Food Crops Grown Under Cover Market Report 2026

The food crops grown under cover market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $71.74 billion in 2025 to $79.85 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to early adoption of greenhouse farming, rising demand for off-season produce, increasing soil degradation driving protected farming, growth of urban agriculture, expansion of horticulture practices.

The food crops grown under cover market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $127.96 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for sustainable food production, increasing adoption of hydroponics and vertical farming, growth in climate-resilient agriculture, expansion of indoor farming technologies, rising market for premium fresh produce. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of controlled-environment agriculture, rising use of crop rotation and no-till practices in covered farming, growing preference for high-value crops under protective structures, expansion of organic food crop cultivation under cover, higher demand for year-round production of fresh produce.

The rising interest in organic food is anticipated to drive the growth of the market for food crops cultivated under cover in the future. Organic products are cultivated and processed without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), all of which can pose risks to human health and the environment. Awareness of the advantages of organic consumption has led to a surge in demand for these foods in recent years. For example, in May 2023, the Organic Trade Association, a trade group based in the U.S., reported that organic food sales in the United States surpassed $60 billion for the first time in 2022, marking a significant milestone for the flourishing organic industry. In total, organic sales, including both food and non-food items, reached a record $67.6 billion. Furthermore, the sales of organic baby food and formula rose nearly 13 percent, totaling $1.4 billion. Similarly, sales of organic rice, grains, and potato products increased by over 10 percent, amounting to $387 million. Organic dip sales also saw a notable increase, climbing 18 percent to reach $194 million. Consequently, the growing demand for organic food is fueling the expansion of the market for food crops grown under cover.

Leading companies in the market for food crops grown under cover are developing innovative strategies to boost crop yields, optimize resource usage, and enhance sustainability within controlled environments like greenhouses and indoor farming systems. Innovative solutions encompass new and creative techniques, technologies, or approaches aimed at effectively tackling specific challenges. For example, in September 2024, Urban Crop Solutions, a Belgian agricultural firm, partnered with another Belgian company, Inagro, to unveil the first of three vertical farming towers. These towers are engineered to optimize space and improve production efficiency by enabling multiple layers of crops to be cultivated in a compact area. They employ advanced hydroponic and aeroponic systems, which reduce water consumption and eliminate the need for soil, leading to healthier plants and quicker growth cycles. By incorporating smart technologies, such as automated monitoring and climate regulation, Urban Crop Solutions and Inagro seek to refine growing conditions, lower labor costs, and boost overall sustainability in urban agriculture. This initiative marks a significant advancement in addressing the increasing demand for fresh produce in urban settings while tackling the environmental issues linked to traditional farming practices.

In May 2023, Mastronardi Produce Ltd., a Canada-based greenhouse vegetable growing company, acquired Intergrow Greenhouses Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Mastronardi Produce Ltd. aims to expand its U.S. greenhouse growing network, boost high-tech production capacity, ensure continuity of operations at local facilities, and reinforce its position as a leading provider of locally grown, flavorful fruits and vegetables. Intergrow Greenhouses Inc. is a US-based greenhouse and trucking company specializing in producing food crops grown under cover.

Major companies operating in the food crops grown under cover market are Argus Control Systems Ltd., LumiGrow Inc., Netafim Ltd., Richel Group, General Hydroponics, Crop One Holdings Inc., Metropolis Farms Inc., Bright Farms Inc., Bowery Farming Inc., Certhon Group, Vertical Farm Systems, Hydrodynamics International, Illumitex Inc., Garden Fresh Farms, Green Sense Farms LLC, Sky Greens Pte Ltd., AeroFarms Inc., Plenty Unlimited Inc., Gotham Greens LLC, AppHarvest Inc., Kalera Inc., Revol Greens LLC, Eden Green Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Infinite Harvest Inc., Little Leaf Farms LLC, FreshBox Farms Inc., Local Roots Farms Inc., Bright Agrotech LLC, Urban Crop Solutions, Green Spirit Farms LLC, Modular Farms Co, Square Roots (Electric) Inc., Vertical Harvest Jackson Hole LLC, ZipGrow Inc.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are affecting the food crops grown under cover market by increasing the cost of imported hardware components such as greenhouse structures, hydroponic systems, LED grow lights, and climate control equipment, raising overall setup and operational expenses. Hardware-intensive segments including glass greenhouses, vertical farms, and hydroponic systems are most impacted, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific where reliance on international suppliers is high. Despite these challenges, tariffs can incentivize domestic manufacturing, promote localized supply chains, and accelerate innovation in cost-efficient protected agriculture technologies.

The food crops grown under cover market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food crops grown under cover market statistics, including food crops grown under cover industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food crops grown under cover market share, detailed food crops grown under cover market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food crops grown under cover industry. This food crops grown under cover market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Food crops grown under cover encompass crops cultivated within structures like greenhouses or under protective covers like tunnels. Agricultural practices like crop rotation, no-till methods, and organic farming significantly support and enhance this technique.

The primary categories of food crops grown under cover include fruits and vegetables, herbs and microgreens, flowers and ornamentals, along with other varieties. Fruits and vegetables constitute essential components of a nutritious diet. Various growing systems for these crops include hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, soil-based cultivation, and hybrid methods. The two main components crucial for this cultivation are the hardware (physical structures and equipment) and software (management practices and techniques). Several types of facilities are employed for growing food crops under cover, including glass or poly greenhouses, indoor vertical farms, container farms, indoor deep-water culture systems, and other specialized facility types designed for controlled cultivation.North America was the largest region in the food crops grown under cover market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the food crops grown under cover market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the food crops grown under cover market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the food crops grown under cover market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The food crops grown under cover market consist of sales of food crops grown under protection such as fruits and vegetables in greenhouses and hoop houses, as well as transplants for commercial vegetable production. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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