Market Trends of US Vertical Farming Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the US Vertical Farming Market according to our research experts:
Hydroponics Dominates the Market
The United States is one of North America's largest markets for hydroponic systems, given the rising popularity of greenhouse horticulture and agriculture in the country. North America accounts for about 35% of the vertical farming market, and according to Agri Farming, more than 2,300 farms are growing hydroponics crops in the United States. The future growth of the hydroponics market in the country mainly depends upon the development of production systems that are competitive in cost with open-field agriculture.
Cultivating crops using hydroponics is also seen as a resort during extreme weather conditions. For instance, in the past, grocery stores have turned toward hydroponic farmers to meet their demands during harsh weather conditions. In addition to adverse climatic conditions, the increasing demand for organic produce is expected to boost the segment's growth. For instance, according to the Organic Trade Association, in 2021, organic food sales in the United States amounted to about 57.5 billion USD, which was 50.07 billion USD in 2019. Increased demand for greenhouse tomatoes and the legalization of medicinal plants, like marijuana, is expected to help further the market register rapid growth in the country. Rooftop hydroponic gardens in urban setups are also helping the market grow further.
Growing demand for organic fruits and vegetables
The desire and demand for organic fruits and vegetables in the United States have emerged as a response to a shift toward synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. For instance, according to the Organic Trade Association, the United States organic food sales accounted for approximately 57.5 billion USD in 2021 from 50.07 billion USD in 2019. Tomato is one of the country's primary crops grown through vertical farming systems. Hydroponic techniques have proven to be commercially successful for propagation, seed germination, and the production of tomatoes. Producers in the country have recognized this as an opportunity, thereby increasing the production of fruits and vegetables through vertical farming.
In addition to vegetables, the year-round availability of strawberries is being made possible through integrated agricultural production systems. According to the US Department of Agriculture, in 2021, around 1.34 million tons of strawberries were produced in the United States, which increased from 1.14 million tons in 2019. In order to keep up with the market demand, many farmers in the country have started growing strawberries through hydroponics. Additionally, vertical farms produce 5.45 pounds of lettuce per square foot on average. Based on the factors mentioned above, vertical farming is expected to play a critical role in producing fruits and vegetables in the country.
