Agricultural Robots Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Milking, Planting & Seeding Management), By Type (Driverless Tractors, UAVs), By Offering (Software, Hardware), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global agricultural robots market size was estimated at USD 11.57 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6% from 2023 to 2030. The market is poised for remarkable growth, driven by the persistent need for efficient farm management and the increasing global population. As per United Nations projections, the global population is anticipated to grow to 8.6 billion by 2030 and 9.8 billion by 2050. This demographic trend will significantly pressure traditional food production methods to ensure food security. Agricultural robots and drones are emerging as game-changers, offering precision and optimization capabilities that significantly enhance farming practices. Further, the growing population and migration of young individuals from rural to urban areas has resulted in fewer available farm laborers. To overcome this, agricultural robots are adopted to fill the labor gap by automating tasks and reducing the dependency on manual labor. As the need for cost-effective and efficient labor solutions intensifies, the agricultural robots industry is poised to expand significantly.

Agricultural robots, equipped with advanced sensors and AI-driven algorithms, are revolutionizing planting, harvesting, and monitoring crop health. These machines reduce labor costs, minimize resource wastage, and increase yield through precise management. On the other hand, drones provide farmers with real-time aerial views of their fields, allowing for early detection of issues like pests, diseases, or irrigation problems. With the ability to cover vast areas quickly, drones enable farmers to take proactive measures, resulting in higher crop yields. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for efficient and sustainable agriculture will intensify, making agricultural robots and drones indispensable tools for modern farming operations. Their ability to optimize farm management, reduce environmental impact, and boost productivity positions them at the forefront of agricultural innovation, driving substantial growth in this sector.

One notable growth driver is the increasing adoption of agriculture-based software accessible through smartphones. This digital transformation empowers farmers with real-time data and analytics, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about crop management, resource allocation, and overall farm optimization. The ease of use and accessibility of smartphone-based agricultural apps such as Cropin, Kisan Suvidha, Pusa Krishi, and Panorama are revolutionizing the industry by providing farmers, even in remote areas, with powerful tools to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.

The adoption of agricultural robots can also contribute to the sustainability of farming practices. These robots are adaptable and can be used in both small-scale and large-scale farming operations, which allows farmers to expand their production capabilities to keep up with the demands of a larger population. For instance, Thorvald, a multi-functional, modular, & autonomous robot developed by Saga Robotics AS, can perform various operations such as precision spraying, livestock handling, UV-C light treatment, phenotyping, picking fruits & vegetables, in-field transportation, and cutting grass for forage, among others. This flexibility allows for cost-effective scalability for farmers of all sizes with diverse needs for their farms.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a notable impact on the agricultural robots market, bringing both challenges and opportunities to the forefront of this industry. Initially, the market experienced disruptions in supply chains, causing delays in the production and deployment of agricultural robots. This was primarily due to global lockdowns, which affected robotics companies' manufacturing facilities and logistics operations. However, as the pandemic progressed, the importance of automation in agriculture became increasingly evident.

On the other hand, the pandemic brought about a labor shortage in agriculture due to travel restrictions and safety concerns, emphasizing the necessity for agricultural robots. Farmers facing difficulties in sourcing labor for critical tasks like planting and harvesting turned to automation as a solution to ensure food production continuity. This shift in perspective drove increased demand for agricultural robots, accelerating their adoption. Moreover, the pandemic underscored the importance of food security, prompting governments and investors to allocate resources to innovative farming technologies, including agricultural robotics.

As a result, the market witnessed a resurgence, with many businesses focusing on research and development to meet the surging demand for automation in agriculture. In essence, while the COVID-19 pandemic initially posed challenges, it ultimately acted as a catalyst for the growth of the market for agricultural robots, emphasizing the pivotal role of automation in ensuring food supply chain resilience.

Application Insights

Based on application, the market is segmented into planting & seeding management, spraying management, milking, monitoring & surveillance, harvest management, livestock monitoring, and others. The planting and seeding management application segment is anticipated to portray the highest CAGR of 23.6% over the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to several key factors, such as technological advancements, which have played a crucial role in driving this growth. Agricultural robots have become more capable and efficient with the continuous development of robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation technologies.

These advancements have increased the adoption and demand for such robots in farming operations. Environmental concerns are another factor contributing to the growth of the agricultural robot market. There is a growing awareness of the need for sustainable farming practices and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. Agricultural robots can help achieve these goals by enabling precise application of inputs, reducing chemical usage, and minimizing soil compaction. By adopting robotic planting and seeding systems, farmers can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices.

The milking application segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 30.0% in 2022. This automatic milking machine helps increase the milk yield and reduces workforce costs. Milking robots are designed to provide a comfortable and stress-free milking experience for cows. They use sensors and cameras to detect the presence of milking animals, clean their udders, attach the equipment, and monitor the milking process. This reduces the need for physical contact with the cows and helps minimize stress and discomfort during milking. Additionally, agricultural robots can detect and address any health issues or abnormalities in the milk, promoting better cow welfare. This automatic milking machine would help increase the milk yield and reduce workforce costs.

Offering Insights

Based on offering, the market is divided into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment held the largest revenue share of 54.8% in 2022. The hardware segment plays a pivotal role in the agricultural robots industry, serving as the backbone of these advanced farming solutions. It encompasses the physical components and machinery such as motors, and batteries that enable robots to perform various tasks in agricultural settings.

