How much does drone spraying cost per hectare? Prices and what they depend on
Published: 27 October 2026
What does a hectare of drone treatment really cost? Below you will find how our 2026 pricing works, how we bill, what affects the final cost and how it compares with running your own sprayer.
Drone service pricing 2026 (excl. VAT)
| Application | Price (excl. VAT) | Minimum area |
|---|---|---|
| Foliar fertiliser application | Price on request | 10 ha |
| Biostimulants and growth stimulants | Price on request | 10 ha |
| Granular fertiliser spreading | Price on request | 5 ha |
| Sowing and undersowing of cover and catch crops | Price on request | 5 ha |
| Trichogramma β 2 applications | Price on request (total) | β |
| Trichogramma β 1 application | Price on request | β |
| Orchards and plantations: biological treatment (up to 100 l of liquid/ha), where national rules allow | Price on request | 3 ha |
| Orchards and plantations: biostimulants and foliar fertilisers (up to 70 l of liquid/ha), where national rules allow | Price on request | 3 ha |
| Multispectral (NDVI) field analysis | Price on request | 10 ha |
| Application map for variable-rate spreading | Additional charge on request | with NDVI analysis |
| Comparative analysis β repeat flight during the season | Price on request | fields with NDVI analysis |
| Orchards and plantations: survey flight and orthomosaic | Price on request | 5 ha |
| Orchards and plantations: multispectral analysis with report | Price on request | 5 ha |
| Orchards and plantations: inventory of trees and shrubs with report | Price on request | β |
| Greenhouse shading | Price on request | 1 ha of roof area |
| Greenhouse washing, including removal of shading paint | Price on request | 1 ha of roof area |
| Shading + washing in one seasonal order | Price on request | 1 ha of roof area |
| Plant protection product application | quoted individually | subject to an HSE aerial application permit |
Agrodron price list 2026. Product, fertiliser and seed are not included β you can buy them yourself or order them through us.
Travel and billing rules
- Travel Travel costs depend on the location of the site and are quoted individually for each job in the UK. Please message us on WhatsApp with the location and scope of work.
- Area measured from the drone's GNSS track, not from the declared figure.
- Below the minimum we charge for a minimum area or a flat call-out fee.
- Over 100 ha (over 50 ha in orchards) and for seasonal contracts β individual terms.
- Non-standard conditions β night-time work, waterlogged ground, plots under 2 ha or widely scattered sites β individual quotation plus a mobilisation fee, price on request.
Calculation example
Foliar feeding of 25 ha of oilseed rape (where national rules allow), on a field far from our base: the price is the per-hectare rate multiplied by the area, plus travel beyond the distance included in the rate. Total: price on request, once we know the location and scope of work.
What affects the price
- Area β the more hectares in one place, the lower the rate under seasonal contracts.
- Field shape and obstacles β trees, power lines and small fields slow the work down.
- Application rate β 10 l/ha gives a different work rate from 30 l/ha.
- Type of treatment β applying plant protection products by drone is only possible where an HSE aerial application permit covers the product, crop and situation. We quote for it separately.
Is a drone more expensive than a sprayer?
Per hectare of service, often yes. When comparing, though, factor in wheel damage, especially with late passes and in fields without tramlines (according to manufacturers' data, up to several per cent of yield), no soil compaction, and the ability to work when the field is wet. In tall maize or flowering oilseed rape, a drone can be the only way to get onto the crop without driving through it. More detail in our comparison: drone application vs ground sprayer.
How to get a quote
Send us the location, area, crop and planned treatment. We will reply with a price and a date within 24 hours. Request a quote.
FAQ β frequently asked questions
How much does drone spraying cost per hectare?
At Agrodron, pricing for every service is on request and quoted in GBP, depending on the treatment, the area and the location. In the UK, applying plant protection products by drone requires an aerial application permit from HSE for the specific product, crop and situation, so we do not offer it as a standard service.
Is travel included in the price?
Travel costs depend on the location and the size of the order β price on request.
Does the price include the product or fertiliser?
No. You pay for the service, and you either buy the product yourself or order it through us.
How much does sowing a cover crop by drone cost?
Price on request, subject to a minimum area; seed cost not included.