The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that David Bruntz, Vice President of the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), is considering purchasing drones to monitor cattle on his Nebraska ranch. However, upon searching, he found that only Chinese tech giant DJI could offer a solution “at a reasonable price.”
The Tech Giant DJI
DJI is one of the most well-known drone brands today and is dominating the global drone market. It is also one of the most globally influential Chinese companies and a representative of the country’s tech sector.
This Shenzhen-based company is said to be dominating the US drone market. DJI currently offers a range of specialized solutions for agricultural applications, such as seeding, pesticide spraying, and livestock monitoring. Their products are quickly gaining widespread adoption in the agricultural sector.
The appeal and innovation of DJI’s professional drones lie in their seamless integration of critical core technologies developed for consumer drones into professional drones. In this way, DJI’s enterprise drones remain user-friendly while performing professional tasks. From aerial monitoring and surveying of roads, buildings, and bridges to conducting rescue missions, DJI has enhanced the potential of drone technology to improve and even transform how industries operate worldwide.
A DJI product
Additionally, since 2015, DJI has invested in developing agricultural plant protection drones. In the past six years, the company has launched the MG-1P, T16, T10, and T30 plant protection drone series, with the T30 launched in November 2020, to help Chinese farmers increase their income. DJI has made inroads into agriculture and quickly taken the lead. In 2020, about 70,000 DJI plant protection drones completed about 2 million square kilometers, covering about 0.8 million square kilometers of arable land.
“We Have No Other Choice…”
Like many Nebraska ranchers, Bruntz is concerned about supply chain disruptions, but he currently feels he has no other choice. Compared to similar products manufactured in the US, Chinese products are not only affordable but also offer superior performance.
“They really have an advantage in many technology areas,” Brents frankly stated.
He also mentioned that it is “neither easy nor cost-effective” for local ranchers to switch to using American-made drones and other agricultural tech equipment.
In fact, Chinese technology is present in more areas than just drones in US agriculture. Cattle ranchers in Nebraska revealed that their smart ear tags and control systems also “heavily utilize” Chinese technology and components.
Data from the drone market research company Drone Industry Insights shows that 70% to 80% of the world’s commercial drones are manufactured in China, which dominates the production of critical components such as sensors and speed controllers.
American farmers using DJI drones for seeding
A report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in December 2025 stated that DJI is the world’s largest commercial drone manufacturer, accounting for 90% of the US commercial drone market. The company is actively exploring agricultural and other industrial applications as new revenue growth points.
Take the Agras T100, launched by DJI last year, for example. This drone is designed for large-scale commercial growers. It is equipped with a 100-liter liquid spraying system and a 150-liter seeding system, capable of carrying a 100 kg load, and is equipped with multiple radars and image recognition systems. It can not only operate at night but also strongly supports precision agriculture applications.
China’s drone industry continues to develop rapidly, bringing significant benefits to production and people’s lives.
However, the US is not easily detached from China’s drone industry.
Chinese customs data shows that the country exported 3.72 million drones in 2024, with a total value of $2.1 billion. Drone Industry Insights says Chinese companies also dominate the supply of many drone components, with some foreign manufacturers heavily reliant on Chinese suppliers for parts.
Previously, buyers told the Financial Times that European manufacturers’ technology lagged behind China. They tried to produce European drones but couldn’t reach the same level of technology as China.
