Farming Industry Statistics and Growth Forecasts

This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for a farm project.

Who wrote this content?

The Dojo Business Team

A team of financial experts, consultants, and writers

We're a team of finance experts, consultants, market analysts, and specialized writers dedicated to helping new entrepreneurs launch their businesses. We help you avoid costly mistakes by providing detailed business plans, accurate market studies, and reliable financial forecasts to maximize your chances of success from day one—especially in the farm market.

What is the current global market size of the farming industry in terms of revenue and output?

The global farming industry in 2025 generates an estimated $12.97–$15.5 trillion in revenue with very large output volumes across crops and livestock.

This range reflects differences in scope (on-farm value vs. broader ag value) across data providers, but the midpoint is a solid planning anchor for a new farm project. Cereals (maize, wheat, rice), soy/oilseeds, and animal products account for the majority of value creation worldwide.

At a granular level, national statistics show the U.S., China, India, and Brazil are the largest contributors, while the EU adds high-value horticulture and animal products. For a new farm, this implies deep market liquidity and multiple channel options (local, regional, export).

You’ll find detailed market insights in our farm project business plan, updated every quarter.

Use the global size to calibrate your revenue scenarios and price sensitivity assumptions.

Which regions or countries account for the largest share of farming production today?

Asia-Pacific leads global farming production, followed by North and South America, then Europe.

China and India dominate cereals and rice; the United States and Brazil dominate maize, soy, and beef/poultry exports; the EU supplies premium dairy, pork, and horticulture. Emerging Southeast Asia and parts of Africa are expanding acreage and yields.

The table below summarizes today’s production footprint and export strengths to help you align your farm’s crop/livestock mix with regional demand and trade flows.

Match your product focus to nearby port/logistics corridors and processor capacity to reduce transport costs and shrink time-to-market.

What are the main crops and livestock categories driving the industry’s growth right now?

Cereals, soy/oilseeds, sugarcane, and animal proteins (poultry, dairy, beef) are the current growth engines.

Maize and soy benefit from feed demand, wheat from food security, rice from APAC diets, and sugarcane from food/ethanol. Poultry grows fastest among animal proteins due to cost efficiency and flexible consumer demand.

For specialty upside, look at pulses, oilseed alternatives (sunflower, canola), and climate-resilient crops that fit your agro-ecology. Align livestock choices with local feed availability and processor access.

We cover this exact topic in the farm project business plan.

The table helps you compare scale, margins, and market pull.

What has been the annual growth rate of the farming industry over the past five years?

Global farming expanded at roughly 6.6–7.9% CAGR over the last five years.

This average masks higher growth in India and parts of Latin America, where reported rates around ~10% have been achieved due to acreage/yield gains and domestic demand. Developed markets grew slower but benefited from technology and export pricing.

For your farm pro forma, use local historical yields and price trends, then layer conservative growth assumptions by crop/livestock. Back-test against weather and input price cycles.

This is one of the strategies explained in our farm project business plan.

Stress-test at least two downside cases (weather shock, fertilizer spike).

What are the most recent forecasts for farming industry growth over the next five to ten years?

Most baselines point to ~6.5–8.5% CAGR for global farming through 2034, with faster growth in agritech-enabled systems.

Population growth, higher protein consumption, and productivity gains are the core drivers. Technology-led savings in water, fertilizer, and labor support margins even under price volatility.

The table below consolidates forecast ranges and practical takeaways for a new farm.

Anchor your plan on the mid-range scenario, with optionality to pivot acreage and products as prices shift.

Which emerging markets are expected to show the fastest expansion in farming production and demand?

India, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Latin America are set to expand fastest.

Drivers include rising incomes, urbanization, dietary shifts toward animal protein, and better input access. Infrastructure projects (roads, storage, cold chain) unlock yields and reduce post-harvest losses.

The table below lists where demand is growing and what a new farm should prioritize to benefit.

Prioritize crops aligned with local processors to reduce working-capital cycles.

What role do technological innovations such as precision farming, automation, and AI play in current and future growth?

• Precision tools (variable-rate seeding/fertilization, soil moisture sensors) can boost yields by ~20–30% and trim inputs by up to ~40% when fully adopted.
• Drones, robotics, and automated irrigation reduce labor bottlenecks and increase timeliness of operations.
• AI models improve disease/pest detection, irrigation scheduling, and harvest timing based on weather and field data.
• Farm management software integrates records, traceability, and compliance for premium markets.
• For a new farm, lease-first approaches and pilot plots de-risk capex while building capability.

How are shifts in consumer demand, such as plant-based diets or organic products, influencing farming output and revenues?

Consumer shifts toward plant-forward and organic categories are reshaping crop mix and pricing power.

Plant-based demand supports pulses, oilseeds, and horticulture, while organic/regenerative certification can lift prices but requires compliance and transition periods. Animal proteins still grow in emerging markets, especially poultry and dairy.

Develop channel strategies early: wholesale to processors for volume and direct-to-retail for premiums where feasible. Track private-label trends and retailer standards to secure shelf space.

Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our farm project business plan.

Use contracts to lock minimum volumes/prices for new certifications.

What impact do climate change, water availability, and sustainability pressures have on future farming growth?

• Extreme weather already causes material losses (estimates around $120B/year), raising insurance needs and resilience investments.
• About 40% of arable land faces water stress; irrigated efficiency and soil health are decisive.
• Buyers and regulators push for lower emissions and traceability, influencing input choices and rotations.
• Climate-smart practices (cover crops, reduced tillage) protect yields and qualify farms for incentives/carbon programs.
• New farms should map water rights, invest in moisture monitoring, and design drainage/irrigation for 1-in-50-year events.

How do government subsidies, trade policies, and regulations shape the competitiveness of the farming industry worldwide?

Public support, trade rules, and standards have a major effect on farm profitability and market access.

Large subsidy programs (e.g., EU CAP) and national farm bills influence input costs, sustainability investments, and risk tools. Tariffs/quotas and sanitary rules shape export opportunities and price realization.

For a new farm, align with incentive schemes (water efficiency, soil carbon, renewable energy) and keep documentation audit-ready. Monitor trade measures if you target export-linked crops.

It’s a key part of what we outline in the farm project business plan.

Assign one owner to track policy calendars and grant windows.

What are the current levels of investment in agritech startups and infrastructure, and how are these shaping the future market?

Agritech and on-farm infrastructure investment is rising, focused on precision, automation, sustainability, and data.

Market estimates point to the agritech segment reaching roughly $15–22B in 2025 with double-digit CAGR expected; private and public funds back storage, processing, irrigation, and digital tools that reduce losses and raise quality.

The table below shows where capital is flowing and how a new farm can plug in.

Co-invest with buyers (e.g., processors) when possible to align specs and offtake.

Which emerging markets are expected to show the fastest expansion in farming production and demand?

Fastest expansion is expected in India, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and Latin America.

These areas combine demographic growth with policy focus on food security, creating durable demand for cereals, oilseeds, feed, and animal proteins. Improving infrastructure reduces losses and unlocks exports.

New farms in these markets should plan for irrigation efficiency, storage, and disease monitoring from day one. Secure processing partners early to stabilize cash flow.

This is one of the many elements we break down in the farm project business plan.

Design rotations that protect soil and meet buyer specs.

What are the biggest risks and uncertainties that could slow down farming industry growth in the coming decade?

• Climate volatility and extreme weather disrupting yields and logistics.
• Water scarcity and competing urban/industrial demand.
• Input cost spikes (fertilizer, fuel), currency swings, and financing costs.
• Trade restrictions, sanitary barriers, and shifting subsidy regimes.
• Slow tech adoption in smallholder segments and biosecurity events.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. The Business Research Company — Agriculture Global Market Report
2. Research and Markets — Agriculture Global Market Report
3. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2025–2034
4. FAO Newsroom — Outlook on animal-source food growth
5. Global Smart Agriculture Market Report 2025–2034
6. iGrow — AI in Agriculture
7. Press Information Bureau (India) — Agriculture data
8. HySense — Countries with most agricultural land
9. Straits Research — Organic Foods Market
10. Farmonaut — Agritech Market Size 2025