Agricultural Surfactants Market by Crop (Cereals & Grains, Fruits & Vegetables), Substrate Type (Bio-Based, Synthetic), Type, Application - Global Forecast 2024-2030

Agricultural Surfactants Market by Crop (Cereals & Grains, Fruits & Vegetables), Substrate Type (Bio-Based, Synthetic), Type, Application - Global Forecast 2024-2030


The Agricultural Surfactants Market size was estimated at USD 1.94 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 2.08 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 7.05% to reach USD 3.13 billion by 2030.

Agricultural surfactants are chemical substances that enhance the performance of agrochemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. These surfactants facilitate better coverage, spreading, adhesion, penetration, and uptake of active ingredients in crops by reducing surface tension between two different substances. Agricultural surfactants are employed in various applications, such as crop protection chemicals to ensure proper nutrient absorption and pest management, along with use in biostimulants to boost plant growth & yield while protecting the environment. Increasing global demand for food security due to rapid population growth and advancements in precision agriculture techniques promoting sustainable farming practices has increased the adoption of agricultural surfactants. However, fluctuating raw material prices along with stringent government regulations on chemical toxicity and potential impact on non-target species or soil may limit the market growth. Besides this, investment in R&D activities focusing on eco-friendly products such as biodegradable surfactants, along with the integration of nanotechnology into surfactant solutions, is expected to provide landscape opportunities for the market.

Regional Insights

In the Americas, especially the United States and Canada, demand for agricultural surfactants is fueled by the need to enhance crop yields with sustainable agriculture practices & minimize environmental harm. Government initiatives to reduce chemical usage have led companies to develop environmentally friendly non-ionic surfactants. Meanwhile, Canada's market is propelled by pest problems and climate changes that necessitate crop protection chemicals. In the EU region, increased adoption of precision farming techniques led to significant R&D investments in efficient adjuvants and agrochemical delivery systems. Strict European Union (EU) regulations on chemical usage in agriculture have encouraged innovations in agricultural surfactants. In the Middle East & Africa, population growth and limited arable land necessitate advanced agricultural techniques. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to showcase opportunistic prospects for the market, considering the increased investments in agricultural research from countries such as China, Japan, and India to boost food productivity & meet the rising population's food demands.

Market Insights

Market Dynamics

The market dynamics represent an ever-changing landscape of the Agricultural Surfactants Market by providing actionable insights into factors, including supply and demand levels. Accounting for these factors helps design strategies, make investments, and formulate developments to capitalize on future opportunities. In addition, these factors assist in avoiding potential pitfalls related to political, geographical, technical, social, and economic conditions, highlighting consumer behaviors and influencing manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions.

Market Drivers
  • Increasing adoption of protected cultivation
  • High penetration of activator adjuvants
Market Restraints
  • Strict regulations levied by governments on the use of synthetic surfactants
Market Opportunities
  • Use of bio-based surfactants and increasing development of cost-effective pesticides
  • Inclination toward precision farming
Market Challenges
  • Adverse health impact associated with application of surfactants
Market Segmentation Analysis
  • Crop: Adoption of non-ionic surfactants for cereals & grains
  • Substrate Type: Proliferation of Bio-based agricultural surfactants derived from natural resources
  • Type: Ideal Non-ionic surfactants for use in pesticides and herbicides
  • Application : Increasing use of surfactants in insecticide formulations
Market Disruption Analysis
  • Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
  • Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
  • Pricing Analysis
  • Technology Analysis
  • Patent Analysis
  • Trade Analysis
  • Regulatory Framework Analysis
FPNV Positioning Matrix

The FPNV positioning matrix is essential in evaluating the market positioning of the vendors in the Agricultural Surfactants Market. This matrix offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining critical metrics related to business strategy and product satisfaction. This in-depth assessment empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success, namely Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

Market Share Analysis

The market share analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth assessment of the current state of vendors in the Agricultural Surfactants Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions, companies are offered a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. These contributions include overall revenue, customer base, and other vital metrics. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With these illustrative details, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Recent Developments

BASF to Expand Production Capacity for Bio-based Alkyl Polyglucosides (APGs) in Asia-Pacific and North America

BASF is expanding its global alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) production capacity by making improvements at its Bangpakong facility in Thailand and Cincinnati facility in Ohio. This expansion aims to enhance BASF's APG leadership, enabling the company to provide faster and more flexible service to customers while reducing cross-regional volume flows. This investment also reflects BASF's commitment to offering innovative bio-based and biodegradable surfactants to customers in North America.

Holiferm and Sasol Chemicals Expand Collaboration to Develop and Market Sustainable Surfactants

Holiferm and Sasol Chemicals have partnered to develop and market crop-based rhamnolipids and mannosyl erythritol lipids (MELs) as agricultural surfactants. This collaboration builds upon their previous partnership, which focused on the development of sophorolipids, another type of biosurfactant. Holiferm's process significantly reduces the carbon footprint compared to conventional surfactants.

Clariant launches 100% Bio-Based Surfactants Range Driving the Transition Towards Renewable Carbon

Clariant introduced its new collection of 100% bio-based surfactants and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) to tackle the issue of climate change effectively. This expansion of products promotes the shift toward a more sustainable bioeconomy by utilizing renewable feedstocks and achieving a Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) of at least 98%. The introduction of these bio-based products provides manufacturers with an essential solution to reduce their environmental impact, particularly in the coatings, personal care, home care, industrial, and agricultural sectors.

Strategy Analysis & Recommendation

The strategic analysis is essential for organizations seeking a solid foothold in the global marketplace. Companies are better positioned to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations by thoroughly evaluating their current standing in the Agricultural Surfactants Market. This critical assessment involves a thorough analysis of the organization’s resources, capabilities, and overall performance to identify its core strengths and areas for improvement.

Key Company Profiles

The report delves into recent significant developments in the Agricultural Surfactants Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Air Products Inc., Akzo Nobel N.V., Aquatrols Corporation of America Inc., BASF SE, Bayer AG, Brandt Co., Inc., CHS Inc., Clariant AG, Corteva, Inc., Croda International PLC, Evonik Industries AG, Garrco Products Inc., Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, Huntsman Corporation, Interagro (Uk) Ltd, Kao Corporation, Lamberti S.p.A., Loveland Products, Inc. by Nutrien, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Nufarm Ltd, Oxiteno S.A., Solvay S.A., Stepan Company, The Dow Chemical Company, and Wilbur-Ellis Company Inc..

Market Segmentation & Coverage

This research report categorizes the Agricultural Surfactants Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:
  • Crop
  • Cereals & Grains
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Substrate Type
  • Bio-Based
  • Synthetic
  • Type
  • Amphoteric
  • Anionic
  • Cationic
  • Non-Ionic
  • Application
  • Fungicides
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Region
  • Americas
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • United States
  • California
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Australia
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Europe, Middle East & Africa
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Qatar
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom


Please Note: PDF & Excel + Online Access - 1 Year


1. Preface
1.1. Objectives of the Study
1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage
1.3. Years Considered for the Study
1.4. Currency & Pricing
1.5. Language
1.6. Stakeholders
2. Research Methodology
2.1. Define: Research Objective
2.2. Determine: Research Design
2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument
2.4. Collect: Data Source
2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation
2.6. Formulate: Data Verification
2.7. Publish: Research Report
2.8. Repeat: Report Update
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Overview
5. Market Insights
5.1. Market Dynamics
5.1.1. Drivers
5.1.1.1. Increasing adoption of protected cultivation
5.1.1.2. High penetration of activator adjuvants
5.1.2. Restraints
5.1.2.1. Strict regulations levied by governments on the use of synthetic surfactants
5.1.3. Opportunities
5.1.3.1. Use of bio-based surfactants and increasing development of cost-effective pesticides
5.1.3.2. Inclination toward precision farming
5.1.4. Challenges
5.1.4.1. Adverse health impact associated with application of surfactants
5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis
5.2.1. Crop: Adoption of non-ionic surfactants for cereals & grains
5.2.2. Substrate Type: Proliferation of Bio-based agricultural surfactants derived from natural resources
5.2.3. Type: Ideal Non-ionic surfactants for use in pesticides and herbicides
5.2.4. Application : Increasing use of surfactants in insecticide formulations
5.3. Market Disruption Analysis
5.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.4.1. Threat of New Entrants
5.4.2. Threat of Substitutes
5.4.3. Bargaining Power of Customers
5.4.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
5.4.5. Industry Rivalry
5.5. Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
5.6. Pricing Analysis
5.7. Technology Analysis
5.8. Patent Analysis
5.9. Trade Analysis
5.10. Regulatory Framework Analysis
6. Agricultural Surfactants Market, by Crop
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Cereals & Grains
6.3. Fruits & Vegetables
7. Agricultural Surfactants Market, by Substrate Type
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Bio-Based
7.3. Synthetic
8. Agricultural Surfactants Market, by Type
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Amphoteric
8.3. Anionic
8.4. Cationic
8.5. Non-Ionic
9. Agricultural Surfactants Market, by Application
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Fungicides
9.3. Herbicides
9.4. Insecticides
10. Americas Agricultural Surfactants Market
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Argentina
10.3. Brazil
10.4. Canada
10.5. Mexico
10.6. United States
11. Asia-Pacific Agricultural Surfactants Market
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Australia
11.3. China
11.4. India
11.5. Indonesia
11.6. Japan
11.7. Malaysia
11.8. Philippines
11.9. Singapore
11.10. South Korea
11.11. Taiwan
11.12. Thailand
11.13. Vietnam
12. Europe, Middle East & Africa Agricultural Surfactants Market
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Denmark
12.3. Egypt
12.4. Finland
12.5. France
12.6. Germany
12.7. Israel
12.8. Italy
12.9. Netherlands
12.10. Nigeria
12.11. Norway
12.12. Poland
12.13. Qatar
12.14. Russia
12.15. Saudi Arabia
12.16. South Africa
12.17. Spain
12.18. Sweden
12.19. Switzerland
12.20. Turkey
12.21. United Arab Emirates
12.22. United Kingdom
13. Competitive Landscape
13.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023
13.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023
13.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis
13.3.1. BASF to Expand Production Capacity for Bio-based Alkyl Polyglucosides (APGs) in Asia-Pacific and North America
13.3.2. Holiferm and Sasol Chemicals Expand Collaboration to Develop and Market Sustainable Surfactants
13.3.3. Clariant launches 100% Bio-Based Surfactants Range Driving the Transition Towards Renewable Carbon
13.4. Strategy Analysis & Recommendation
14. Competitive Portfolio
14.1. Key Company Profiles
14.2. Key Product Portfolio

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