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Market Overview

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The global market for satellite imaging in agriculture was valued at $516 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.50% during the forecast period 2023-2028, reaching $785 million by 2028. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for efficient and sustainable farming practices.

Satellite-based agricultural imaging involves the use of satellite-derived data to remotely monitor and manage crop conditions, soil quality, and other agricultural parameters. By analyzing satellite imagery, farmers can assess soil characteristics, track crop health, and identify risks such as diseases and pests. The integration of satellite imaging into precision agriculture has greatly improved sustainability and intelligence in the field. Recognizing its potential, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) acknowledges the need for better management of global agricultural resources, particularly in developing nations.

Satellite imagery can be combined with various technologies such as GPS and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor and manage agricultural resources effectively. High-resolution satellite technologies provide crucial information for achieving profitability, efficiency, and sustainability in farming practices. The use of UAVs for image capture and analysis has also had a significant impact on the agricultural sector. By combining these technologies with satellite imagery, farmers can enhance their overall agricultural operations.

The advancement of small satellite constellations is expected to significantly benefit the global market for satellite imaging technology in agriculture. These constellations consist of multiple compact satellites that work together to provide high-resolution and high-frequency satellite services, delivering essential information for profitable, efficient, and sustainable farming practices. Compared to traditional satellite systems, small satellite constellations offer advantages such as cost reduction, shorter revisit intervals, and improved image resolution. These factors have increased farmers’ accessibility to satellite imagery, enabling its integration into sustainable farming methods and precision agriculture.

In the global market for satellite imaging in agriculture, companies are actively employing knowledge-driven strategies and technological innovations to establish themselves as market leaders. By adopting effective business strategies, these companies aim to maintain their relevance in the market and identify growth opportunities. They strive to gain a competitive edge by implementing efficient strategies that contribute to long-term profitability and ensure future success.

There are several drivers increasing the demand for satellite imaging in agriculture. Firstly, crop insurance companies are incorporating satellite imagery to assess crop damage accurately and make informed decisions regarding insurance claims. Secondly, as farms consolidate, remote sensing technology allows managers to monitor various aspects of farming effectively, leading to increased productivity and operational efficiency. Additionally, satellite imagery provides valuable insights into crop characteristics, irrigation needs, livestock grazing patterns, fertilizer application, and changing weather patterns, enhancing farming practices. Lastly, satellite imagery supports the need for sustainable agriculture by enabling farmers to optimize inputs, track land use changes, and improve overall land management.

However, there are challenges associated with the use of satellite imagery in agriculture. Many developing nations lack the knowledge and understanding of this technology, limiting its adoption and usage. Geopolitical issues, such as national security and privacy concerns, restrict access to high-resolution satellite imagery for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, limited understanding and awareness across developing countries hinder the widespread use of satellite imagery in agriculture.

Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for satellite imaging in agriculture. Satellite imagery can help tackle climate risks and enable precision agriculture for sustainable resource management. The incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning in satellite imaging revolutionizes agriculture by improving crop production, efficiency, and yield prediction. Moreover, affordable solutions, like the free use of satellite imagery on platforms such as Amazon Web Services, can benefit smallholder farmers and promote financial inclusion. These advancements, coupled with contextually relevant software applications, can significantly improve crop production, revenue, and environmental impact for smallholder farmers.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including Product, Application, End User, And Region.

Segmentation by Product
Data Acquisition
Processing
Analytics
Integrated Delivery Platform

Segmentation by Application
Crop Health Monitoring
Soil Mapping
Forestry
Others

Segmentation by End User
Agribusinesses
Government and Non-Government Agencies
Research Institutes
Others

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Europe – Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Rest-of-Europe
China
U.K.
Asia-Pacific – Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific
South America – Argentina, Brazil, and Rest-of-South America
Middle East and Africa – South Africa, Turkey, Israel, and Rest-of-Middle East and Africa

The period between 2022 and 2028 is expected to witness the highest growth in the integrated delivery platform within the satellite imaging for agriculture market. This platform held a share of 45.2% in 2022. To ensure accurate analytics, the acquired raw data must undergo processing to eliminate distortions such as geographic and radiometric discrepancies. Additionally, data acquisition follows predefined coordinates and sensor specifications. Sensors gather radiance and process it into raw images to enable interpretation and analysis. Various algorithms used in geospatial analytics integrate different data sources to provide valuable insights.

A significant challenge lies in developing a platform that facilitates seamless communication among systems and enables continuous exchange of mission-critical data. This involves integrating data from various applications, databases, and users.

Crop health monitoring continues to dominate as the leading application segment in the satellite imaging for agriculture market, with a share of 41.1% in 2022. Satellite imagery plays a critical role in monitoring crop health, enabling precision digital agriculture practices and pest detection on a large scale. It empowers farmers and agronomists to optimize crop health, assess yield variations, and make informed decisions throughout the seasons.

Integrating satellite imagery with datasets such as disease and pest models, yield maps, pest monitoring, and fertilization maps allows for the establishment of comprehensive crop monitoring systems. For instance, agri-traders in India have gained a competitive advantage by estimating wheat yields at a state level 30 days before harvest, enabling informed decision-making regarding procurement and storage strategies.

Satellite imagery also provides detailed data on remote areas, facilitating the creation of accurate soil maps for previously unmapped regions. This technology proves effective in forestry management and research by providing cost-effective and up-to-date information about forest resources. Governments, scientists, and non-governmental organizations rely on satellite data to track deforestation and set improvement targets. Furthermore, satellite imaging offers a comprehensive view of animal movements, aiding in the protection of migratory species.

Satellite imagery is instrumental in monitoring carbon emissions, including those from forests and cities, in near-real-time by integrating data from multiple satellites. It also enables the monitoring of weather patterns and changes that can impact carbon sequestration and emissions.

Agribusiness is projected to experience the highest growth between 2022 and 2028, as it accounted for a dominant share of 66.6% in the satellite imaging for agriculture market in 2022. Satellite images and remote sensing technology continually improve, assisting farm managers and modern farmers in tracking conditions, monitoring growth, weather, and carbon levels. As farms increase in size, satellite images provide relevant and accurate data with newfound ease. They contribute to managers showcasing their conservation and management efforts in an easily understandable and visually appealing manner.

Governments and NGOs frequently employ satellite images to analyze land use patterns and plan agricultural development, conservation, and other activities related to land use.

Satellite images can be used to develop and validate crop models, which mathematically represent crop growth, yield, and response to environmental factors. Researchers leverage these models to enhance their understanding of crop biology and devise new crop varieties and management techniques.

Major corporate players are increasingly seeking opportunities to purchase or lease various farming operations nationwide. Access to historical management and conditions has become essential for decision-making, made possible by satellite imagery and other remote sensing products. Time-series satellite imagery and remote sensing products allow the combination of farmers’ expertise with satellite data, providing a comprehensive history of a farm and inspiring investor confidence in its operations.

North America, Europe, and the U.K. are the primary regions contributing to the global satellite imaging for agriculture market, collectively accounting for approximately 59% of the market share in 2022. These regions drive market growth due to the utilization of satellite imaging for precise crop health monitoring and pest detection. Asia-Pacific, including China, is gradually adopting satellite imaging for agriculture, supported by increasing research and development activities, experimental field studies, and government initiatives.

In the Middle East and Africa, the adoption of satellite imaging for agriculture is on the rise thanks to technical training programs offered to farmers to encourage the adoption of advanced precision agricultural technologies. South America experiences growing demand for food production with efficient input utilization and sees increased adoption of satellite imaging for agriculture due to the emergence of start-ups.

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Competitive Landscape

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The selection of the profiled companies was based on information gathered from primary experts and an analysis of their company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

The top players in the global satellite imaging for agriculture market are primarily public companies, holding a market share of approximately 62% in 2021. The remaining market share of 38% is accounted for by private and start-up companies.

Key companies profiled in this report include Airbus, Farmers Edge Inc, Planet Labs PBC, Satellogic, Syngenta, Maxar Technologies, Descartes Labs, Inc, EOS Data Analytics,Inc, Esri, European Space Imaging, Gamaya, ICEYE, NaraSpace Inc, Open Cosmos Ltd, Satellite Imaging Corporation, SkyWatch, SpaceKnow Inc., EarthDaily Analytics, SatSure, SpaceSense, Synspective.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In March 2023, Esri announced a partnership with Pollen Systems Corporation. This collaboration allows growers to effectively manage their operations and make informed decisions by integrating geospatial data from various sources. By leveraging the integration of PrecisionView Mobile with Esri’s ArcGIS platform, growers can gain valuable insights into the environmental and social impacts of their operations.

Another significant partnership in March 2023 was between Satellogic and SKYFI. This integration aims to democratize geospatial data even further, providing users with increased access to Satellogic’s Earth observation data. The partnership seeks to enhance the availability and usability of geospatial information for various applications.

In the same month, Planet Labs PBC made an acquisition to expand its data analysis platform and offer clients more insightful data. The company acquired Sinergise, a move that is expected to broaden the scope of data analysis capabilities and provide more comprehensive and valuable insights to clients.

Maxar Technologies achieved a significant milestone in March 2023 by producing one of the first 30 cm HD global imagery base maps. This map was created using over 400,000 high-resolution satellite photos. The map serves multiple purposes, including being used as a visually appealing contextual overlay, extracting and recognizing features, creating maps, generating 3D data for simulations, and much more. This advancement in satellite imaging technology opens up new possibilities for various industries and applications that rely on accurate and detailed geospatial data.

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Key Questions Answered

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Q: What is the purpose of satellite imaging in agriculture?
Satellite imaging in agriculture serves as a means to gather valuable information about crops, soil, and agricultural practices. It offers a comprehensive perspective of agricultural landscapes, enabling farmers to make well-informed decisions regarding crop management, resource allocation, and sustainability.

Q: What are the primary trends in satellite imaging for agriculture?
The market is witnessing several key trends, including the integration of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze satellite imagery. This empowers farmers with valuable insights and predictive models for improved decision-making. Furthermore, advancements in satellite technology have led to higher-resolution imaging, facilitating more detailed and accurate monitoring of crops and land conditions.

Q: What strategies are existing market players adopting to enhance their market position in the industry?
Existing market players are implementing various strategies to strengthen their market position. These include establishing strategic partnerships with other companies, agricultural organizations, and research institutions. By doing so, they can expand their reach, access new markets, and leverage complementary expertise in data analysis and agriculture.

Q: For a new company seeking to enter the global satellite imaging for agriculture market, which areas should it focus on to maintain a competitive edge?
To remain competitive in the global satellite imaging for agriculture market, a new company should prioritize advanced data analytics. This involves leveraging algorithms and machine learning models to extract valuable insights and provide customized solutions. Additionally, forming partnerships with satellite providers to access high-resolution imagery will enable accurate monitoring of crop health and soil conditions, ensuring the delivery of precise and reliable information to farmers.

Q: What is the unique selling proposition (USP) of this report?
This report stands out by providing technical details of actively used satellites specifically tailored for digital agriculture solutions. It includes information on spectral and temporal resolution as well as applications. Moreover, the report offers insights into the global adoption of satellite imaging in agriculture, covering the state of agriculture digitalization in various regions and countries. Additionally, it analyzes crop patterns and factors related to biotic and abiotic stress specific to each region and country.

Q: Who would benefit from purchasing this report?
Agribusinesses, government agencies, research institutes, non-governmental agencies, and other stakeholders interested in satellite imaging for agriculture can benefit from purchasing this report.