Plant Tissue Culture Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

In 2021, the plant tissue culture market was valued at approximately US$ 475.88 million and is anticipated to grow to around US$ 863.47 million by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2022 to 2028.

The market's expansion is significantly driven by the rising adoption of transgenic plants and the increasing demand within the floriculture sector.

Floriculture, a specialized area of ornamental horticulture, focuses on the cultivation and commercialization of flowers, decorative plants, and floral arrangements. Plant tissue culture techniques are employed to cultivate flowers that meet consumer preferences. According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the total wholesale crop value for all growers in the U.S. was US$ 4.42 billion in 2019. The USDA's 2020 Floriculture Crops Summary indicated that the wholesale value of floriculture crops reached US$ 4.80 billion, marking an 8% increase from the previous year.

In contemporary times, flowers are increasingly recognized for their nutritional benefits, as they possess nutraceutical and organoleptic properties. The high concentration of pigments in flower corollas, particularly flavonoids and carotenoids, has evolved to attract pollinators and is associated with significant nutraceutical activity, especially in terms of antioxidant properties. Edible flowers such as roses, citrus blossoms, lavender, hibiscus, and nasturtium are becoming more popular among health-conscious consumers. These flowers are rich in biologically active compounds, including vitamins A and C, riboflavins, niacin, and essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, all of which contribute positively to health. The production of these beneficial flowers relies on genetic engineering and tissue culture methods. The growing interest in flowers as nutritious food additives is a key factor propelling the plant tissue culture market forward.

Plant tissue culture serves as a valuable platform for tapping into the vast potential of various medicinal plants. However, the in-vitro culture technologies have faced challenges due to limited production capabilities and the constrained generation of new medicinal compounds. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on agricultural systems and related livelihoods worldwide during 2020 and 2021. Lockdowns and social distancing measures severely disrupted plant tissue culture operations, with variations in impact depending on geographic location and crop type. Staffing reductions were necessary to adhere to social distancing guidelines and to protect vulnerable workers from SARS-CoV-2 infection. These challenges significantly impeded the growth of the plant tissue culture market during the pandemic.

The plant tissue culture market is categorized by type into instruments, media & reagents, and consumables. In 2021, the instruments segment accounted for the largest market share. This segment includes various equipment such as incubators, centrifuges, microscopes, sterilizers, and more. The media & reagents segment is further divided into Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium, among others. Additionally, the consumables segment is projected to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

When examining applications, the plant tissue culture market is divided into plant research, agriculture, forestry & technical grade, and other categories. The agriculture segment held the largest market share in 2021, while the plant research segment is expected to achieve a CAGR of 9.8% from 2022 to 2028.

In terms of end users, the market is segmented into greenhouse, field, and laboratory applications. The field segment dominated the market in 2021, while the greenhouse segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2028.