Agrochemicals Market by Type (Fertilizers, Synthetic Chemicals, Biological Chemicals, Biostimulants, Plant Growth Regulators), Form (Dry, Liquid), Mode of Application (Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment, Fertigation), Crop Type - Global Forecast to 2030

The Agrochemicals Market is expected to reach $338.49 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2030. The rising demand for low-cost crop protection solutions, the growing need to increase crop yield and quality, growth in organic farming & the rising demand for organic food, growing awareness about environmental safety, and increasing focus on soil management practices drive the demand for soil conditioners, and increasing government initiatives to promote the use of biopesticides are the key factors driving the growth of the agrochemicals market. Furthermore, an increasing focus on integrated pest management and emerging economies in Asia-Pacific and Latin America are expected to offer significant opportunities for the players operating in this market.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market participants in the agrochemicals market between 2020 and 2024. The key players profiled in this agrochemicals market study are BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), Corteva, Inc. (U.S.), FMC Corporation (U.S.), Novozymes A/S (Denmark), Nufarm Limited (Australia), Syngenta AG (A Part of China National Chemical Corporation/Chemchina) (Switzerland), UPL Limited (India), Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan), Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co. Ltd. (China), Loveland Products, Inc. (A Part of Nutrien AG Solutions) (U.S.), Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), American Vanguard Corporation (U.S.), Koppert B.V. (Netherlands), Gowan Company LLC (U.S.), Biolchim SPA (Italy), Lallemand Inc. (Canada), ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. (Israel), and Isagro S.p.A. (Italy).

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Rising Demand for Low-cost Crop Protection Solutions to Boost the Growth of the Agrochemicals Market

Agrochemicals help keep plants healthy and allow for maintaining sustainable yields. Agrochemicals provide farmers with advanced and sustainable ways to keep their plants healthy from sowing to harvest. The rising demand for low-cost crop protection solutions is driven by several factors, including food security, affordability for smallholder farmers, sustainable agriculture, climate change impacts, technological advances and innovation, and government support and policy.

Food Security: With the growing global population, there is a demand for increased food production. To meet this demand, farmers need effective and affordable crop protection solutions that can combat pests, diseases, and weeds that significantly reduce crop yields.

Affordability for Smallholder Farmers: In many developing countries, smallholder farmers account for a significant portion of the agricultural workforce. These farmers often have limited financial resources and cannot afford expensive agrochemical products. Low-cost solutions, such as synthetic crop protection products, are crucial to ensuring that smallholder farmers have access to effective crop protection methods.

Sustainable Agriculture: There is a growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impacts. Sustainable agriculture is based on the use of biological pesticides and alternative methods such as integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.

Climate Change Impacts: Climate change poses additional challenges for agriculture, as it can lead to the spread of new pests and diseases. Affordable crop protection solutions help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions and mitigate the risks associated with these challenges.

Technological Advances and Innovation: Advances in technology and innovation have the potential to revolutionize crop protection practices. The development of low-cost, easy-to-use technologies, such as biological controls, precision agriculture tools, and digital solutions, can provide cost-effective alternatives to conventional crop protection methods.

Government Support and Policy: Governments and agricultural organizations play a crucial role in promoting the development and adoption of low-cost agrochemical solutions. Supportive policies, subsidies, and research funding can encourage the development of innovative and affordable solutions for farmers.

Thus, addressing the rising demand for low-cost crop protection solutions is essential for sustainable agriculture, food security, and farmers' livelihood, particularly in developing countries. Continued research, technological advancements, and collaborations among stakeholders are key to meeting this demand and ensuring the availability of low-cost crop protection solutions.

Growth in Organic Farming & the Rising Demand for Organic Food Drive the Growth of the Agrochemicals Market

Biologicals are naturally occurring compounds/agents derived from animals, plants, and microorganisms such as bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae. These compounds can control agricultural pests and pathogens. Products such as genes or metabolites from these biocontrol agents can prevent crop damage. Biologicals are eco-friendly and host-specific, giving them a key advantage over their traditional (chemical) counterparts. The use of chemical-free production alternatives has gained momentum due to consumers becoming more aware of the use of chemicals in food production and the potential hazards of chemical residues on human health. These factors are expected to boost organic farming, increasing the adoption of biologicals as a safe alternative to agrochemicals used for crop protection.

According to FIBL-IFOAM 2024, organic agriculture was practiced in 191 countries, with 76 million hectares of agricultural land managed organically by 3.7 million organic farmers as of 2024.

In organic agriculture, biologicals are the key components of integrated pest and weed management. Biologicals are usually bacterial; however, there are also fungal control agents, including Trichoderma spp. and Ampelomyces quisqualis (a control agent for Grapevine Powdery Mildew disease). Bacillus subtilis is also used to control plant pathogens. Weeds and rodents can also be controlled using microbial agents. Bacillus thuringiensis is a well-known insecticide against butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies. It has minimal effects on other organisms and is considered more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides.

Thus, growth in organic farming & the rising demand for organic food are boosting the demand for agricultural biologicals, driving the growth of this market.

Key Findings in the Agrochemicals Market Study:

In 2024, the Fertilizers Segment to Dominate the Agrochemicals Market

Based on type, in 2024, the fertilizers segment is expected to account for the largest share of the agrochemicals market. The large share of fertilizers in agrochemicals is majorly attributed to the growing demand for fertilizers such as anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and urea, the rising number of initiatives by government agencies along with increasing awareness about the need for sustainability in modern agriculture, and increasing adoption of advanced farming with drip irrigation and sprinklers. In addition, the lack of nutrients in the soil due to the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals has led to a decline in agricultural productivity. This is expected to boost the demand for fertilizers.

In 2024, the Dry Form Segment to Dominate the Agrochemicals Market

Based on form, in 2024, the dry form segment is expected to account for the larger share of the agrochemicals market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the higher use of dry form of fertilizers. Additionally, dry form agrochemicals are generally less expensive to produce, transport, and store compared to liquid form agrochemicals. They can be easily stored for longer periods without the need for special storage facilities, which results in cost savings for farmers and distributors.

The Foliar Spray Segment to Witness Highest Demand During the Forecast Period

Based on mode of application, in 2024, the soil treatment segment is expected to account for the largest share of the agrochemicals market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to its benefits, including precise placement of agrochemicals in the root zone of plants, reducing wastage, and ensuring that the plants receive the nutrients or protection they need, reduced environmental impact, long-lasting effects, enhanced root development, and reduced pest and disease pressure. In addition, soil treatment can make contaminated soil usable for agriculture and other purposes. Also, biological soil treatment processes are typically implemented at low costs. These benefits increase the preference for soil treatment among farmers.  

However, the foliar spray segment is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period of 2024–2030. The rapid growth of this segment is mainly driven by the high efficiency in the application, uniform distribution of chemicals, and minimum to no wastage of crop protection chemicals in the foliar spray mode of application.

In 2024, the Cereals & Grains Segment to Dominate the Agrochemicals Market

Based on crop type, in 2024, the cereals & grains segment is expected to account for the largest share of the agrochemicals market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the growing need to increase cereal & grain production, minimize cereal & grain loss due to pests and diseases, and the increasing use of these crops in animal feed, biofuel, and starch & ethanol production. Additionally, in many countries, governments actively support cereals & grains production due to their importance in food security. This often includes policies and subsidies that incentivize the use of modern agricultural practices, including the use of agrochemicals.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing Regional Market

Based on geography, in 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of the agrochemicals market, followed by North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific’s major market share is attributed to several factors, including the rapid growth in population, increasing demand for quality agricultural products & organic produce, and the rising need for high productivity and yield is expected to increase the consumption of agrochemicals in Asia-Pacific, especially in China, India, and Japan.

Moreover, it is also slated to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is driven by the huge area under organic cultivation, rapid population & income growth, increasing mechanization and irrigation facilities, and the presence of several organic operators. Furthermore, supportive government policies and initiatives by organizations to promote and expand the organics industry contribute to the growth of the agrochemicals market in this region.

Scope of the Report:

Agrochemicals Market Assessment, by Type

• Fertilizers
  • Nitrogenous Fertilizers
  • Phosphatic Fertilizers
  • Potassic Fertilizers
  • Agricultural Micronutrients
  • Biofertilizers
  • Other Fertilizers
• Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals
  • Herbicides
  • Insecticides
  • Fungicides
  • Other Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals
• Biological Crop Protection Chemicals
  • Bioinsecticides
  • Biofungicides
  • Bionematicides
  • Bioherbicides
  • Other Biological Crop Protection Chemicals
• Biostimulants
  • Acid-based
  • Extract-based
  • Microbial Amendments
  • Trace Minerals & Vitamins
  • Other Active Ingredients
• Plant Growth Regulators
  • Auxins
  • Gibberellins
  • Cytokinins
  • Abscisic Acid
  • Ethylene
  • Other Types
• Soil Conditioners
  • Organic
  • Inorganic
• Other Agrochemicals

Agrochemicals Market Assessment, by Form               

• Dry Form
• Liquid Form

Agrochemicals Market Assessment, by Mode of Application     

• Seed Treatment
• Foliar Spray
• Soil Treatment
• Fertigation
• Other Modes of Application

Agrochemicals Market Assessment, by Crop Type

• Cereals & Grains
  • Maize/Corn
  • Wheat
  • Rice
  • Other Cereals & Grains 
• Oilseeds & Pulses
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Other Crops 

Agrochemicals Market Assessment, by Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • U.K.
  • Rest of Europe (RoE)
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC)
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM)
• Middle East & Africa

Key Questions Answered in the Report: