Biopesticides Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Bioinsecticide, Biofungicide, Bionematicide, and Others), By Source (Microbials and Biochemicals), By Mode of Application (Foliar Application, Seed Treatment, Soil Application, and Others), By Crop (Cereals, Oilseeds, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global biopesticides market size was valued at USD 7.54 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 8.73 billion in 2024 to USD 28.61 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.99% during the forecast period. North America dominated the biopesticides market with a market share of 36.6% in 2023. Moreover, the biopesticides market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 7.34 billion by 2032, driven by rising demand for organic food, and increased use of sustainable agri-chemicals to grow crops.

Biopesticides are a type of pesticide produced from natural materials such as plants, animals, bacteria, and certain minerals used to control agricultural pests and pathogens. The global market share is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, fueled by growing awareness about the downsides of conventional pesticides and a surge in demand for sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, the growing government initiatives to support research and development activities would further fuel the growth of the market.

The sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic affected the global market as governments undertook lockdown actions and limited the movement of their masses. These actions had a significant effect on biopesticide production as factories faced supply chain interruptions and worker scarcity. The overall market growth observed interruptions and production decline due to raw material scarcity, labor shortages, and government-mandated plant shutdowns.

The global market remains to be challenged by the logistical and associated economic impacts of the pandemic. However, the effects are uneven across markets, and not all are negative. For instance, the time-being shutdown of Chinese biopesticide manufacturing plants helped producers based in India, Europe, and North America fill the void and increase their order intakes. Nevertheless, supply chain disturbances led to raw material procurement issues for several producers, especially companies dependent on Chinese raw materials, which faced significant logistical challenges.

Biopesticides Market Trends

Rising Government Support and Initiatives to Fuel the Market Growth 

Governments across the globe are increasingly acknowledging the negative impact of conventional pesticides. Biopesticides, with their natural origins and targeted action, offer a more sustainable alternative aligning with government goals for environmental protection. The product is regarded as safer compared to other conventional pesticides, and thus, in many countries, its registration requires less data and time. For instance, in India, the Central Insecticide Control Board and Registration Committee have developed simplified rules for the registration of biopesticides compared to chemical pesticide registrations in order to promote the use of biopesticide products in agriculture.

Biopesticides Market Growth Factors

Ever-rising Demand for Organic Food to Play a Crucial Role in Product Demand

Organic farming is increasingly advocated as an ideal alternative to conventional techniques to reduce the overall impact on the environment. The promising growth trajectory of organic agriculture practices is expected to benefit the future growth of bio-based pesticides with a stronger demand for organic and natural plant protection products. According to the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) survey, organic product sales surpassed USD 63 billion between 2020 to 2021, with USD 1.4 billion total growth over the year, out of which food sales accounted for about USD 57.5 billion. The strong emphasis of governments and other stakeholders on the organic and sustainable mode of farming has increased the adoption of the product.

Phase-out of Key Chemical Active Ingredients to Support the Market Growth

The usage of synthetic pesticides has recorded large-scale and widespread damage to the environment. Therefore, several government organizations have banned or set limitations on the use of some active chemical ingredients to avoid their adverse effect on the environment, human, and animal health. In addition, several governments and government bodies are highly supportive and provide funds to increase the usage of bio-based crop protection chemicals to lessen the environmental impact of pesticides. The increasing concerns regarding the use of chemical pesticides are expected to positively increase the sales of other sustainable solutions and drive the demand for the product.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Limited Shelf Life and High Costs Associated with the Product May Hamper the Market Growth

Although the product is considered to be safer for crops and the environment, it has a short or limited shelf life and a high risk of contamination. Moreover, the high maintenance requirements for some products, coupled with their high application costs as opposed to several traditional pesticides, are expected to emerge as significant obstacles to the market growth. Furthermore, the high costs of the product restrict small or marginal farmers from implementing these methods in farming practices. In addition, the application costs of the product are further increased by the additional labor costs required for its application, which is limiting the growth of the market.

Biopesticides Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Bioinsecticides Segment to Hold the Majority Share Due to New Product Developments and Economic Advantages

Based on type, the market is segmented into biofungicide, bioinsecticide, bionematicide, and others.

