Crop Protection Chemicals Market by Type (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides & Bactericides), Origin (Synthetic & Biopesticides), Form, Mode of Application (Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment), Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

Crop Protection Chemicals Market by Type (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides & Bactericides), Origin (Synthetic & Biopesticides), Form, Mode of Application (Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment), Crop Type and Region - Global Forecast to 2029

The global market for crop protection chemicals is estimated at USD 79.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 101.0 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. The growth of the crop protection chemicals market is driven by the imperative to increase agricultural productivity amidst a growing global population, mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop health, adopt advanced agricultural technologies, comply with regulatory standards, ensure economic viability in agriculture, meet consumer demands for quality and safety, and capitalize on market opportunities for innovative solutions. These factors collectively underscore the essential role of crop protection chemicals in modern agriculture and their ongoing significance in ensuring food security and sustainability.

“Heavy crop loss due to pest attacks”

Pest attacks by insects, fungi, weeds, and pathogens pose a significant threat to global crop production, causing substantial losses each year. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), pests destroy an estimated 20% to 40% of global crop yields annually, resulting in billions of dollars in economic damage and jeopardizing food security, especially in regions heavily reliant on agriculture for livelihoods and sustenance. The Fall Armyworm (FAW) has emerged as a particularly destructive pest, wreaking havoc on maize crops across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. FAO reports indicate that FAW infestations can lead to yield losses ranging from 8% to 20% in maize production alone. In Africa, where maize is a staple crop, these losses can exacerbate food shortages and cause severe economic setbacks for farmers.

To combat these threats, crop protection chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides play a pivotal role in effectively managing pest and disease outbreaks. These chemicals are essential for preventing and controlling infestations, thereby minimizing crop losses and ensuring stable yields. Farmers apply these chemicals either preventively or curatively, depending on pest pressure and crop growth stages, to maintain crop health and productivity. In summary, the use of crop protection chemicals is indispensable in modern agriculture to mitigate the devastating impact of pests and diseases, safeguarding global food production and economic stability for farming communities worldwide.

“In 2023, foliar spray dominated the crop protection chemicals market within the mode of application segment. “

Foliar sprays are highly effective in directly targeting pests, diseases, and weeds that affect above-ground parts of plants. This mode of application allows crop protection chemicals to be applied directly onto leaves, stems, and other aerial parts where pests and pathogens typically reside. This targeted approach ensures efficient and rapid action against threats, minimizing damage and maximizing crop yields. Foliar sprays are versatile and can be used across a wide range of crops, including field crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. They offer flexibility in application timing and frequency, allowing farmers to adapt treatments based on crop growth stages, pest pressure levels, and environmental conditions. This adaptability enhances their utility in diverse agricultural settings and contributes to their widespread adoption. Foliar sprays are relatively easy to apply using standard spraying equipment, such as handheld sprayers, tractor-mounted sprayers, or aerial application systems. Farmers and agricultural professionals often prefer foliar sprays due to their convenience, effectiveness, and proven track record in crop protection. The availability of a wide range of foliar-applied products across herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and growth regulators further supports their dominance in the market. Manufacturers continue to innovate and develop new formulations tailored for foliar application, addressing specific pest and disease challenges faced by growers.

“Within the form segment of crop protection chemicals market, liquid form is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.”

Liquid formulations of crop protection chemicals are favored for their ease of application. They can be easily mixed with water and sprayed uniformly over large areas using various spraying equipment, including ground sprayers and aerial application methods. This ease of application contributes to efficient coverage of crops, ensuring effective pest, disease, and weed control. Liquid formulations typically facilitate better crop penetration and absorption compared to solid formulations. This allows active ingredients to reach target pests or pathogens more effectively, leading to quicker action and improved control outcomes. Enhanced absorption also reduces the risk of run-off and environmental contamination, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices. Market preferences and farmer demand also drive the dominance of liquid formulations in the crop protection chemicals market. Farmers often prioritize products that are convenient to handle, store, and apply, which liquid formulations fulfill effectively. Additionally, the availability of a wide range of liquid formulations across herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other categories supports their widespread adoption in diverse agricultural settings.

“The crop protection chemicals market in North America is expected to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period.”

North America is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, with widespread adoption of advanced technologies such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and digital farming solutions. These technologies enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of crop protection practices, driving continuous demand for newer and more sophisticated crop protection chemicals. North America faces diverse climate conditions and pest pressures that necessitate robust crop protection strategies. Insect pests like the corn earworm and diseases such as soybean rust can significantly impact crop yields if not effectively managed. Crop protection chemicals offer reliable solutions to mitigate these risks, thereby maintaining agricultural productivity and farmer profitability. Investments in research and development (R&D) continue to drive innovation in crop protection chemicals tailored to North American crops and farming practices. Companies invest in developing products that address specific regional challenges, such as herbicide-resistant weeds or emerging pests, thereby sustaining market growth.

The Break-up of Primaries:

By Value Chain Side: Demand Side – 40% and Supply Side – 60%

By Designation: CXOs – 30%, Managers – 25%, Executives – 45%

By Region: North America – 25%, Europe – 25%, APAC – 25%, South America – 15%, and RoW - 10%

Key players in this market include BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), FMC Corporation (US), Syngenta Group (Switzerland), Corteva (US), UPL (India), Nufarm (Australia), Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd (Japan), Albaugh LLC (US), Koppert (Netherlands), Gowan Company (US), American Vanguard Corporation (US), Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd (Japan), PI Industries (India), and Chr. Hansen A/S (Denmark).

Research Coverage:

The report segments the crop protection chemicals market based on mode of application, crop type, type, form, origin, and region. In terms of insights, this report has focused on various levels of analyses—the competitive landscape, end-use analysis, and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss views on the emerging & high-growth segments of the crop protection chemicals market, high-growth regions, countries, government initiatives, drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, solutions, services, key strategies, contracts, partnerships, and agreements. New product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and recent developments associated with the crop protection chemicals market. Competitive analysis of upcoming startups in the crop protection chemicals market ecosystem is covered in this report.

Reasons to buy this report:

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall crop protection chemicals market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. The report provides insights on the following pointers:

Analysis of key drivers (increasing need of food security for the rising population, advancement in farming practices and technologies, and heavy crop loss due to pest attacks), restraints (pesticide residue problems and stringent government regulations) opportunities (rapid growth in the biopesticides market, immense opportunities in developing countries, and integrated pest management (IPM)), and challenges (evolution of biotechnology and increasing acceptance of GM crops and pest resistance).

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on research & development activities and new product launches in the crop protection chemicals market.

Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets – the report analyses the crop protection chemicals market across varied regions.

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the crop protection chemicals market.

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and product offerings of leading players like BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), FMC Corporation (US), Syngenta Group (Switzerland), Corteva (US), UPL (India), Nufarm (Australia), Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd (Japan), Albaugh LLC (US), Koppert (Netherlands), Gowan Company (US), American Vanguard Corporation (US), Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd (Japan), PI Industries (India), Chr. Hansen A/S (Denmark), Certis USA L.L.C (US), Sipcam Oxon Spa (Italy), Biobest Group NV (Belgium), Vestaron Corporation (US), BIONEMA (UK), Wynca Group (China), Lier Chemical Co., Ltd (China), HELM AG (Germany), Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co., Ltd (China), Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd (China).