Market Trends of Agricultural Sprayers Industry
The Orchard Sprayers Segment Holds a Significant Share in the Market
The demand for orchard sprayers has increased in recent years due to the increase in crop acreage. For instance, as per FAO, the total fruit harvested area across the world was 67.3 million hectares in 2021, which increased to 67.5 million hectares in 2022. In addition, various research studies have been undertaken in developing countries on the use of orchard sprayers, which is anticipated to boost demand in developing countries. The increasing market for crop protection production has eventually increased the demand for sprayers.
Furthermore, the continuous incidence of pests and diseases in large farm holdings has necessitated the demand for orchard sprayers as crop pests and diseases (CPDs) are emerging threats to global food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, up to 40% of global crop production is lost to plant pests and diseases. The efforts to control pests and diseases are the major factors driving the segment, as these products are highly suitable for medium to large crop holdings, which constitute a major part of the total crop production.
Moreover, players across the world are taking initiatives that are anticipated to support the segment's growth. For instance, in February 2024, John Deere and GUSS Automation unveiled the Electric GUSS, the world's first fully electric autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer. This innovative machine allows growers to control multiple sprayers remotely and features a sport spraying weed detection system that reduces herbicide use and increases sustainability. Electric gas is a significant development in precision agriculture.
North America is Expected to Grow in the Market
Large-scale farming operations, a decline in labor, and rising mechanization in the region’s agriculture sector are the major factors driving the sales of agricultural sprayers in the countries of the region. Furthermore, the expanding farm sizes in the countries of the region are one of the factors that are likely to fuel the growth of the North American agricultural sprayer market during the forecast period. For instance, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average farm size in the United States was 463 acres in 2022, which increased to 464 acres in 2023.
There is a rising concept of incorporating hi-tech machinery into agriculture to reduce the reliance on manual labor, as they also aid in increasing efficiency, product yield, and quality. As this trend is on the rise, manufacturers are keen to launch such smart sprayers into the market. For instance, in February 2024, John Deere, an agricultural machinery company based in North America, launched a wide range of agriculture equipment at the Commodity Classic trade show, including Autonomy-ready high-horsepower 9RX series tractors, C-Series air carts, and sprayers with weed-sensing technology.
Similarly, many renowned players in the North American agricultural sprayers market are continuously involved in strategic operations like product launches, partnerships, and acquisitions, which are expected to boost the market. For instance, in September 2022, GUSS Automation in the United States launched the first autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer, Herbicide GUSS, available at select John Deere dealers to eliminate exposure to the sprayed chemical.
Moreover, farm robotics and the adoption of new technologies are becoming increasingly popular in North American agricultural lands. The demand for production capacity is increasing directly with farm consolidation. Farms are seeking sprayers with higher capacities, as they help save the time spent on refilling the tanks, which supports the growth of the studied market.
