US sales of new agricultural spray drones fell 60% in 2025 — from 8,950 units in 2024 to 3,711 — as federal restrictions choked off supply from Chinese market leader DJI, according to the American Spray Drone Coalition (ASDC).

"That was not because of a lack of demand," ASDC president Eric Ringer said. "That was because of a lack of supply." Operators, unsure whether American-built machines can match Chinese reliability, are snapping up existing DJI stock wherever it clears ports, he added: "A lot of the established operators don't quite know who to trust for a tool that they rely on for their businesses."

The slump stems from two policy shocks. First, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has periodically blocked DJI shipments on forced-labor grounds — allegations DJI calls "categorically false." Second, ten months ago the FCC banned sales of new models of foreign-made drones and critical components. A further FCC proposal issued in July would restrict foreign-made drones over 55 lbs that use LiDAR, potentially covering models already approved for sale.

What does the FCC proposal cover?

The FCC frames the July proposal as targeting "military-grade" drones. But its definition, Ringer noted, sweeps in previously authorized foreign-made drones with:

• thermal imaging and LiDAR sensing
• swarming capability and docking stations
• takeoff weights above 55 lbs
• aerosol dispensing of "economic poison" — defined as any substance for preventing, destroying or mitigating pests, or for use as a plant defoliant or drying agent.

DJI, in its comments on the proposal, called that "a roundabout way of describing every agricultural drone that can spray pesticides or spread seeds."

Why can't US manufacturers fill the gap?

US-sourced components such as batteries and motors cost "orders of magnitude more" than Chinese parts, Ringer said, and manufacturers lack clarity on what they may legally source. "They're only getting clarity when they can engage with the FCC directly through the conditional approval process," he said. "Even then, it's very hard to make bill of materials decisions." US drone makers "are still trying to figure out how to produce drones at a cost that will work for the market."

Chinese rivals XAG, EAVision and Talos — the latter two entering the US registered fleet for the first time in 2025 — absorbed some of DJI's lost volume, but demand still exceeds supply.

What is the ASDC asking for?

In comments to the FCC, the coalition urges the agency to "exclude FAA Part 137 agricultural spray drones from its proposed 'military-grade' prohibitions and provide a structured, multi-year off-ramp." It also cites survey data showing 49% of agricultural operators will not pay a premium for US-made hardware, and recommends directing tariff revenues from foreign drone imports into a direct-buyer rebate program for compliant US technology.

Ringer supports building US drone capability for national security and competitiveness reasons, but disagrees with the approach's pace: "We need to make sure that US farmers can remain globally competitive. Adoption of drones in Brazil in ag is now outpacing the US and we run the risk of being left behind."

Registrations and acreage keep climbing

Despite the sales crash, registrations of ag spray drones rose 45.6% in 2025, and US acreage sprayed climbed 58.7% to 16.4 million acres, per a new ASDC report. Registrations lag sales by roughly a year, Ringer noted, so the 2025 sales slump will surface in later registration data. DJI's share of annual registrations fell from 83.8% in 2023 to 52.4% in 2025. He also expects 2026 data to show a shift toward larger tanks, boosting per-drone productivity.

Who is building American?

Domestic players now scaling include:

• Exedy Drones — a unit of Japan's EXEDY Globalparts, repurposing its Michigan automotive engineering base for US-made spray drones
• Revolution Drones — founded by North Carolina farmer Russell Hedrick to build domestically assembled machines
• Hylio — Texas maker accelerating "Made in America" production
• Agri Spray Drones — Missouri dealer turned manufacturer, planning licensed US production of EA Vision designs
• Ceres Air — Vermont firm redesigning China's Vector AGR Black Betty platform with larger payloads, proprietary software and radar/LiDAR
• American Autonomy — Ringer's new software venture, building US-centric operating systems with flight and agronomic data kept onshore; Exedy Drones is its first partner

ASDC is collecting 2026 sales data now, and Ringer says he will withhold judgment on any domestic rebound until those numbers land.