U.S. Agriculture Drone Market (By Type: Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing; By Component: Hardware, Software, Services; By Farming Environment; By Application) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2023-2032

The U.S. agriculture drone market size was estimated at around USD 0.38 billion in 2022 and it is projected to hit around USD 2.97 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 22.83% from 2023 to 2032.

Key Pointers

• Based on type, the market is divided into fixed-wing and rotary-wing. The rotary wing segment dominated the overall market, gaining a revenue share of 63% in 2022. 
• The fixed-wing segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 24.05% throughout the forecast period. 
• The hardware segment dominated the U.S. agriculture drone market in 2022, with a revenue share of 51%. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.23% throughout the forecast period. 
• The services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 23.84% during the forecast period.
• The outdoor farming segment dominated the overall market with a revenue share of 83% in 2022. It is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 22.64% throughout the forecast period. 
• The indoor farming segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 23.84% during the forecast period. 
• The crop management segment held the maximum share of 25% in 2022. 
• The field mapping segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 24.16% throughout the forecast period.

Report Scope of the U.S. Agriculture Drone Market

The adoption of agriculture drones in the U.S. has witnessed significant growth, driven by their potential benefits and the need for efficient farm management. With vast farmland areas in the country, traditional crop monitoring and management methods can require considerable time and effort. Agriculture drones offer comprehensive monitoring capabilities, providing an aerial perspective that enables farmers to identify issues and allocate resources effectively. By covering large areas efficiently, drones save time and effort, enhancing productivity in the agricultural sector.

Government initiatives have played a crucial role in fostering the growth of the agricultural drone market in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) offer grants and funding opportunities to advance the use of drones in farming practices. This support encourages innovation, helps farmers access necessary resources, and facilitates the integration of UAVs into agricultural operations.

Technological advancements in hardware, sensors, and data analysis have significantly influenced the adoption of agriculture drones in the U.S. These advancements have made drones more capable and valuable for farmers, empowering them with precise and timely information to optimize farming practices, improve efficiency, and increase productivity. Integrating drones with farm management systems further enhances their value, enabling seamless data integration and analysis for informed decision-making.

Type Insights

Based on type, the market is divided into fixed-wing and rotary-wing. The rotary wing segment dominated the overall market, gaining a revenue share of 63% in 2022. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.0% throughout the forecast period. The unique features of rotary wing drones such as their ability to hover, climb, descend, and maneuver in any direction, have increased their market share. Unlike fixed-wing drones, which require a forward motion for lift, rotary-blade drones may move quickly and precisely by altering the speed and rotation of their propellers. Because of their maneuverability, they are well-suited for activities that require close control and agility.

The fixed-wing segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 24.05% throughout the forecast period. Because of their aerodynamic shape, fixed-wing drones can fly for longer durations and cover larger areas in a single flight. This flight efficiency allows them to preserve power and stay in the air for longer, resulting in enhanced output and cost-effectiveness.

Component Insights

Based on component, the market is divided into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment dominated the U.S. agriculture drone market in 2022, with a revenue share of 51%. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.23% throughout the forecast period. Hardware for the agriculture drone industry includes frames, flight control systems, navigation systems, propulsion systems, cameras, sensors, and others.

The functionality of agriculture drones and their performance capabilities are directly influenced by their hardware components, including the airframe design, propulsion system, and payload capacity. These components ensure a stable flight, maneuverability, and efficient data collection, ultimately enhancing the drone's effectiveness in crop health monitoring and early pest or disease identification.

The services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 23.84% during the forecast period. This is due to the increased need for data analysis and interpretation, improved mapping and surveying services, and crop monitoring and management services. These specialized services assist farmers in making informed decisions, increasing productivity, and optimizing resource utilization, boosting market growth in the services segment.

Farming Environment Insights

Based on farming environment, the market is classified into indoor farming and outdoor farming. The outdoor farming segment dominated the overall market with a revenue share of 83% in 2022. It is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 22.64% throughout the forecast period. Agriculture UAVs with high-resolution cameras and remote sensing technologies provide valuable monitoring capabilities for large farmland areas in outdoor farming practices.

They enable early detection of crop stress, disease outbreaks, and nutrient deficiencies, empowering farmers to take proactive measures and optimize crop health. Additionally, UAVs with spraying mechanisms offer a more efficient and accurate alternative to traditional pesticide and fertilizer application methods, enhancing worker safety and improving pest and disease control.

The indoor farming segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 23.84% during the forecast period. Agricultural drones play a significant role in inventory management for indoor farming operations by scanning and tracking plant growth, providing accurate counts, and generating reports on crop yields. This enables farmers to make informed decisions about space utilization, optimize resource allocation, and plan for future crop rotations, ultimately maximizing productivity and profitability in indoor farming.

Application Insights

Based on application, the market is divided into crop management, field mapping, crop spraying, livestock monitoring, variable rate application (VRA), and others. The crop management segment held the maximum share of 25% in 2022. Crop management holds the highest market share due to its ability to optimize crop production by using agriculture UAVs. By utilizing advanced drone technology, farmers can monitor crop health, detect issues early on, and implement targeted management strategies, resulting in improved yields, reduced waste, and increased productivity.

The field mapping segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 24.16% throughout the forecast period. Providing farmers with detailed and accurate information about their fields enables them to make informed decisions regarding crop management, resource allocation, and overall field planning. The use of aerial imaging techniques, such as high-resolution aerial photographs and remote sensing technologies, allows farmers to obtain valuable insights into crop health, identify areas of concern, and develop targeted strategies for addressing challenges.

U.S. Agriculture Drone Market Segmentations:

By Type 

• Fixed Wing
• Rotary Wing

By Component 

• Hardware
• Frames
• Flight Control Systems
• Navigation Systems
• Propulsion Systems
• Cameras
• Sensors
• Others
• Software
• Services
• Professional Services
• Managed Services

By Environment 

• Indoor Farming
• Outdoor Farming

By Application 

• Crop Management
• Field Mapping
• Crop Spraying
• Livestock Monitoring
• Variable Rate Application (VRA)
• Others