Hydroponics Market

Hydroponics Market Size and Share:

The global hydroponics market size was valued at USD 14.73 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 33.12 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.30% from 2025-2033. North America currently dominates the market, due to increasing water scarcity concerns, the rising trend toward urban living, the growing concerns about the environmental impact of traditional agriculture, and the supportive government policies are some of the factors propelling the market.

One major driver in the hydroponics market is the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices. As traditional farming faces challenges such as land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, hydroponics offers a more efficient and resource-conserving alternative. By using less water and no soil, hydroponic systems allow for food production in urban areas or regions with limited arable land. This approach not only conserves resources but also supports the growing need for locally sourced, fresh produce, which is increasingly valued by consumers for its environmental and health benefits.

The U.S. hydroponics market is witnessing significant growth mainly driven by increasing demand for sustainable farming and locally grown produce. Urbanization, limited arable land, and water scarcity are encouraging adoption of hydroponic systems, especially in metropolitan areas. The U.S. government’s support through grants and subsidies for sustainable agriculture further bolsters market expansion. Additionally, consumers' growing preference for fresh, pesticide-free, and organic produce is pushing retailers to embrace hydroponics. Technological advancements, including automation and AI-driven systems, are enhancing efficiency, making hydroponics a viable solution for large-scale, year-round farming in the country.

Hydroponics Market Trends:

Increasing Food Shortage

The intensifying global food shortage crisis is catalyzing the market. According to the UN, by 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion, increasing food demand by 70%. As the population of the world increases, conventional agriculture on soil alone cannot fulfill the increasing demands for food. Climate change-induced extreme weather events and water scarcity have further exacerbated this issue. Urbanization and subsequent arable land degradation have further increased the problems. These systems allow for highly efficient and year-round crop production, making them a compelling choice for bolstering food supply. Hydroponics can have a higher yield by cultivating crops in controlled, indoor conditions, without using soil compared to the conventional mode of farming. Further, hydroponics is versatile in urban setups and therefore encourages localized food production. That reduces reliance on distant locations for the supply of fresh produce; this not only decreases carbon emissions but also increases food security. The inherent resource efficiency with reduced water usage and minimal reliance on chemical inputs aligns perfectly with sustainability goals and pressure on strained natural resources. Hydroponics is an innovative force in modern agriculture that has helped to increase the resilience, sustainability, and bounty of the food supply. As a result, hydroponics' market growth and adoption have increased rapidly worldwide in this age of growing food insecurity.

Reducing Arable Land Area

The diminishing availability of arable land is propelling the market growth. Across the globe, urbanization, land degradation, and competing land-use demands have severely limited the amount of land suitable for traditional soil-based agriculture. The FAO states that annually, 12 million hectares of land are degraded. This is equivalent to 23 hectares per minute. As this trend continues, finding innovative agricultural methods that can efficiently use limited space becomes increasingly imperative, and hydroponics emerges as a solution. It eliminates the necessity for vast expanses of arable land, allowing crops to flourish without soil. Plants grow instead in nutrient-rich water solutions, either in vertically stacked systems or in controlled indoor environments. This vertical and soilless approach enables cultivation in urban settings, such as vertical farms and rooftop gardens, making space most available. Furthermore, it provides a means to reclaim non-arable or contaminated land for agricultural purposes. The requirement for fertile soil is avoided by hydroponic systems that can be set up almost anywhere, including former industrial sites or areas of concern due to pollution. This opens the door to sustainable and efficient food production in a world with scarce land resources and an ever-increasing population. Hydroponics ensures food security because of the pressure on arable land, which continues to rise. It helps in conserving vital natural habitats, underpinning its substantial growth in the modern agricultural landscape.

Development of Efficient Indoor and Outdoor Hydroponic Gardening Methods

The development of efficient indoor and outdoor hydroponic gardening methods is expected to offer numerous opportunities for the market. These innovative cultivation techniques have unleashed the potential of hydroponics, making it an attractive and feasible choice for a diverse range of growers, from urban enthusiasts to large-scale commercial operations. Efficient indoor hydroponic systems have revolutionized the way crops are grown. Hydroponic systems can reduce water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional farming. Advanced setups employ technologies such as LED grow lights, automated nutrient delivery, and precise environmental control to create optimal conditions for plant growth. This enables year-round cultivation and the ability to tailor environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, and light intensity to specific crop requirements. As a result, indoor hydroponics have become a staple in urban farming, enabling fresh produce to be grown locally and sustainably, reducing food miles and associated carbon emissions. These methods, such as vertical farming and greenhouse cultivation, have extended hydroponics' reach. These systems maximize land use while protecting from adverse weather conditions. They are especially valuable in areas where there is scarce arable land or challenging climates. Outdoor hydroponics addresses concerns over food security by optimizing resource use and crop yields while lessening the pressure on traditional agriculture.

Hydroponics Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global hydroponics market, along with forecast at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on type, crop type, and equipment.

Analysis by Type:

• Aggregate Hydroponic System
  • Closed System
  • Open System
• Liquid Hydroponic System

Aggregate Hydroponic System stands as the largest component in 2024, as these system, which uses an inert medium like gravel, perlite, or clay pellets to support plant roots, is favored for its cost-effectiveness and ability to retain nutrients and moisture. It is highly popular in large-scale commercial farming due to its scalability and ease of use. The growing demand for high-yield, resource-efficient farming solutions drives the adoption of aggregate systems, as they provide stability and are adaptable to a wide range of crops. Additionally, their relatively low maintenance and higher crop productivity make them an attractive option for both beginners and experienced growers, solidifying their market leadership in 2024.

Analysis by Crop Type:

• Tomato
• Lettuce and Leafy Vegetables
• Pepper
• Cucumber
• Microgreens
• Others

Tomato leads the market due to the high demand for fresh, locally grown tomatoes in both domestic and commercial sectors. Hydroponic systems are ideal for tomato cultivation, offering faster growth, higher yields, and the ability to grow year-round in controlled environments. Additionally, tomatoes are versatile in culinary applications, making them a staple crop for both consumers and businesses. The growing preference for pesticide-free, organic produce further boosts the popularity of hydroponic tomatoes. Their adaptability to different hydroponic systems, such as deep-water culture and nutrient film techniques, contributes to their dominance in the market. This makes tomatoes the leading crop in the hydroponics industry in 2024.

Analysis by Equipment:

• HVAC
• LED Grow Light
• Irrigation Systems
• Material Handling
• Control Systems
• Others

HVAC at around driven by its essential role in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency, improved air quality, and environmental sustainability drives HVAC demand. Rising global temperatures, urbanization, and increasing construction activities further boost the need for advanced HVAC systems that offer climate control, comfort, and efficiency. Moreover, regulatory standards requiring energy-efficient systems in buildings contribute to the sector’s dominance. Additionally, innovations like smart HVAC systems, which integrate IoT for monitoring and energy optimization, are gaining popularity, making the HVAC market a significant player in the global industry.

Regional Analysis:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa

In 2024, North America accounted for the largest market driven by strong demand for sustainable agriculture and innovative farming solutions. The region's increasing focus on food security, environmental sustainability, and water conservation supports the growth of hydroponic systems. Urbanization, coupled with limited arable land, has spurred the adoption of hydroponics, particularly in cities with high population densities. Technological advancements in hydroponic systems, such as automation, AI integration, and energy-efficient solutions, further contribute to market growth. Additionally, North America's robust agricultural infrastructure, along with government initiatives promoting sustainable farming practices, has created a favorable environment for hydroponic farming. This combination of factors makes North America the dominant player in the hydroponics market in 2024.

