The Soil Conditioners Market is expected to reach $8.8 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. The growth of the soil conditioners market is driven by the decrease in arable land, increasing focus on soil management practices, growth in organic farming, and the rising demand for organic food. However, low awareness about soil conditioners restrain the growth of this market. Additionally, the increasing utilization of soil conditioners in emerging economies is expected to create growth opportunities for the players operating in the soil conditioners market.
Key Players
The report includes a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market players in the past four years. The key players profiled in the soil conditioners market are BASF SE (Germany), Loveland Products, Inc. (U.S.), Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Aquatrols ( A Part of Lamberti S.P.A.) (U.S.), Sanoway GmbH (Austria), Jaipur Bio Fertilizers (India), Syngenta AG ( A Part of China National Chemical Corporation/ChemChina) (Switzerland), UPL Limited (India), FMC Corporation (U.S.), and Omnia Specialities Pty (Australia).
Decreasing Arable Land and the Growing Need to Increase Crop Yield Accelerating the Use of Soil Conditioners
Arable land is one of the most important resources for agricultural production. Numerous cultivation techniques have emerged over the years, resulting in the overutilization of land resources. This increasing use of land and the constantly rising demand for improved agricultural output have resulted in land exploitation, with degradation in the quality and a decrease in the quantity of land available for agriculture.
According to the Global Land Assessment of Degradation report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), nearly two billion hectares worldwide have been degraded since the 1950s. Land degradation is one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems, which will continue to worsen without rapid remedial action. Globally, about 25% of the total land area has been degraded. When land is degraded, soil carbon and nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere, making land degradation a significant contributor to climate change. Scientists have warned that 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost annually due to unsustainable agriculture practices (Source: Global Environment Facility). If this trend continues, 95% of the land areas could become degraded by 2050.
Africa and Latin America have the highest proportion of degraded agricultural land. Countries whose economies largely depend on agriculture have registered negative trends in land availability. The latest data published by the Indian Agriculture Ministry shows that as many as 20 states in India reported a decrease of up to 790,000 hectares of cultivable land in the last 4–5 years. This decrease is mainly attributed to the rising diversion of cultivable land for non-agricultural purposes, including construction, industries, and other development activities.
According to the World Bank, by 2050, the world will have more than 9.8 billion people to feed, an increase of around 40% from current levels. This increase in the demand for food is expected to exert immense pressure on the already decreasing arable land. Therefore, it is imperative to improve agricultural soil quality using soil conditioners.
Soil conditioners are added to soil to improve its properties and control erosion. Soil conditioners improve soil structure and aeration and increase the soil’s water and nutrient-holding capacity. They also help loosen compacted, hardpan, and clay soils and release locked-up nutrients. Soil conditioners can also raise or lower pH levels. Thus, the growing global food demand and the declining availability of arable land are expected to boost the utilization of soil conditioners, driving the growth of this market.
Key Findings in the Soil Conditioners Market Study:
In 2023, the organic segment is expected to account for the larger share of the soil conditioners market
Based on type, the soil conditioners market is segmented into organic (polysaccharides and other organic soil conditioners) and inorganic (minerals, gypsum, polymers). In 2023, the organic segment is expected to account for the larger share of the soil conditioners market. The large market share of this segment can be attributed to the concerns regarding environmental and public health stemming from the use of chemical products, the increasing demand for chemical residue-free agricultural products, and supportive government initiatives aimed at promoting organic agricultural practices.
Moreover, the organic segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
In 2023, the water-soluble segment is expected to account for the larger share of the soil conditioners market
Based on solubility, the soil conditioners market is segmented into water-soluble and water-insoluble. In 2023, the water-soluble segment is expected to account for the larger share of the soil conditioners market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the benefits offered by water-soluble soil conditioners, including their effectiveness in retaining water, stabilizing soil, and mitigating the risk of nutrient buildup in farmlands.
Moreover, the water-soluble segment is also expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
In 2023, the loam soil segment is expected to dominate the soil conditioners market
Based on soil type, the soil conditioners market is segmented into loam, sand, clay, silt, and peat soil. In 2023, the loam soil segment is expected to account for the largest share of the soil conditioners market. The segment’s large market share is mainly attributed to the widespread adoption of soil conditioners for loam soil due to its low water retention and nutrient-holding capacity and frequent use for rotational crops.
However, the clay soil segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the growing need to overcome the problems of poor aeration and drainage in clay soil.
In 2023, the cereals & grains segment is expected to account for the largest share of the soil conditioners market
Based on crop type, the soil conditioners market is segmented into cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, fruits & vegetables, and other crops. In 2023, the cereals & grains segment is expected to account for the largest share of the soil conditioners market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increased demand for cereals and grains, which serve as staple foods in numerous countries, and the growing utilization of these crops in applications such as animal feed, biofuel production, and starch and ethanol manufacturing.
However, the oilseeds & pulses segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the increasing global production of oilseeds and pulses, the rising consumer demand for organic produce free from chemical residues, and the growing adoption of natural soil conditioners specifically tailored for oilseeds and pulses.
Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing regional market
Based on geography, in 2023, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of the soil conditioners market. Asia-Pacific’s significant market share is attributed to the region’s large arable land, rapid population growth, consumer awareness about soil quality, the rise of organic farming, and increased awareness regarding chemical hazards.
Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Scope of the report:
Soil Conditioners Market Assessment, by Type
- Organic
- Polysaccharides
- Other Organic Soil Conditioners
- Inorganic
Soil Conditioners Market Assessment, by Solubility
- Water-soluble
- Water-insoluble
- Hydrogels
- Other Water-insoluble Soil Conditioners
Soil Conditioners Market Assessment, by Soil Type
- Loam Soil
- Sand Soil
- Clay Soil
- Silt Soil
- Peat Soil
Soil Conditioners Market Assessment, by Crop Type
- Cereals & Grains
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Oilseeds & Pulses
- Other Crop Types
Soil Conditioners Market Assessment, by Geography
- North America
- Europe
- France
- Germany
- U.K.
- Spain
- Italy
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Australia
- Japan
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Chile
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Key questions answered in the report: