Crop Harvesting Robots Market By Type (Fruit Harvesting Robots, Vegetable Harvesting Robots, Grain Harvesting Robots, Others (Leafy Greens, Root Crops)); By Technology (Autonomous Robots, Semi-Autonomous Robots, AI and Machine Learning-based Robots, Sensor-integrated Robots); By Application (Indoor Farming (Greenhouses, Vertical Farms), Outdoor Farming (Open-field Farms, Orchards), Precision Farming); By End-User (Large-scale Commercial Farms, Small and Medium-sized Farms, Agricultural Cooperatives, Research and Development Institutes); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024-2032.

The crop harvesting robots market was worth USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and will be worth USD 3.9 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of `16% during the forecast period.

 

The Crop Harvesting Robots market is propelled by both the global growth in food demand and the scarcity of labor in the agriculture industry. Since the population is predicted to be 9.7 billion in 2050, global farming has to expand to feed 60% more people. This has raised a concern and calls for automation of farming processes especially in activities such as harvesting. For instance, in the United States of America and Europe, the lack of human labor, especially during particular seasons, has made farmers use robots to harvest crops such as fruits and vegetables. Recent developments involve artificial intelligence and machine learning whereby robots can easily detect maturity crops and harvest. The firm Abundant Robotics has already developed such systems, which use robots for picking apples that can work 10,000 apples daily. These novelties are solving the problems of workers and the demands for higher agricultural production, thus boosting market expansion.

 

A major opportunity in the Crop Harvesting Robots market lies in the growing demand for precision agriculture and the need to increase crop yields while reducing labor costs. The global agriculture sector faces significant labor shortages, particularly in labor-intensive tasks like harvesting, which accounts for 20-40% of total farming costs. Crop harvesting robots provide an efficient solution, capable of operating 24/7, reducing human error, and optimizing harvest time. For example, robots like those developed by Traptic in strawberry farms can pick strawberries three times faster than human labor while minimizing fruit damage. Recent advancements in AI and sensor technologies allow these robots to accurately differentiate between ripe and unripe fruits. As agriculture increasingly shifts towards automation and precision farming, the use of robotic systems for harvesting presents a substantial opportunity for reducing operational costs and increasing productivity, especially in large-scale farming operations.

 

 

Crop Harvesting Robots Market Segmentation

By Type:

• Fruit Harvesting Robots

• Vegetable Harvesting Robots

• Grain Harvesting Robots

• Others (Leafy Greens, Root Crops)

 

By Technology:

• Autonomous Robots

• Semi-Autonomous Robots

• AI and Machine Learning-based Robots

• Sensor-integrated Robots

 

By Application:

• Indoor Farming (Greenhouses, Vertical Farms)

• Outdoor Farming (Open-field Farms, Orchards)

• Precision Farming

 

By End-User:

• Large-scale Commercial Farms

• Small and Medium-sized Farms

• Agricultural Cooperatives

• Research and Development Institutes

 

By Region

North America

• US

• Mexico

• Canada

• Rest of North America

 

Europe

• Switzerland

• Russia

• France

• Germany

• U.K

• Finland

• Turkey

• Netherlands

• Belgium

• Spain

• Italy

• Rest of Europe

 

 

Asia Pacific

• India

• China

• South Korea

• Japan

• Singapore

• Thailand

• Indonesia

• Malaysia

• Philippines

• Australia

• Rest of Asia-Pacific

 

 

LAMEA

• Brazil

• Argentina

• Uruguay

• Saudi Arabia

• Rest of LAMEA

 

Segment Analysis for the Crop Harvesting Robots Market

By Type:

Leading Segment: Fruit Harvesting Robots

Fruit harvesting robots dominate the market with over 40% market share due to their ability to efficiently handle labor-intensive tasks like harvesting strawberries, apples & citrus fruits. These robots are widely adopted in regions like Europe & North America, where labor shortages are prominent. Abundant Robotics developed an apple-harvesting robot capable of working continuously which reduces operational costs for large orchards. This segment is expected to grow steadily at a CAGR of 8%.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Vegetable Harvesting Robots

The vegetable harvesting robots segment is growing at a CAGR of 11%, driven by increasing demand for automation in greenhouse and vertical farms. Robots designed for harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce are gaining traction due to their precision and ability to work in controlled environments. Panasonic’s tomato-picking robot uses advanced sensors & AI, making it popular in Japan’s indoor farming sector.

 

By Technology:

Leading Segment: AI & Machine Learning-based Robots

AI & machine learning-based robots hold the largest share of the market, accounting for approximately 38%, as they enable intelligent decision-making & adaptive harvesting based on crop conditions. Harvest CROO Robotics integrate AI with computer vision to identify ripe crops which ensures optimal harvesting. These robots are particularly effective in precision farming which contributes to their widespread adoption.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Sensor-integrated Robots

Sensor-integrated robots are the fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 12%, as they enhance efficiency by monitoring soil health, crop maturity & environmental conditions. For instance, robots developed by Agrobot combine advanced sensors with automated harvesting arms, making them ideal for delicate crops like lettuce & strawberries.

 

By Application:

Leading Segment: Outdoor Farming (Open-field Farms, Orchards)

Outdoor farming applications dominate with a 50% market share, as open-field and orchard farming heavily rely on harvesting robots for labor-intensive tasks. Robots like the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester are widely used for large-scale outdoor grain and fruit harvesting, particularly in Europe and North America.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Indoor Farming (Greenhouses, Vertical Farms)

Indoor farming is the fastest-growing application segment, with a CAGR of 13%. The rise of urban farming & the adoption of vertical farming techniques drive the demand for robots that can function in controlled environments. Iron Ox employs AI-powered robots in its vertical farms to ensure precision harvesting of leafy greens.

 

By End-User:

Leading Segment: Large-scale Commercial Farms

Large-scale commercial farms lead the market with a 55% share, as they are early adopters of robotic solutions to address labor shortages & increase productivity. Companies like John Deere cater specifically to this segment with advanced robotic combine harvesters designed for high-volume operations.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Agricultural Cooperatives

Agricultural cooperatives are the fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 10%, as they pool resources to invest in high-cost robotic solutions. In regions like Asia Pacific, cooperatives are increasingly deploying harvesting robots to improve productivity & meet rising demand. Agricultural cooperatives in India are using semi-autonomous grain harvesters to address seasonal labor shortages.

 

By Region:

Leading Region: North America

North America dominates the crop harvesting robot market with a 40% share, driven by the high adoption of automation technologies in the U.S. & Canada. The region benefits from strong investment in agricultural robotics & advanced technologies. Blue River Technology, a U.S.-based company, has developed robots with AI capabilities that have been widely adopted in precision farming.

Fastest-Growing Region: Asia Pacific

APAC is the fastest-growing region, with a CAGR of 14%, due to increasing demand for automation in agriculture to address labor shortages & improve productivity. Countries like Japan & China are leading this growth, with significant investments in robotic solutions for indoor & outdoor farming. Kubota Corporation in Japan has developed robots for grain & vegetable harvesting, enhancing operational efficiency in the region.

 

Crop Harvesting Robots Market Key Players 

• John Deere

• Agrobot

• Harvest CROO Robotics

• FFRobotics

• Abundant Robotics (Note: The company has ceased operations.)

• Octinion

• Traptic (Note: Traptic was acquired by Bowery Farming in 2022.)

• Vision Robotics Corporation

• Dogtooth Technologies

• Naio Technologies

• Root AI (Note: Root AI was acquired by AppHarvest.)

 

Crop Harvesting Robots Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2023 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2023	USD 1.2 billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 3.9 billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 16%
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2023 – 2030)
Segmentation	By Type, By Crop Type, By Region
By Type	Fruit Harvesting Robots, Vegetable Harvesting Robots, Grain Harvesting Robots
By Crop Type	Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Others
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, LAMEA
Country Scope	US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, France, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, etc.
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.