China Agricultural Sprayers Market Overview, 2030

The agriculture sprayer market in China has evolved significantly over the past several decades, driven by the country’s rapid agricultural modernization, mechanization policies, and rising demand for food security. Historically, Chinese agriculture relied heavily on manual labor, with handheld and knapsack sprayers dominating pesticide application in rice paddies, wheat fields, and vegetable farms, particularly in southern and eastern provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Guangdong. During the 1980s and 1990s, China implemented reforms aimed at increasing farm productivity and mechanization, which led to the gradual introduction of tractor-mounted and trailed sprayers in medium and large-scale farms, particularly in northern provinces like Heilongjiang and Hebei, where cereal and soybean cultivation is extensive. Government programs under the “Agricultural Mechanization Development Plan” encouraged local manufacturing and adoption of mechanized equipment, significantly expanding the sprayer market. By the 2000s, industrial-scale agriculture and agroholdings began incorporating self-propelled sprayers for high-capacity operations, while urban and peri-urban farms increasingly explored battery-operated and electric sprayers for vegetables and high-value crops. The expansion of greenhouse cultivation in provinces such as Shandong, Hebei, and Sichuan further diversified the market, creating demand for compact, precision, and eco-friendly spraying systems. In recent years, the Chinese government’s emphasis on sustainable agriculture, pesticide reduction, and environmental protection including policies under the “Zero Growth in Pesticide Use by 2020” initiative has accelerated adoption of GPS-guided sprayers, UAV/drone spraying technologies, and low-drift nozzles to enhance efficiency and reduce chemical overuse. Today, China’s agriculture sprayer market reflects a trajectory from manual, labor-intensive methods to mechanized, high-capacity, and technology-driven solutions, balancing large-scale field operations with precision and environmentally sustainable practices.

According to the research report ""China Agriculture Sprayer Market Outlook, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the China Agriculture Sprayer market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.27% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The agriculture sprayer market in China is influenced by several interrelated dynamics driven by the country’s large-scale agricultural production, policy initiatives, technological adoption, and environmental sustainability goals. Market drivers include the need to enhance crop protection and productivity across China’s vast arable land, particularly in provinces such as Heilongjiang, Shandong, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, which produce cereals, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables. Rising labor costs and urban migration have increased the demand for mechanized sprayers, including tractor-mounted, trailed, and self-propelled units, to reduce manual labor while improving efficiency. The government’s mechanization and modernization policies, such as the Agricultural Mechanization Development Plan and subsidy programs under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, have facilitated the adoption of high-capacity sprayers, precision technologies, and UAV/drone-based spraying in high-value crops and greenhouse operations. Technological advancements are key market dynamics, with GPS-guided sprayers, variable-rate application systems, and drone spraying solutions gaining traction, especially for orchards, vineyards, and protected cultivation in provinces like Shandong, Sichuan, and Hebei. Regulatory and environmental factors also play a major role: the Chinese government’s push for pesticide reduction under the “Zero Growth in Pesticide Use by 2020” policy encourages adoption of low-drift nozzles, precision spraying, and sustainable chemical application practices. Market restraints include high initial investment costs for mechanized and drone-based sprayers, inconsistent adoption rates across smallholder farms, and maintenance challenges in remote regions. Opportunities lie in expanding drone spraying, integrating IoT and smart farm management systems, and upgrading existing machinery to meet environmental compliance and labor-efficiency objectives. Overall, China’s agriculture sprayer market is driven by a combination of mechanization, sustainability mandates, precision agriculture adoption, and government-supported modernization initiatives, making it one of the fastest-evolving markets in Asia.

In China, the agriculture sprayer market segmented by product type reflects the country’s diverse farming systems, ranging from smallholder vegetable and fruit farms to large-scale cereal and soybean operations. Handheld and knapsack sprayers remain widely used among smallholder farmers, particularly in southern and eastern provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, where fragmented plots, vegetables, and high-value crops require precision application. These sprayers are low-cost and portable, making them accessible to small farms, though their market share is gradually declining with mechanization. Tractor-mounted sprayers dominate medium and large farms in northern and northeastern provinces like Heilongjiang, Hebei, and Shandong, where wheat, corn, and soybean cultivation is extensive. These sprayers offer higher efficiency, coverage, and compatibility with existing tractors, driving their adoption in mechanized farming systems. Trailed or pull-type sprayers are particularly relevant in regions with large field sizes and industrial-scale farms, providing greater tank capacity and durability for continuous operations, especially in cereal, oilseed, and corn production. Self-propelled sprayers have gained traction among agro-industrial holdings, offering high-speed, high-capacity spraying with precision control, particularly in the northeast and central China, where mechanization and government-supported modernization programs are strongest. UAV and drone sprayers, though still emerging, are expanding rapidly for high-value crops, orchards, vineyards, and greenhouse applications in provinces like Shandong, Hebei, and Sichuan, as part of China’s push for pesticide reduction and precision agriculture under initiatives such as “Zero Growth in Pesticide Use by 2020.” Overall, China’s product-type segmentation demonstrates a clear evolution from manual and small-scale sprayers to mechanized and drone-based solutions, reflecting the country’s dual agricultural structure of smallholders and large industrial farms, coupled with technological modernization and environmental sustainability initiatives.

In China, the agriculture sprayer market segmented by application reflects the country’s broad agricultural diversity, encompassing large-scale cereal production, orchards, greenhouse farming, and urban horticulture. Field crops constitute the largest segment, particularly in northern and northeastern provinces such as Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan, where wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice are extensively cultivated. Large-scale farms in these regions rely on tractor-mounted, trailed, and self-propelled sprayers to ensure high coverage efficiency, reduce labor dependence, and integrate precision agriculture technologies like GPS guidance and variable-rate application systems. Orchards and vineyards, prominent in provinces such as Shandong, Sichuan, Hebei, and Yunnan, represent a high-value application segment, where air-blast sprayers, tractor-mounted units, and emerging UAV/drone sprayers are used to achieve precise canopy coverage for apples, pears, grapes, and citrus. These technologies help reduce pesticide use while maintaining fruit quality in alignment with government-mandated sustainability goals. Greenhouse crops, concentrated in Shandong, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Sichuan, increasingly utilize compact battery-operated and electric sprayers for vegetables, fruits, and flowers grown in protected environments. Precision spraying and drones are being piloted to optimize chemical use and labor efficiency. Turf and gardening, though a smaller segment, is growing in urban landscaping, sports facilities, and recreational areas, where handheld and small electric sprayers dominate due to portability and ease of use. Overall, China’s application-based segmentation demonstrates a dual market structure: mechanized and high-capacity solutions dominate extensive field crop operations, while precision, compact, and drone-based spraying solutions are increasingly adopted in orchards, greenhouse cultivation, and urban horticulture, reflecting both scale and technological modernization.

In China, the agriculture sprayer market segmented by source of power reflects a transition from traditional manual methods to mechanized and technologically advanced solutions, driven by the country’s push for agricultural modernization and sustainability. Manual sprayers remain prevalent among smallholder farmers, particularly in southern and eastern provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, where vegetables, fruits, and small plots require precision and low-cost solutions. Although still widespread, manual sprayers are gradually being replaced by mechanized and electric alternatives as farms modernize. Battery-operated and electric sprayers are increasingly adopted in greenhouse operations and high-value horticultural farms in provinces like Shandong, Hebei, and Sichuan, offering portability, reduced emissions, and precise chemical application in enclosed or small-scale environments. Solar-powered sprayers, while emerging, are being piloted in smallholder farms in southern and western regions with sufficient sunlight, aligning with government initiatives promoting renewable energy and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Fuel-operated sprayers dominate large-scale cereal, oilseed, and field crop operations in northern and northeastern provinces, where tractor-mounted, trailed, and self-propelled sprayers are critical for high-capacity, efficient coverage over thousands of hectares. These systems are increasingly equipped with GPS-guidance, boom-height control, and variable-rate technology to improve efficiency and reduce chemical waste, supported by government subsidy programs under the Agricultural Mechanization Development Plan. Overall, China’s sprayer market exhibits a dual trend: sustained reliance on fuel-based mechanized systems for large-scale agriculture, while battery-operated, electric, and emerging solar-powered sprayers gain traction in high-value, greenhouse, and environmentally sensitive farming, reflecting the country’s modernization, precision agriculture adoption, and regulatory push for sustainability.

In China, the agriculture sprayer market segmented by farm size reflects the country’s dual agricultural structure, consisting of large-scale commercial farms and numerous smallholder operations, each influencing demand differently. Large farms, particularly concentrated in northern and northeastern provinces such as Heilongjiang, Hebei, Shandong, and Henan, dominate cereal, corn, soybean, and rice production. These farms primarily adopt tractor-mounted, trailed, and self-propelled sprayers equipped with GPS guidance, boom-height control, and variable-rate technology to optimize chemical application over extensive fields. Adoption of these high-capacity sprayers is often supported by government subsidies, mechanization programs, and cooperative initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency and yield. Medium-sized farms, distributed across central, eastern, and southern provinces, typically cultivate a mix of vegetables, fruits, and grains, and rely on a combination of tractor-mounted sprayers and compact battery-operated units for orchard, vineyard, and greenhouse applications. These farms gradually adopt precision spraying technologies to balance cost, efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations. Small farms, which make up a significant portion of Chinese agriculture, particularly in southern and eastern provinces, continue to rely heavily on manual and knapsack sprayers for vegetables, fruits, and high-value crops. Government initiatives promoting mechanization, low-emission equipment, and precision agriculture are gradually influencing these farms, though adoption is slower due to capital constraints. China’s farm-size segmentation highlights a dual market structure: large commercial farms drive demand for high-capacity, technologically advanced sprayers, while medium and small farms sustain demand for portable, affordable, and precision-oriented equipment suited for diverse crops and greenhouse operations.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Agricultural Sprayers Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Self-Propelled
• Tractor-Mounted
• Trailed/Pull-Type
• Handheld/Knapsack
• UAV/Drone Sprayers

By Application/Usage
• Field Crops
• Orchards and Vineyards
• Greenhouse Crops
• Turf and Gardening

By Source of Power
• Manual
• Battery-Operated/Electric
• Solar-Powered
• Fuel-Operated

By Farm Size
• Large
• Medium
• Small Show more