Key Regional Takeaways:
 

United States Hydroponics Market Analysis

The U.S. hydroponics market is seeing tremendous growth due to technology improvements, consumer demand for sustainable produce, and government policies that support innovative agriculture. According to industrial reports, in 2023, there were 3,342 hydroponic crop farming businesses in the United States, up 12.5% from 2022. During the five years, the industry experienced an average annual growth of 12.5%, suggesting a strong adoption of hydroponic farming techniques throughout the nation. Key states leading the market include Pennsylvania with 689 businesses, New York with 601 companies, and Michigan with 494 businesses. The rationale behind these locations includes infrastructure development, friendly policies, and significant demand for locally grown, pesticide-free produce. Labor being intensive in hydroponic farming affects the cost structure. Wages form a proportion of 24.9% of revenue while purchases are 29.2% and rent and utilities 6.6%. Government support is achieved through grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, promotes investments by small and medium-scale businesses in hydroponics. Further, the enhancement in vertical farming and LEDs lighting increases efficiency and crop production. Water conservation, urbanization problem-solving, and food safety can be met through this type of farming, as such the hydroponics farming industry is a component that needs to be critically part of the sustainable movement of agriculture in the U.S.

Europe Hydroponics Market Analysis

The Europe hydroponics market is gaining momentum with the surging urbanization and an increasing need for sustainable and local food production systems. According to a research article, by 2050, it is estimated that 80% of Europe's population will live in cities, amplifying the challenges related to food provisioning. The vulnerability of urban areas, reliant on food imports, increases in the face of interruptions in the global food supply chain caused by climate change, among other factors. New technologies such as hydroponics, especially vertical farming, are emerging to replace the old ways and their reliance on external food supplies by producing controlled-environment agriculture localized for a given region. Some other environments within which hydroponic farming takes place include the 'La Petite Ferme du Grand Lyon' in Europe, France. This process reduces water and land consumptions by a wide margin since compared to the traditional system, hydroponic farmland can yield up to 44.7 kg per square meter per year, making them perform much better than regular farming in terms of square usage. The hydroponics process further has lower environmental impacts: carbon footprint, eutrophication, and land occupation. However, these systems are capital-intensive; thus, they require a very high initial investment, while continuous electricity is needed for irrigation and nutrient systems, which might be a challenge to their popularization. Despite these challenges, urban hydroponics has a strong promise as a sustainable practice that is resource-efficient. It can reduce the environment footprint of food production within cities. It addresses both increased demand for local food, and the growing concern associated with environmental degradation caused by traditional agriculture.

Asia Pacific Hydroponics Market Analysis

In the Asia Pacific hydroponics market, China is playing a vital role as it adopted modern hydroponic techniques back in the 1970s. Researchers at Shandong Agricultural University came up with the "Lu-SC" hydroponics system, which gave the crop yields an enormous increase of 135% from the open-field cultivation. Major agricultural institutions in China began advancing hydroponic research in the 1980s, such as Beijing Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Hydroponic production in China currently amounts to more than 100 hectares, with large-scale operations concentrated in cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, oil fields in Xinjiang, and Daqing. Such regions benefit from innovative systems locally developed, such as the "Lu-SC" system, Floating Capillary Hydroponics (FCH), and Solid Manure Soilless Culture System (SMSCS). These are cost-effective, easy to operate, and therefore competitive in yields for fruit and leafy vegetables. This fast growth in China, coupled with research centers like the Hydroponics Research Center of Southeast Coast, shows a great scope for the growth of the hydroponics market in the Asia Pacific region. This is both due to technological advancements and increased demand in the region for sustainable agricultural solutions.

Latin America Hydroponics Market Analysis

The hydroponics market in Latin America, especially in Brazil, is one of the areas that experienced fast growth during the recent past. According to a research article, currently, production of hydroponic vegetables in Brazil has expanded up to an estimated 50 hectares, while NFT has been widely adopted in Brazil. Crops in particular include lettuce, arugula, and watercress, which enjoy hydroponic cultivation through the productive utilization of resources. Despite its rapid growth, the industry has challenges associated with pest and disease management that have to be addressed with creative solutions for sustainable growth. Hydroponics is therefore a low-cost production technology, which costs between USD 0.10 and USD 0.20 per lettuce head, with both yield and water-saving advantages. With the growing interest in sustainable farming methods, hydroponics is gaining momentum in Latin America, and Brazil leads the way in adopting such systems. This trend will continue, with further expansion in the hydroponic vegetable production sector in the region, promoting food security and environmental sustainability.

Middle East and Africa Hydroponics Market Analysis

Due to severe climatic conditions and low available arable land, hydroponics markets are flourishing in the Middle East. Farming is extremely challenging in such a desert environment; hydroponic farming can help circumvent the difficulties and disadvantages in such desert regions by making crops grow without using any soil with a nutrient-rich water solution, recycles water, reduces pesticides, and gives crops much more productivity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), hydroponic farming reduces water consumption by up to 70%, making it essential for arid regions. Demand for fresh produce is on the rise in the UAE due to an increase in population and demand for local self-sufficiency. Hydroponics offers the promise of year-round crop production, regardless of climate conditions, making it a sustainable option for food security. There are several systems in use for different crops: Drip, NFT, DWC, depending on the type of leafy greens and other crops to the larger varieties like tomatoes. Companies like Elite Agro Projects are in the lead for developing local high-quality hydroponic systems. The market will, therefore, continue to experience growth, which is propelled by the rising demand and sustainable efforts.

Competitive Landscape:

Top companies are pivotal in bolstering market growth through innovation, research, and industry leadership. These companies continually invest in research and development, pushing the boundaries of hydroponic technology to enhance efficiency, reduce resource usage, and optimize crop yields. Their commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices resonates with a global audience increasingly concerned about food security and environmental impact, spurring the adoption of hydroponics. Furthermore, top players actively engage in educational initiatives and partnerships to promote awareness about hydroponic solutions among growers, communities, and governments, fostering broader acceptance and adoption of this agricultural method. By pioneering cutting-edge systems, driving sustainable practices, and promoting knowledge dissemination, these top hydroponics firms strengthen their market presence and contribute significantly to the industry's growth and its vital role in shaping the future of agriculture.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the hydroponics market with detailed profiles of all major companies, including:

• AeroFarms
• Argus Control Systems Limited (Controlled Environments Limited)
• BrightFarms
• General Hydroponics Inc.
• GreenTech Agro LLC
• GrowLife Inc.
• Hydrodynamics International
• Hydrofarm LLC
• Logiqs B.V.
• LumiGrow Inc.
• Thanet Earth Limited
• Village Farms International Inc.

Latest News and Developments:

• In December 2024, The Indian government decided to include Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Vertical Farming, and Precision Agriculture in the MIDH, the operational guidelines as well as cost norms will be revised by the Ministry of Agriculture. According to reports, the increment rate would be 20%. These are the first cost revisions since April 2014.
• In September 2024, The Udupi-based engineers founded Krop AI and created an AI-powered hydroponic system that would grow exotic plants. It gives 40 times more crops compared to the traditional method while taking 1/10th of the area, not using soil, or sunlight.
• In March 2024, Thanet Earth announced it has acquired Leythorne Nurseries, an 8.25-acre site south of Chichester, for an undisclosed sum. Thanet Earth Lettuce will be able to grow lettuce all year round from the site using a hydroponic system. This newest venture supports its existing specialty produce portfolio and underlines its support for local food production.
• In September 2023, BrightFarms entered an exclusive licensing deal with Partner Element Farms.
• In July 2023, AeroFarms agreed with an existing group of its investors to provide $10 million in debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing as part of a larger round of financing that includes those investors.

Hydroponics Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the hydroponics market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global hydroponics market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the hydroponics industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.