Market Overview
Agricultural biologicals market includes an eco-friendly farming process involving crop rotation and recycling of animal manure, green manure and crop residues. Agricultural biologicals are products obtained from organic matter such as plant extracts and naturally occurring microorganisms, employed to enhance the crop productivity and improving the crop health. Additionally, they focus on moderate use of agricultural machinery and biologicals control methods thereby, reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
The natural products used in agricultural biologicals complement or replace traditional fertilizers and chemicals that would help in reducing the environmental impact of synthetic pesticides. Moreover, the agricultural biologicals provide natural solutions such as microbes, plant extracts, beneficial insects and other organic material that allows farmers to improvise on crop health and productivity.
Microbes are a type of agricultural biologicals derived from microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. These microbes protect the crops from pests and diseases and also enhance the productivity and fertility of plants. Microbes are categorized into biocontrol, biofertility, and bioyield enhancers. Biocontrols are fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms that protect plants from insects, disease and weeds. Biofertility microbes improve the plant’s ability to access phosphate and nitrogen directly from soil. Bioyield enhancers are derived from plants and microorganisms that enhance the nutritional capabilities of a plant thereby, helping in efficient plant growth.
Agricultural biologicals, being eco-friendly and chemical-free, are the preferred choice for boosting soil fertility by nitrogen fixation, enhancing crop yield and dissolving the insoluble soil phosphates. This is due to the growing population that has significantly affected the ecological base of agriculture. Moreover, agricultural biologicals are used as a part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to produce innovative synthetic crop chemistries thereby, assisting the farmers in reducing plant stress and increasing overall yield and productivity.
Market Dynamics
The global market for agricultural biologicals is expected to rise during the forecast period (2017-2023) on account of increasing shift in consumer preferences from chemical/synthetic-based farming to organic farming techniques. Additionally, an increase in demand for crop protection against weeds, insects and pests is likely to spur the growth of global agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period. The rising global demand for food, high yield and improved nutrition content in plants is estimated to further propel the agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period. By type, bio pesticides is expected to witness fastest-growth in the global agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period.
Trends
The key trend observed in the global agricultural biologicals market is increasing demand for organic foods owing to the growing awareness among the health-conscious population. Moreover, major supermarket chains across the globe such as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation are expanding their product offerings in the organic food business. For instance, as of December 2015, Wal-Mart Canada launched a new private brand selection of organic products, under the brand name Great Value, ranging from cookies to pastas to popcorn.
Growth Drivers
Implementation of stringent registration policies in agricultural sector and increased expenditure on R&D by biological product manufacturers are the major drivers in the global agricultural biologicals market. Government has implemented certain regulations for supporting the use of bio-based products for agriculture. This is expected to drive the agricultural biologicals market growth during the forecast period. High cost of chemical fertilizers and the increasing awareness associated with the adverse health hazards of chemical fertilizers are expected to further spike the growth of the global agricultural biologicals market during the forecast period.
Growth Restraints
Lack of awareness towards bio-based agricultural products and the low adoption rate of biopesticides are the major restraints faced by the global agricultural biologicals market.
Competitive Landscape
The key players operating in the global agricultural biologicals market include Syngenta AG, The Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, Bayer AG, Isagro S.p.A., Novozymes A/S, T. Stanes & Company Ltd, Marrone Bio Innovations, Arysta LifeScience Corporation, and Certis USA L.L.C.
Market Segmentation
By Type
- Biopesticides
- Biostimulants
- Biofertilizers
By Application
- Cereals and grains
- Oilseeds and pulses
- Fruits and vegetables
- Other crops
By Source
- Microbes
- Biorationals
- Others
By Mode of Application
- Seed treatment
- Soil treatment
- Foliar spray
GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTATION
By Region
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- U.K.
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Australia
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Rest of Latin America
