aerial photography, surveillance, and agriculture.

Which Coverage Distance is Considered Ideal by End Users?

“Cost Efficiency of Drones with 3 to 6 Km of Coverage”

Attribute	3 to 6 Km
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 1.86 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	14.1% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 6.97 Billion

Farmers typically favor drones with a coverage capacity of 3 to 6 km, as this range meets their needs without requiring investment in high-coverage drones. The market for drones within this 3 to 6 km range is expected to receive a positive response from customers, indicating profitability.

Business Rivalry

Key players in the agriculture drone market are focusing on adopting various marketing strategies like reduced price points on manufactured products, partnerships with retailers, launch of endorsement programs, and use of new technologies such as fixed-wing drones, agriculture drone services, and autonomous drones.

• In January 2022, Pininfarina Shanghai's EA-30X, a professional agricultural spraying drone capable of covering all terrains, all hours, and all plant protection application scenarios, was introduced by Eavision. The latest iteration of the EA-30X dual-eye environment sensing technology provides complete coverage of terrain below 90 degrees, dynamic continuous obstacle avoidance, and next-generation night autonomous operation.

Fact.MR provides detailed information about the price points of key agriculture drone manufacturers positioned across the world, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in this updated market report.

Key Segments of Agriculture Drone Market Research

• By Offering :

  • Fixed Wing
  • Rotary Wing
  • Hybrid Wing

• By End User :

  • Consumer/Civil
  • Commercial

• By Coverage Distance :

  • Below 3 km
  • 3 to 6 km
  • 6 to 9 km
  • Above 9 km

• By Application :

  • Precision Agriculture
  • Livestock Monitoring
  • Surveying & Mapping
  • Irrigation
  • Precision Fish Farming
  • Fertilization & Spraying
  • Aerial Imaging

• By Payload Capacity :

  • Below 5 kg
  • 5 to 10 kg
  • 10 to 15 kg
  • 15 to 20 kg
  • Above 20 kg

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Eastern Europe
  • Western Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa