Microgreens are young, tender vegetable greens that are approximately 1-3 inches tall. They are harvested 7-14 days after germination when they have two fully developed cotyledon leaves. Often called vegetable confetti. Microgreens are basically used to enhance the color, texture, or flavor of different foods such as pasta, pizza, omelets, and salads, due to their intense aromatic flavor and variety of colors and textures. They constitute a number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The microgreens market size was valued at $1,276.0 million in 2019 and is estimated to reach $2,049.3 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 11.1% from 2021 to 2028.
An increase in spending for premium food products, healthy functional & nutritional food, and growth in adoption of indoor vertical and greenhouse farming are some of the factors driving the microgreens market growth during the forecast period. Indoor vertical and greenhouse farming is majorly used for the production of microgreens as it requires intense care through a controlled environment. Furthermore, growth in the cosmetics and personal care industry is likely to drive the growth of the product market during the forecast period, as microgreens-based oils and ingredients are majorly demanded the production of consumer items such as shampoo and skincare products. The rise in the adoption of farm mechanization and growth in awareness regarding the high-tech farming methods including hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics are expected to favor the growth of the microgreens market.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the growth of the microgreens market. Sales of microgreens have witnessed a significant decrease due to disturbed supply chains and closers of restaurants and grocery stores, which are vital distributing points and end-users of the microgreens.
According to microgreens market analysis, the market is segmented on the basis of type, farming, distribution channel, end-user, and region. On the basis of type, the market is categorized into broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, arugula, peas, basil, radish, cress, and others. By farming, it is segregated into indoor vertical farming, commercial greenhouses, and others. According to the distribution channels, it is divided into retail stores, farmers markets, and others. By end-user, the market is segmented into residential and commercial. Region-wise, it is analyzed across North America (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Russia, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)
On the basis of type, the broccoli segment has been gaining major share in the global microgreens market and is expected to sustain its share during the forecast period. This is majorly attributed to health benefits associated with broccoli microgreens such as fighting inflammation, cancer prevention, improved heart health, and improved digestion. Broccoli microgreens rich dark greens are a great addition to any mix due to their tangy flavor. Growth in health-conscious people and awareness regarding the health benefits of the broccoli microgreens are likely to surge the growth of the global microgreens market through the broccoli microgreens segment.
By Type – Broccoli Microgreens segment held the major share of 24.6% in 2019
According to microgreens market trends, depending on farming, the vertical farming segment was valued at $752.9 million in 2019 and is expected to reach $1,221.9 million by 2028, with a CAGR of 11.2%.
Indoor vertical farming is the cultivation of agricultural produce in controlled environments such as in buildings, where crops are provided with the required environments such as temperature, light, appropriate water, and growth medium. This farming method has been gaining major traction in the global product market as it allows growers to take production in any season and it increases the productivity of the land. According to the United Nations, the world population is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 and it is not possible to fulfill the food demand with conventional farming methods. Currently, agriculture production is decreasing day by day, owing to decreasing fertility of agricultural land and the depletion of natural resources.
By Farming – Indoor Vertical Farming segment holds the major share of 59.0% in 2019
On the basis of distribution channels, the retail store segment is projected to grow at $986.3 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 11.4%. Supermarket/hypermarkets and grocery stores are where people can find fresh microgreens. Furthermore, an increase in demand for microgreens for household consumption and growth in awareness regarding the recipes that include microgreens in the home are likely to drive the growth of the product market through retail stores. Furthermore, online retail stores are gaining significant popularity where people can order microgreens according to their daily needs.
By Distribution Channel – Retail Stores segment holds the major share of 46.8% in 2019
On the basis of end-user, the commercial segment is projected to grow at $1,408.8 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 10.4%. Microgreens are majorly served to customers through restaurants as people are increasingly demanding highly nutritious food. Chefs in the restaurants use microgreens as flavoring and garnishing agents, owing to their tasty flavor and crunchy texture. Microgreens are used to enhance the nutritional value, flavor, and texture of pasta, omelets, pizzas, burgers, and salads. Furthermore, owing to rich sources of minerals and vitamins, it is used in skincare and cosmetic products.
By End User – Commercial segment holds the major share of 72.5% in 2019
Region-wise, North America dominated the microgreens market in 2019 and is expected to sustain its dominance throughout the microgreens market forecast period. The U.S. has been gaining a major share in the North American market and is expected to sustain its share during the forecast period. The rise and evolution of wellness-focused diets, which include green vegetables salad, and organic-based food items is expected to attract people toward the microgreens. In the U.S., the demand for microgreens is witnessing growth at a significant rate, owing to health benefits associated with its consumption such as reduce the risk of heart diseases, chronic diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Consumers are increasingly opting for high protein consumption, resulting in strong requirements for high protein and low carb food products. Thus, vegetable growers are focusing on the cultivation of microgreens along with vegetables and increasing area under protected cultivation. For instance, according to the FAO 2017 and Hickman 2019, the area under protected cultivation in the U.S. is 15,000 ha, which is majorly used for growing tomatoes, herbs, cucumber, capsicum, and strawberry. Furthermore, the area under protected cultivation in Mexico is 40,862 ha. Thus, the growing area under protected cultivation in North America is expected to favor the growth of the product market during the forecast period.
By Region – North America region holds the major share of 41.2% in 2019
The players operating in the global microgreens market have adopted various developmental strategies to expand their microgreens market share, increase profitability, and remain competitive in the market. The key players profiled in this report include AeroFarms, Fresh Origins, Gotham Greens, Madar Farms, 2BFresh, The Chef’s Garden Inc., Farmbox Greens LLC, Living Earth Farm, GoodLeaf Farms, and Bowery Farming.
Key Benefits For Stakeholders
The report provides a quantitative analysis of the current market trends, estimations, and dynamics of the market size from 2019 to 2028 to identify the prevailing opportunities.
Porter’s five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
In-depth analysis and the market size and segmentation assist to determine the prevailing microgreens market opportunities.
The major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the market.
The market player positioning segment facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players in the microgreens industry.
Key Market Segment
By Type
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Arugula
- Peas
- Basil
- Radish
- Cress
- Others
By Farming
- Indoor Vertical Farming
- Commercial Greenhouses
- Others
By Distribution Channels
- Retail Stores
- Farmers Market
- Others
By End Users
- Residential
- Commercial
By Regions
North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Mexico
Europe
- Russia
- Spain
- Italy
- France
- Germany
- UK
- Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Australia
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
LAMEA
- Latin America
- Middle East
- Africa
Source: valuates
Useful Article: Taking Microgreens To The Next Level: A Family’s Dream In The US
