PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1599845
PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1599845
Global microgreens market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.42% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 1.74 billion in 2023 to USD 3.32 billion in 2031. A number of factors are responsible for the most popular growing trend in microgreens. These foods are healthy and attractive to the eye, and thus elicit a great response from consumers. Early-stage greens known as microgreens are popular with chefs for their flavor, color, and most importantly health benefits which are greater than mature greens. In June 2024, New AeroFarms, Inc. participated in BBQ Battle in Washington, DC to illustrate the locally grown microgreens from the company that may enhance the flavors of the barbecue dishes. Grown responsibly indoors, the microgreens by New AeroFarms, Inc. claim outstanding taste and a minimum environmental footprint, requiring up to 95% less water than conventional gardening.
The growth of the market can be attributed to an increase in the conscious awareness of people about the health benefits of eating fresh organic farms and the growing number of people adopting a plant-based diet. Microgreens are embraced by culinary experts for their aesthetics, while health enthusiasts appreciate them for their vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The increasing interest of the people in local and sustainable food sources has led to the rise of different indoor and urban farming techniques, especially in hydroponics, vertical farming, and controlled-environment agriculture, which are very suitable in growing microgreen plants. Additionally, the fact that microgreens are easy to grow in small areas has prompted the rise in small scale and at-home farming, whereby city residents or people with small space find them favorable.
To meet the demands of environmentally aware consumers, market participants are concentrating on the implementation of unique initiatives, particularly the development of green packaging. The microgreens market also benefits from technological advancement in agriculture, for instance, LED lights and precision farming, which improves both the amount and the quality of the crop. The trend towards gourmet and organic cuisine is likely to keep the microgreens market on the rise, fueled by commercial cultivators and home gardening enthusiasts' persistent interest and consumption.
Rise of Indoor Farming Catalyzes Market Expansion
The growing trend of indoor and urban farming is contributing to the growth of the microgreens market. With an increase in the appetite for fresh produce, urban centers have evolved to embrace advanced farming techniques such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and controlled-environment agriculture. Such frameworks make the farming of microgreens possible in small, controlled spaces with very little land making them well suited for metropolitan cities and areas where agricultural land is a limitation.
The technology of indoor farming allows for production of crops all year round, guaranteeing a steady supply regardless of the season. It is possible to cut down on resource use, energy use, and transportation distances, which is in unison with the sustainable development policies, especially to consumers who are green in nature. This broadens the access to fresh microgreens which is commercially focused and for the individual consumers.
In October 2024, Zurich-based company, UMAMI LTD, began the construction of a new indoor herb and microgreen farm. Compared to traditional greenhouses, the new farm's biological recirculation method is expected to utilize 90% less water and 89% less land. The microgreens and herbs grown at the new farm will be fertilized using a biological fertilizer created and manufactured by UMAMI.
Innovation to Influence Market Growth
The upsurge in the microgreens market can be attributed to the numerous innovations made in the system, especially in the farming techniques, packaging, and enhancement of the crop. Equipment such as LED lights, temperature control devices, and water-free growing systems enhance the use of indoor farming, thus increasing output, quality, and resource management. Moreover, the improvements in the green packaging technologies satisfy the environmental concern of customers, thereby minimizing the negative impacts on the earth.
In addition, the emergence of biofortified microgreens, which are grown with the intent of containing high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, improves the health benefits and market attraction of these products. For instance, in April 2024, the first pea shoots biofortified with vitamin B12 were made available for purchase due to a partnership between indoor farming technology company LettUs Grow Ltd., plant and microbiology research institute the John Innes Centre, food and health bioscience facility, the Quadram Institute, and vertical farming technology company, Ro-Gro (owned by G H Dean & Co Ltd). LettUs Grow's ultrasonic aeroponic technology is used to biofortify the pea shoots grown at Ro-Gro's vertical farm in Kent with B12.
Such developments enhance the accessibility and the appeal of microgreens to consumers and enable manufacturers to satisfy certain dietary or environmental preferences leading to demand in various segments of the market.
Spinach Microgreens to Holds a Significant Market Share
Spinach microgreens can be considered as one of the growing segments of the microgreens market owing to the high nutritional content, mild taste, and ability to be used in many prepared food applications. Among health-conscious individuals, spinach microgreens are highly valued as these contain a great deal of vitamins A, C, K, iron, calcium, and antioxidant properties. Its mild and slight sweet taste blends well with most dishes, making it one of the most loved components by professional chefs and those cooking at home.
In addition, spinach microgreens take very little time to grow from seeding to cutting, and are popular among commercial hydroponics and urban or home gardens. They are trendy due to increasing number of plant-based diets comprising a lot of spinach microgreens which can be essentially used to supplement nutrient content in salads, smoothies, and garnishes, therefore holding a great share of the microgreens market.
Aligning with the trend, in September 2023, to promote sustainable agriculture, BrightFarms Inc. and Element Farms Inc. collaborated to raise the bar for Northeastern indoor-grown vegetables. This mutually beneficial partnership, which enables BrightFarms to distribute Element Farms' indoor-grown spinach throughout the Northeast under the BrightFarms brand, further satisfies the high consumer demand for locally grown, high-quality spinach. These companies pioneer in sustainable and controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
North America to Dominate the Market Share
The high demand for fresh, healthy, and predominantly organic foods has led to the dominance of the microgreens market by North America. The region's high inclination towards health and wellness has, in turn, increased the demand for wholesome products such as micro greens, especially among the health-focused people, plus the vegan population. Additionally, North America has good facilities for indoor and urban farming through improved hydroponics and vertical farming, which helps in the efficient production of microgreens.
The established foodservice sector, particularly high-end restaurants that use microgreens enhances the demand pull. Moreover, the growing awareness regarding sustainable and locally made products available in the local markets complements the green preferences of the North American audience, thus driving the demand for microgreens in the market. Consequently, this combination of factors makes the microgreens market the most developed in North America.
In September 2024, Gotham Greens Holdings, PBC, an indoor farming company located in New York, increased its territory by around one-third in Pullman. In addition to the hydroponic lettuce and basil that Gotham Greens plants all year long, the new area would be used to launch a nationwide trial program to grow spinach. The company's Pullman greenhouses comprise 230,000 square feet spread across two locations as a result of 55,000-square-foot extension, which includes modern equipment.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
The growing acceptance of indoor and vertical farming practices will boost all year-round production, decreasing dependence on seasonality.
Health-oriented customers who are in search of functional foods are expected to consume biofortified microgreens with healthier attributes.
Given the fact that high demand is expected in the cities, microgreen kits and seeds will have increased popularity as consumers opt for home grown fresh produce.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The main companies operating in the microgreens market tend to emphasize innovation, product variety, and sustainability to improve their positions and harness the increasing consumer demand. They seek to enhance production by developing technologies for controlled environment agriculture, including vertical and hydroponic farming, which ensures quality production around the year. In September 2023, GoodLeaf Community Farms Limited planted the first test crops at its new facility in Calgary, with plans to start full production in Western Canada in late fall. With 40 yearly harvests of microgreens and 20 annual harvests of baby greens anticipated, GoodLeaf's Calgary farm was expected to yield over two million pounds of fresh, locally grown leafy greens annually once it got fully operational.
As eco-friendly packaging options are gaining a lot of attention in the current market, many frontrunners are making their packaging green, targeting their environment-friendly buyers. Furthermore, the main participants cooperate with the foodservice industry to promote microgreens in restaurants and haute-cuisine salads. With the increasing demand for food microgreens due to health consciousness levels rising around the world, these approaches enable major stakeholders to explore new countries and regions and support growth in the long run.
All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered
Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work.