Mycotoxin Testing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Pathogen Type (Aflatoxin, Patulin, Zearalenone, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, Deoxynivalenol, and Others), By Technology (Chromatography and Spectroscopy-based, Immunoassay-based, and others), By Application {Food (Cereals, Grains and Pulses, Nuts, Seeds & Spices, Fruits & Vegetables, Dairy Products, and Others) and Feed (Cereals and Cereals by products, Seeds and Seed products, Forage and Silage, and others)}, and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global mycotoxin testing market size was valued at USD 1.23 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 1.32 billion in 2024 to USD 2.40 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.69% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the mycotoxin testing market with a market share of 32.52% in 2023. Moreover, the mycotoxin testing market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 362.67 million by 2032, driven by high focus of major food safety authorities in the country on testing various food varieties with any kind of toxins and chemicals.

Mycotoxins are chemical compounds released by fungi and are commonly found in food and feed grains. These toxin-containing foods, if ingested, can cause disease and death among humans and other animals. Major crops, such as cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, and coffee beans, are known to produce mycotoxins, including Aflatoxin, Patulin, Zearalenone, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, Deoxynivalenol, and others. To limit consumer exposure, developed and emerging economies undertake stringent regulatory measures, including crop safety testing, to ensure product safety among consumers.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the food and feed supply chain due to border closures, production sites shutdowns, and government restrictions, leading to a decline in global food and feed production and trade. In addition, the food service industry faced closures, while the retail sector (other than food products) experienced significant losses. Thus, the global mycotoxin testing market witnessed a decline in revenue owing to border closures, reduced food and feed trade, and production slowdowns due to lockdown measures.

Mycotoxin Testing Market Trends

Rising Awareness Toward Food Safety in Emerging Markets to Fuel Market Growth

Globally, food and foodborne illnesses are on the rise, with internet accessibility and new research published by experts and biotechnologists contributing to rising awareness. The flourishing biotechnology industry facilitates the development of new technologies and analysis of different types of mycotoxin pathogens, fueling the demand for mycotoxin regulations in emerging countries and updates to regulatory standards in developed countries. For instance, in February 2024, DSM-Firmenich, one of the leading companies in mycotoxin testing services and products, conducted its annual mycotoxin prevalence survey on a global scale for 2023.  The increasing consumer inclination toward sustainable, organic, and healthy food products has contributed to increased demand for food safety testing among producers and traders. This highlights the importance of testing and food safety measures to protect public health.

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Mycotoxin Testing Market Growth Factors

Increasing International Trade of Cereals and Feed Grains to Support Market Growth

The rapid growth in food trade underscores the importance of fair trade practices, increasing the demand for stringent regulations on mycotoxin. Several factors play a vital role in regulating mycotoxin limits in food and feed, such as food consumption, trade, toxicological and occurrence data, sampling, analysis methodology, and geopolitical, socio-economic, and environmental issues. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and other regulatory bodies have been taking actions and updating regulations to ensure food safety and limit mycotoxin contamination thus increasing the demand for testing.

Rising Awareness of Food Safety and Rapid Climate Change is Driving Global Growth

The rapidly changing consumer trends influence global food consumption, production, trade, and distribution, reflecting shifts in lifestyles, income, rapid technological advancement, and climate conditions. These changing consumer trends can significantly disrupt or improve food safety. Furthermore, the global food market has recorded a rising awareness of foodborne hazards, which can be generated throughout the supply chain and lead to acute or fatal illness among consumers. The rising awareness is fueled by increasing initiatives by organizations such as FAO, WHO, and others. For instance, in February 2019, FAO, WHO, and AU jointly kick-started its first International Food Safety Conference in Addis Ababa to promote research, development, and awareness related to food safety, followed by its international forum launch on food safety in Geneva in April 2019. In addition, the changing climatic conditions are one of the significant factors as mold infection or mycotoxin contamination in feed and food is usually caused by the combination of rising environmental temperature with extreme precipitation. These factors increase stress among plants such as cereals, grains, seeds, and others.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Equipment and Lack of Laboratories in Developing Countries to Restrain Market Growth 

Asia Pacific region is one of the leading food and feed producers. However, limited technological integration and investment in the development of advanced laboratories in this region are restraining the global market’s growth. In addition, the higher cost attributed to chromatography-based tests is a significant barrier owing to the high cost of equipment required to set up the laboratories. Furthermore, chromatography-based testing requires well-trained professionals. Thus, a limited workforce in this field restraints market growth. For instance, as per the World Health Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa must develop its technology significantly to trace, track and test mycotoxin contamination. Furthermore, they need to improve training and sensitization actions.  

Mycotoxin Testing Market Segmentation Analysis

By Pathogen Type Analysis

Aflatoxin Segment to Dominate the Market Owing to Presence in Several Major Crops Globally

By pathogen type, the market is categorized into Aflatoxin, Patulin, Zearalenone, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, Deoxynivalenol, and others. Among these, Aflatoxin accounts for the largest market share as it is one of the most tested and researched mycotoxins, among others. This toxin is predominantly found along with other mycotoxins in several food products, which include groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs, other dried foods, spices, and several other crops. It is also one of the most potent toxins found in food and is also known for its carcinogenic effects.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is another major mycotoxin that is found in cereals such as rice, wheat, corn, and others. These toxins are found in crops that are grown in temperate regions and are associated with several health problems. Since cereals are major crops that are both exported and consumed in huge volumes, the need for testing such toxins is increasing rapidly, which in turn is leading to a high growth rate during the forecast period.

Ochratoxins are available in a wide range of crops, which include wheat, corn, coffee, cocoa, wine, beer, pulses, spices, dried fruits, and others. Exposure to this toxin through dietary intake can cause metabolism disorders and acute toxicity among animals. The toxin is also able to survive different stages of food processing in industries, and hence, detection of this toxin at an early stage is essential.

By Technology Analysis

Chromatography And Spectroscopy-Based Technology Accounts for the Majority of the Market Share due to Better Accuracy

By technology, the market is categorized into chromatography and spectroscopy-based, immunoassay-based, and others. Chromatography and spectroscopy-based technology account for the highest market share among different technologies used for pathogen detection. As this method is highly efficient and accurate in testing the samples, it is widely used for testing a wide range of food products.

Immunoassay-based techniques are the second most widely used method for assessing the levels of mycotoxin present in food. Such conventional techniques help to detect even lower concentrations of mycotoxins present in food and feed products. The major drawback of these techniques is that the cost of equipment is high, and they may require a longer time to produce quantifiable results. Rapid tests are also becoming popular and are projected to proliferate in the future. These tests are fast and generate results in a short time span. They are also suitable for consumers who may not have access to testing facilities. However, the major disadvantage associated with rapid tests is the lower levels of accuracy than conventional tests. Hence, manufacturers are investing in developing newer and faster methods to test and detect abnormalities in particular food samples using rapid test kits.

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By Application Analysis

Food Application Accounts For the Highest Market Share Owing to the Growing Consumption of Cereals and Other Crops Among Consumers Globally

By application, the market is categorized into food and feed segments. Among these categories, the food segment is anticipated to account for the highest market share during the forecast period. Among different food products, cereals, grains, and pulses account for the largest market share among other crops. The global population is expanding rapidly, and a significant proportion of such consumers are present in Asia Pacific. China, India, and Japan are major producers and consumers of cereal such as wheat, rice, corn, barley, and others. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, and Deoxynivalenol are predominantly found in such cereal crops, thus leading to stringent monitoring of such crops. Hence, the testing of cereal crops is expected to increase in the future as well. 

Among animal feed, cereal products such as corn, sorghum, and wheat are used to manufacture animal feed products. As these cereals are susceptible to attacks from a wide range of species of fungi, the application of testing in animal feed is also increasing.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Geographically, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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Asia Pacific is currently the leading market, valued at USD 0.40 billion in 2023, and is projected to hold a prominent mycotoxin testing market share during the forecast period. The region is one of the largest producers of crops and commodities in the world. Emerging economies such as China and India are the major rice, wheat, barley, and corn manufacturers. Thus, maintaining the safety and security of crop production in the region is paramount for global food security. The different climatic conditions across the region’s extensive agricultural lands spread across different temperate zones result in varied distribution of toxigenic fungi. Thus, government organizations are investing in researching the relationship between fungal communities and the presence of mycotoxins to detect and prevent mycotoxin contamination in food grains.

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Europe is the second largest market for mycotoxin safety testing. In Europe, the countries unified their mycotoxin regulatory standards to ensure effective enforcement of regulatory standards across the region. This helped to ease the intra-trade and inter-trade activities in Europe. Healthier snacking trends, especially in the Netherlands, the U.K., France, Spain, and Poland, have increased consumer demand for crops such as tree nuts and fruits. Products such as groundnuts are not produced commercially in Europe, thus resulting in increasing dependency of these countries on Asian countries such as China and India to meet their domestic demand. Some of these imported food crops tested for safety were found to have high levels of aflatoxin contamination. Hence, there is a strong requirement in the region to invest in food safety testing technology so that harmful toxins present in the food can be detected at a very early stage of the supply chain.

Mycotoxin contamination of food causes significant economic losses to North American countries and impacts food security. As per data provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), mycotoxins affect 25% of the global agricultural produce and result in a USD 1 billion loss per year. Aflatoxins, Zearalenone, Fumonisins, and Trichothecenes are the major mycotoxin groups impacting crop yield in the U.S. The FDA oversees the testing of domestically produced food products and has established safety levels for aflatoxins in various crops while also advising food manufacturers on advanced agricultural practices to prevent contamination.

Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of cereal grains among South American nations. The country is one of the largest producers of maize, rice, wheat, and other products. The rapid expansion in agriculture and the restructuring of distribution and agri-product processing industries paved the way for the agricultural boom. However, the prevalence of tropical and subtropical climatic regions across vast agricultural lands makes it susceptible to weather change and varying humidity levels, thus resulting in a suitable environment for fungal growth. Therefore, grain drying and storing becomes susceptible to mycotoxin contamination due to variations in humidity levels. Thus, effective management of the mycotoxin levels in the food grains is essential to ensure food safety in the region.

The regulatory limits for mycotoxin in the Middle East & Africa are not well-defined. The export of agricultural food products from the African region often fails to meet the safety standards established in the European and U.S. markets. Limited knowledge and expertise about mycotoxin and its testing standards, lack of investment in the research and development of new testing methodologies and, poor infrastructure in the region, fragmented regulatory standards in different African countries are some of the factors that are further impacting the trade activities resulting in revenue loss for the farmers. The region depends on the standards set by other countries due to the lack of transparency on regulatory guidelines in African countries. Hence, the mycotoxin testing market growth remains minimal in the region.

List of Key Companies in Mycotoxin Testing Market

Merger and Acquisition Strategy Adopted by the Key Market Players to Support Industry Expansion

The global mycotoxin testing market exhibits a moderately consolidated structure with a mix of large established players and smaller regional companies. The market is expected to continue to consolidate in the future as smaller companies are acquired by larger ones or exit the market due to competition. The key players in the market, such as Eurofins Scientific, SGS S.A., Bureau Veritas, Intertek Group, ALS Ltd., and PerkinElmer, Inc., are focusing on mergers and acquisitions and establishing new laboratories to increase their footprint in the global marketplace. For instance, in April 2022, ALS Limited., acquired CORPORACIÓN LABER, S.L., a company providing technical laboratory and consulting services in Spain and Portugal. With the acquisition of LABER, ALS expanded its presence in Spain, developing innovative services to new market sectors such as the fisheries industry.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• ALS Limited (Australia)


• Bureau Veritas (France)


• Charm Sciences, Inc. (U.S.)


• EMSL Analytical, Inc. (U.S.)


• IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group (U.S.)


• Intertek Group PLC Solutions (U.K.)


• Krishgen BioSystems (India)


• PerkinElmer, Inc. (U.S.)


• Premier Analytical Services (U.K.)


• SGS S.A. (Switzerland)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS: 

• January 2024: Creative Diagnostics, a leading manufacturer and supplier of critical assay reagents, antibodies, and conjugates for food and feed toxicology analysis, announced the launch of its all-new reagents. These reagents are compatible with aflatoxins B1/M1 ELISA Kits, Aflatoxin Total ELISA Kits, and Aflatoxin B1 Screen Tests.


• June 2023: IEH Laboratories and Consulting Group announced the acquisition of SL Stanlab, a German laboratory specializing in comprehensive bacteriology and food hygiene services. The acquisition would help IEH grow the company’s network of European laboratories and further enhance its testing capabilities to serve current and prospective clients better.


• March 2023: Bureau Veritas opened its fifth Microbiology Laboratory located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The new laboratory offers Rapid Pathogen testing (E.coli O157:H7, Salmonella & Listeria) and Indicators (Generic E.coli/Coliforms, Total Plate Count, Yeast & Mold). The expansion of the company’s food testing and certification business in Canada enhanced its capabilities across North America.


• April 2022: Charm Sciences announced the release of a new Fumonisin test strip designed for the pet food sector, ROSA FAST5-X Fumonisin Quantitative Test (FUMQ-FAST5-X). The new launch outlined the need for dependable mycotoxin test kits specific to the Pet Food industry.


• September 2020: Charm Sciences, Inc. launched the Charm Myco Case, enabling Charm’s mycotoxin tests from any location. The new customizable Myco Case consists of a ROSA Quad Incubator, Bluetooth Adapter, a Charm EZ-M system, printer, centrifuge, pipettes, graduated cylinder, and all disposable supplies. It helps to detect DON (vomitoxin), fumonisin, aflatoxin, zearalenone, and  T-2/HT-2 toxins.

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The global mycotoxin testing market research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the market and a detailed analysis of global market share, size, segmentation, analysis, and growth rate for all potential segments. The report also provides an elaborative industry analysis of different countries’ markets. The report provides various key insights, an overview of testing industry, market dynamics, SWOT analysis, recent industry developments such as mergers & acquisitions, regulatory scenarios in key countries, and key market trends. Additionally, it presents a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape.

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