Pesticide Residue Testing Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis by Type (Herbicides, Fungicides, Insecticides, and Others), by Food Tested (Meat & Poultry, Dairy Products, Fruits & Vegetables, Processed Foods, and Others), by Class (Organochlorines, Organophosphates, Carbamates, Organonitrogens, and Others), by Technology (LC-MS/GC-MS, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, and Others), and Regional Forecast till 2032

The global pesticide residue testing market is growing with increasing concern for food safety and security among consumers. The testing entails finding and measuring pesticide contents in food items. It helps to ensure that food products are safe for consumption. Owing to multiple factors, including the involvement of regulatory authorities, strict government laws, growing consumer awareness of food safety, and expanding demand for clean-label products, the demand for pesticide residue testing is growing rapidly across the world.

Pesticide Residue Testing Market Driver

Increasing Awareness of Food Safety & Quality to Propel the Market

Governments and regulatory authorities are implementing strict regulations and guidelines to provide safe and healthy food to consumers. Therefore, the stakeholders in the food industry need to hold various food safety test certificates to achieve clearance to market or sell their products on retail shelves. Additionally, growing concern for safe and pesticide-free products among consumers as they have become more conscious about food quality and the product demand is gradually growing globally.

Severe instances of foodborne illnesses linked to pesticide residues have underscored the necessity for rigorous testing and monitoring procedures. To comply with import and export regulations, food and agriculture organizations mandate stringent quality control measures, including comprehensive testing for pesticide residues. According to the World Health Organization, food contamination resulted in an estimated 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths worldwide each year, highlighting the critical need for these safety protocols. (May 2022)

Pesticide Residue Testing Market Restraint

High Complexities and Investments to Impact the Market Growth

The high cost of innovative testing technologies and equipment can be challenging for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Furthermore, to conduct tests and handle advanced machinery, companies need to hire a skilled workforce. It may create more operating expenses for key players. Additionally, the complexity and diversity of regulatory standards across various countries create substantial hurdles, as businesses must negotiate and comply with a wide range of norms. This regulatory fragmentation raises operational costs and slows market entry, particularly for exporters dealing in international trade. Furthermore, the lack of infrastructure and technological capabilities in developing countries will further hamper market growth.

Pesticide Residue Testing Market Opportunity

Government Initiative Projects to Drive the Market in the Upcoming Years

Increasing technological developments in food safety testing to develop cost-effective and efficient testing are making pesticide residue testing easier. Furthermore, governments are investing sufficient funds and policies to develop advanced infrastructure and support the industry players in food safety testing. For instance, the European Union's Horizon 2020 program allocates substantial funding for research and innovation in food safety technologies, including pesticide residue testing. In the U.S., the USDA's Pesticide Data Program (PDP) supports the monitoring of pesticide residues in food, fostering advancements in testing methodologies. Under this program, the USDA collected around 10,665 samples from 23 commodities. The globalization of the food sector also presents numerous opportunities as exporters strive to comply with severe laws imposed by importing countries to gain access to new markets.

Key Insights

• Overview of Global Pesticide Residue Testing Market


• Supply Chain Analysis


• Regulatory Analysis


• Industry SWOT Analysis


• Key Industry Development


• Qualitative Analysis related to COVID–19

Segmentation

Analysis by Type

Based on type, the market is fragmented into herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and others.

The herbicides segment leads the global market due to their widespread use in agriculture for weed control, which necessitates frequent and rigorous testing to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The dominance stems from a high demand for crops with minimal weed interference, particularly in large-scale farming operations.

Fungicide-related testing is one of the fastest growing segments, with the growing importance of the product in the prevention of fungal infections of agriculture crops. A rise in the demand for high-value crops such as fruits and vegetables, which are prone to fungal attacks, further accelerates the need for fungicide residue testing. Increasing fungicide demand in fruit & vegetable crops is likely to propel fungicide-related pesticide residue testing across the globe.

Analysis by Food Tested

Based on food tested, the market is subdivided into meat & poultry, dairy products, fruits & vegetables, processed foods, and others.

The fruits and vegetables segment dominates the market, owing to their high consumption rates and susceptibility to pesticide use during cultivation. Stringent laws and consumer preferences for fresh products with lower/no chemical contamination drive the demand for residue testing in the fresh fruits & vegetables category. Furthermore, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables across the world is driving the segment growth over the upcoming years.

The processed foods segment is anticipated to expand at the highest growth rate during the forecast period. With the increasing consumption of processed foods, as they are more convenient and nutritious, food safety-related testing, including pesticide residue testing, is becoming popular globally. Processed foods often contain a combination of components from multiple sources, including grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, which demand extensive testing to assure safety and compliance.

Analysis by Class

Based on class, the market is fragmented into organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, organonitrogens, and others.

The organophosphates segment leads the market. The segment’s growth is primarily driven by organophosphates' widespread usage in modern agriculture. Its acute toxicity necessitates rigorous testing to meet safety standards. The testing market for organophosphates is growing as regulatory bodies tighten permissible limits due to their potential health risks.

Organonitrogens are experiencing steady expansion, driven by their use in a variety of crop protection treatments and the requirement for extensive residue analysis to assure compliance with changing regulations. Therefore, organonitrogens-related safety tests are emerging globally due to increasing safety concerns and regulatory updates.

Analysis by Technology

Based on technology, the market is divided into LC-MS/GC-MS, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and others.

The LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) segment dominates the market due to its high sensitivity, accuracy, and capacity to detect and quantify numerous pesticide residues at the same time. These advanced technologies are preferred for their precision in confirming trace levels of contaminants, making them necessary for meeting stringent regulatory standards.

Another significant segment in the market is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which is experiencing rapid growth due to the versatility and efficiency of the technology in separating and identifying pesticide residues in complex food matrices. Furthermore, HPLC technology is projected to grow, which will be continued by the rising demand for advanced, accurate, and reliable pesticide residue testing methods.

Regional Analysis

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Based on region, the market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America holds the largest share of the global pesticide residue market. The extensive regulatory requirements and abundant investment in food safety monitoring programs, such as the USDA's Pesticide Data Program, are primarily driving the market in the region. The government’s strict regulations and growing awareness of consumers about food safety will significantly drive the market over the upcoming years.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing market for pesticide residue testing, which is driven by increased agricultural activity, rising export demand, and growing consumer concerns about food safety. Countries such as China and India are spending considerably in updating their testing facilities and adopting international standards to improve their food safety measures. It will further contribute to market growth in the near future. Therefore, Asia Pacific shows the highest growth potential for the pesticide residue testing market.

Key Players Covered

• Eurofins Scientific SE (Luxembourg)


• Bureau Veritas S.A. (France)


• SGS S.A. (Switzerland)


• Intertek Group plc (U.K.)


• ALS Limited (Australia)


• Mérieux NutriSciences (U.S.)


• AsureQuality (New Zealand)


• Silliker Inc. (U.S.)


• TÜV SÜD (Germany)

Key industry development

• In July 2024, Eurofins Scientific, a leading international group of laboratories providing testing and support services to the pharmaceutical, food, environmental, and consumer products industries, acquired Labormar. Through this acquisition, Eurofins expands its global network of laboratories and strengthens its presence in Latin America.


• In July 2024, SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance), a leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company, acquired Gossamer, a food safety testing laboratory. Through this acquisition, the company focused on enhancing its presence in the American market.