The bioinsecticides segment is expected to hold the major share of the global market. As compared with conventional insecticides, new product development and time associated to develop bioinsecticides is less, which provides an economic advantage to the manufacturers. Thus, economic advantage coupled with the effectiveness of controlling pests supports the strong growth of the bioinsecticides market.

The biofungicide segment is expected to grow significantly in the forecast period. The growing resistance to different chemical fungicides among fungi is expected to boost the demand for alternative efficient biopesticide products such as bio fungicides. Moreover, the regulatory limitation or ban on the usage of some active ingredients for chemical agri-inputs production is anticipated to be a favorable factor for product demand.

Compared to other biopesticides segments, awareness of bionematicides is still evolving. Educational initiatives and demonstration projects targeted at farmers and industry stakeholders are crucial for driving wider adoption.

By Source Analysis

Microbe's Ability to Enhance the Nutrient Uptake to Support Substantial Growth of Microbial Segment

Based on source, the market is segmented into microbials and biochemicals.

The microbial segment is expected to hold the major share of the global market. Microbials have proven their ability to enhance the uptake of nutrients while boosting the development of residential microbiota of plants. They can thus, ensure optimum stress tolerance and yield enhancement without requiring genetic modification, the long-term impact of which is unsustainable. Moreover, microbes with biopesticides are popularly deployed to protect crops from various plant pathogens in different cultivated environments, including nurseries, protected cultivation systems, and fields.

The biochemicals segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. These compounds target specific pest vulnerabilities, offering precise control and minimizing the harm to beneficial insects and the environment.

By Mode of Application Analysis

Foliar Application Segment to Hold Larger Revenue Chunk Due to its Sufficient Potency to Increase Plant Growth and Productivity

Based on mode of application, the market is segmented into foliar application, soil application, seed treatment, and others.

The foliar application segment is expected to secure a larger revenue chunk in the global market with strong growth projections during the forecast period. The application of the product through this method can result in quick seedling growth after germination.

Foliar spray treatment offers ease of application and can work as a preventive and curative treatment for specific deficiencies and diseases related to plant.

Crop protection agricultural biologicals are massively utilized in seed treatment to complement the chemical agri inputs. The product utilized for seed treatment is gaining popularity among growers owing to the rising awareness of microbe-based agri product treatment for improving the seed quality and reinstating the microbial variety.

By Crop Analysis

Fruits & Vegetables Segment to Exhibit a Majority Share Attributed to the Rising Demand for Organic Products

Based on crop, the market is segmented into cereals, oilseeds, fruits & vegetables, and others.

The fruits & vegetables segment is expected to hold a majority share in the global market during the forecast period. The ever-growing popularity of organic produce among consumers propels the demand for fruits & vegetables in the market. Moreover, fruits & vegetables are often more susceptible to pest damage compared to other crops, further necessitating the need for the product for safe pest control solutions.

The growing cultivation of cereals owing to their consumption as a staple food across the globe, along with the high profit associated with the cultivation of organic cereals, is projected to augment the utilization of biopesticide among cereal growers. According to the FiBL survey 2023, the organic cereal cultivation area reached more than 5.48 million hectares in 2023, which increased nearly 92% from the last decade. Moreover, the increasing area under the cultivation of organic fruits & vegetables due to growing awareness pertaining to the deployment and product’s long-term advantages owing to its economic and eco-friendly attribute is anticipated to increase its utilization for the production of various high-value crops.

The oilseeds segment is expected to grow at a steady pace during the forecast period owing to the growing economic importance of valuable crops such as soybeans, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and others. Such highly economical crops require reliable pest control to protect yield and ensure profitability.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

By region, the market is divided into the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, North America, and South America.

North America is expected to hold the major part in biopesticides market share and dominate the global market. Countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are major global consumers of the product. Consumers in the region are increasingly opting for organic food, seeking healthier options and minimizing their exposure to chemical residues. This trend has been propelling the demand for natural pest control alternatives, fueling the market growth in the region. Tightening rules and regulations regarding the usage of synthetic crop protection chemicals for environmental protection from hazardous implications are also driving the growth of the regional market. For instance, in December 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered Greenlight Biosciences' dsRNA biopesticide products, which contain the new active ingredient Ledprona, for three years. The new product developed by EPA replaces more toxic chemical-based pesticides and provides additional tools for farmers.