Another factor contributing to the dominance of the hardware segment is the capital-intensive nature of agriculture robot components. Developing and manufacturing high-quality hardware requires substantial investments in research, development, and production. The hardware components are often complex and require advanced engineering expertise, precision manufacturing processes, and rigorous quality control measures. Consequently, established players such as CLAAS KGaA mbH, and GEA Group with the financial resources and technical capabilities to invest in hardware development have a competitive advantage, leading to the dominance of the segment.

The software segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 26.5% over the forecast period. One of the primary drivers contributing to the rapid growth of the software segment is the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies. These technologies have revolutionized the capabilities of agriculture robots, allowing them to analyze vast amounts of data, make real-time decisions, and adapt to changing conditions. Software algorithms enable robots to identify and classify crops, detect diseases and pests, optimize irrigation and fertilization, and even predict crop yields. The integration of AI and ML in agriculture robots has led to increased productivity, resource efficiency, and cost savings, driving the rapid growth of the software segment.

Type Insights

Based on type, the industry is segmented into driverless tractors, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), dairy robots, and material management. The dairy robots segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 38.3% in 2022. One key factor driving this trend is the increasing number of dairy farmers worldwide. As the demand for dairy products continues to rise globally, more farmers are entering the dairy industry to meet this growing consumer need. However, this surge in dairy farming has also brought challenges, such as the need for efficient and labor-saving solutions. For instance, in 2021, as per the data published by the International Dairy Federation (IDF), the global dairy sector comprises approximately 133 million dairy farms. Furthermore, the international dairy industry witnesses the annual trade of approximately 9% of global milk production.

These robots are designed to automate various aspects of dairy farming, including milking, feeding, and health monitoring of milking animals. This automation not only reduces labor costs but also ensures consistent and high-quality milk production. The ease of use and effectiveness of dairy robots have made them particularly attractive to both established and new dairy farmers. As a result, the dairy robot segment has witnessed remarkable growth, capturing a substantial market share within the agricultural robotics industry. With the global dairy sector poised for continued expansion, dairy robots are expected to maintain their dominating position.

The UAVs segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of over 22.0 % over the forecast period. The increasing demand for UAVs is driven by the need for precision agriculture, efficient pest management, and optimized crop spraying. These aerial robots equipped with advanced sensors and imaging capabilities enable farmers to monitor crop health, detect diseases, and assess yield potential, leading to timely action and resource optimization. Additionally, UAVs offer precise pest and weed management, reducing the use of harmful chemicals and promoting sustainable practices. For instance, industry experts revealed that roughly 385 million individuals, with a notable concentration within the farming and agricultural labor force, encounter pesticide-related poisoning on an annual basis, resulting in 11,000 fatalities per year.

It's noteworthy that among these tragic incidents, India bears the brunt, accounting for nearly 60% of the annual death toll, which amounts to approximately 6,600 deaths each year. The ability to navigate challenging terrains and operate in adverse conditions makes UAVs an ideal solution for crop spraying, especially during resource constraints. Overall, the adoption of UAVs in agriculture is revolutionizing the industry, providing farmers with greater efficiency, improved yields, and a sustainable approach to farming.

Regional Insights

North America held a significant share of around 36.2% in 2022 and has become one of the most influential markets. One significant factor is the vast expanse of farmland in the region. For instance, as per the data published by the United States Agriculture Department in February 2022, the typical farm size for 2021 measured at 445 acres, marking a slight increase from the previous year's figure of 444 acres. North America boasts some of the world’s largest average farmland sizes, which can make manual management and monitoring a highly challenging and resource-intensive task. To address this challenge, North American farmers have been quick to embrace agricultural robots and automation technologies, seeking efficiency gains and improved crop yields.

Moreover, the region benefits from a high level of access to advanced agricultural technologies. North America has a robust ecosystem of tech companies, research institutions, and innovation hubs focused on agriculture. This favorable environment fosters the development and adoption of cutting-edge agricultural robotics solutions. Additionally, a strong commitment to sustainable and precision farming practices in North America has driven the demand for precision agriculture tools like autonomous tractors, drones, and robotic harvesters. As a result, North America continues to lead the market in terms of revenue, with its blend of extensive farmland and access to advanced technology driving substantial growth in the sector.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to achieve the fastest CAGR of 21.2% during the forecast period. Technological advancements and innovation in countries like Japan, India, and China have led to the development of advanced robotics solutions for the agriculture sector. With a growing population and increasing food security concerns, the need for efficient farming practices is paramount. Agriculture robots offer a solution by automating labor-intensive tasks and improving crop yields. Additionally, labor shortages and rising wages in the region make robotics an attractive investment for farmers. Strong government support and a diverse agricultural landscape further contribute to the region's potential for agriculture robot growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The major companies adopt strategies such as partnerships and collaborations to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in April 2023, GEA, an agricultural solution provider, extended its partnership with Kerbl, a livestock farming product supplier. The partnership will help the company expand its footprint in new countries with its GEA Exclusive Program. Some prominent players in the global agricultural robots include:

• AGCO Corporation

• Autonomous Solutions, Inc.

• BouMatic

• CNH Industrial N.V.

• CLAAS KGaA mbH

• GEA Group

• Harvest Automation, Inc.

• Trimble, Inc.

Agricultural Robots Market Report Scope

Global Agricultural Robots Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growths at global, regional, and country levels and offers qualitative and quantitative analysis of the industry trends for each of the segment and sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global agricultural robots market report based on application, type, offering, and region:

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Planting & Seeding Management

  • Spraying Management

  • Milking

  • Monitoring & Surveillance

  • Harvest Management

  • Livestock Monitoring

  • Others

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Driverless Tractors

  • UAVs

  • Dairy Robots

  • Material Management

• Offering Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Hardware

  • Software

  • Service

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa