Microgreens Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The global microgreens market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.90% over the forecast period to reach US$19.073 billion in 2027 from US$11.953 billion in 2020. There has been a surge in consumer awareness among consumers to consume and eat healthy and nutritious food products. Various public and private research institutions have enhanced and propelled their capacity to study and analyze a consumer’s preference regarding food products. Companies and institutions have begun to realize that there is a huge and widespread awareness among the public, regarding their food choices. The “healthy” word has gained significant traction in the last few years. The United States Food and Drug Administration has regulated the term “healthy” since 1993 and defines it concerning fat content. There were some changes made in 2016, that defined and differentiated the categories of fat present in food. A food product should contain lower fat content if it wants to be in a healthier category. The American Dietetic Association stated that there were no good or bad foods and a person’s regular and daily diet should be considered for overall judgment and definition. It has been found that the average consumer is willing to buy healthier food products, even if the product comes at a substantial cost or price.

Studies and research on different types of vegetables have registered considerable growth in the last few years. Health and fitness-conscious consumers are buying healthier and more nutritious vegetables such as greens, microgreens, and others. Several studies and surveys state that there has been an urge for organic and locally sourced products. Microgreens are a novel vegetable category that has registered significant growth in the last few years. With the rise of the middle-class population and the urge and willingness to spend more capital and resources, the global microgreen market has a bright and vivid prospect in the coming years. They are known as green leafy vegetables, which are harvested at their first stage of growth and contain pleasant textures, flavors, and exotic colors. They are generating global approval as a novel culinary ingredient, which is used to improve edible garnishes and salads and is also used to enhance other types of dishes. Despite their considerably higher price, the demand for these vegetables is significant. These vegetables are classified as niche products. Microgreens are rich in vitamins and nutrients and exhibit a significant number of antioxidant properties in their more developed types. It contains more nutrients than other green vegetables. They help in the reduction of heart-related diseases, diabetes, specific types of cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease. Microgreens are also environmentally friendly and sustainable practices are happening worldwide, to boost these vegetables' growth and cultivation. These vegetables require minimum energy and water for their growth and production, and they can be produced annually.

Broccoli holds a significant share in the global microgreen market owing to its extensive healthy and more nutritious qualities. It is also known as a cruciferous vegetable in several regions. In the United States, several types of broccoli are widely consumed. The colour of this vegetable ranges from dark green to deep sage, and some of the types also show slightly purplish textures. De Cicco and Calabrese are some of the popular types of broccoli in the United States. There have been several research studies conducted in various institutions and centres to discover and find the health and nutritious benefits of this type of food. Broccoli exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and can help in preventing and minimizing various types of cancer in the body, although this development is at a novel stage and several studies are required to study the positive effects of the product. It contains abundant minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients that help in the development of antioxidant properties in the body.

Broccoli is one of the few vegetables that contain all types of antioxidants. It also aids to enhance detoxification and helps in digestion as well as cardiovascular support. Broccoli has become widely popular and many countries are growing and cultivating it for agricultural and farming purposes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, China and India accounted for 73% of the global production of broccoli in 2017. China is a leading producer of broccoli and produced around 10.4 million metric tonnes, followed by India, which produced 8.6 million metric tonnes in 2017. The USA, Spain, Mexico, and Italy are secondary producers, with each nation’s production being around 1 million metric tonnes or less in 2017. California is a major producer of broccoli in the United States and has 92% of the total share in the country. The total global production was around 26 million metric tonnes in 2017. This shows that broccoli will play an imperative role in the growth of the microgreen market.

Vertical farming will have an indispensable role in the growth of the microgreens market in the coming years. With the rising global population and surging urbanization, there is a widespread demand for arable and agricultural land to meet the food requirements and demand. Conventional practices have led to various environment-related problems such as deforestation, water scarcity, and loss of habitat. According to the World Bank, the world lost 502,000 sq. miles of land and forest between 1990 and 2016. The development of sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure has become imperative in recent years. Vertical farming is becoming widely accepted and favoured in recent years, as it oversees the production of high-value crops that provide more quality and yield than conventional farming. It utilizes proper usage of resources like nutrients, water, time, and space, thereby minimizing carbon footprint and effects. Vertical farming doesn't need considerable arable or agricultural land to grow crops. The hydroponic type of vertical farming is generating major growth because it doesn't require soil as a medium for the roots. According to the data given by the Food and Agriculture Organization, there were about 2.3 million sq. feet of indoor-related farms globally.

Geographically, North America and Europe hold a substantial share of the market on account of the early adoption of technology coupled with rising awareness about vertical farming. Also, with the decreasing agricultural land in various developed economies, the demand for microgreens is further anticipated to witness significant growth in the coming years.

The Latest Trends and Developments:

• In November 2020, Urban Oasis, a Swedish vertical farming company, raised USD 1.2 million to build and construct their initial Mega farm which will increase the production by 15 to 20 times. The novel facility would be completely automated and operational by the end of 2020. It will become a major growth and cultivation area for microgreen vegetables such as kale and Bok Choi microgreens.
• In September 2020, a designer developed a smart garden for the cultivation and growth of microgreen vegetables, known as “Solace.” It is a sustainable and scalable solution to cultivate and grow food in compact and small spaces. The design uses automatic lighting and moisture to grow microgreen vegetables such as a mat. The appliance and the system are integrated with an inherent app that guides a user through different harvesting phases.
• In October 2021, SuperValu announced the introduction of two new hydroponically grown products grown in Ireland. SuperValu is the first retailer to deliver vertically farmed hydroponic microgreens to market. The two new products - Signature Tastes Italian Style Microgreen Mix and Signature Tastes Microgreen SuperMix - are now available on shelves across Ireland.

Covid-19 Impact:

Covid-19 had a positive impact on Global Microgreen Market. Amid the pandemic, owing to the increasing number of active cases, a paradigm shift was observed in the dietary habits of many. The increasing health and hygiene awareness led people to consume more green vegetables and nutritious home-cooked food. Similarly, microgreens, rich in fibre, vitamin E & K, and anti-oxidants, witnessed an increasing demand during the pandemic and are expected to grow further during the projected period.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Peas
• Basil

By Farming

• Indoor Farming
• Commercial Greenhouses
• Vertical Farming

By End-Use

• Food & Beverage
• Cosmetics

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Europe
• Germany
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• France
• Italy
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• India