The Asia Pacific region is one of the highly attractive markets for biopesticides in the world and it presents a great opportunity for pesticide manufacturers. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and Australia are key markets for the product in the region. The negative effects of the use of synthetic pesticides and growing planted areas in organic farming are primary drivers for the adoption of the product in these countries. The regional market growth is expected to be driven by a growing investment by governments and key players in R&D to develop effective and environmentally friendly pesticides that can help increase yields and improve resilience.

Europe is depicting a slow but gradual growth in terms of product deployment and is the second-largest user of these products across the world. A huge population of organic food consumers and tightening regulatory restrictions related to the use of synthetic pesticides are some of the major factors boosting the growth of the market in the region. Among the European nations, France is one of the fastest-growing users. Prominent players in the market such as BASF SE, Syngenta, Certis U.S.A. L.L.C., SOLASTA Bio, and Marrone Bio Innovations have also been raising funds in order to develop biopesticide products in the region and meet the rising demand. For instance, in April 2023, SOLASTA Bio, a U.K.-based agritech company, secured an investment totalling USD 4.95 million to scale up the development of nature-inspired pesticides and expand its operations in the U.S. and U.K.

The usage of bio-based pesticides in South America is still in the nascent phase of development. Lack of technical expertise and limited availability of the product are major restraints hindering the biopesticides market growth in the region. In addition, specific regulations related to the commercialization of bio-pesticide crop protection products have not been developed, which, in turn, affects the efficacy, quality, and purity of the product. Moreover, several organizations and companies, including Brazil Agricultural Research Corporation (ABC Bio), a part of the Brazilian Association of Biological Control Companies, are promoting farmers to adopt integrated pest management and biopesticides for the purpose of combating pests and increasing crop yields. This factor is driving the market growth in the region.

List of Key Companies in Biopesticides Market

Companies Focus on Merger and Acquisitions and Collaboration to Compete

Biopesticide products are essential components in modern integrated pest management concepts to achieve the required level of crop protection from pests and diseases without causing damage to the environment and human health. The increasing demand for these products is gravitating key market players to diversify their product portfolio and distribution network to increase their market reach and consumer base. Moreover, mergers and acquisitions and collaboration are the key strategies adopted by companies to compete in the global market. For instance, in May 2023, Biobest, one of the global leaders in biological control and pollination, acquired BioWorks Inc., a U.S.-based company that specializes in the production of biorational control and nutrition products. The acquisition would accelerate Biobest Group’s expansion into biopesticides using BioWorks’ innovative portfolio of biopesticides.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• BASF SE (Germany)


• Syngenta AG (Switzerland)


• Bayer AG (Germany)


• Bioceres S.A. (Argentina)


• Novozymes (Denmark)


• Koppert Biological Systems (Netherlands)


• Floridienne SA (Belgium)


• Gowan Group (Ireland)


• Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• Certis USA LLC. (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2024: UPL Limited, an Indian multinational company, launched a bioinsecticide, Tackler. The new product helps control pests in various crops and is made from the fungus Beauveria bassiana.


• January 2024: Simbiose, a Brazilian company, announced the launch of the fungicide Frontier Control (Bacillus velezensis). The new product is a microbiological fungicide with a concentrated suspension (S.C.) formulation and is used for ground application.


• October 2023: Vestaron Corporation, a U.S.-based bioinsecticides company, raised USD 10 million in funding for new biopesticide R&D plans.


• September 2023: Croda International plc., a British speciality chemicals company, launched a new biopesticide, Atlox BS-50. The new product is a ready-to-use powder for spore-forming microbes and meets the needs of the growing biopesticide market.


• April 2022: FMC Corporation launched a new brand of biopesticides, Biológicos da FMC, in Brazil. The new brand was launched in order to find new modes of action and modern solutions as well as raise productivity for sustainable agriculture.

Report Coverage

The report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the global market and a detailed analysis of the market size and growth rate for all possible segments in the market. Along with this, the report provides an elaborative analysis of the global biopesticides market value, market dynamics and competitive landscape. Various key insights provided in the report are the overview of related markets, recent industry developments such as mergers & acquisitions, global market analysis, the regulatory scenario in key countries, and key industry trends.

Report Scope & Segmentation