Biocontrol is a sustainable and eco-friendly method of pest
control that uses living organisms to manage pests and diseases in agriculture.
The Biocontrol industry is witnessing significant growth in recent years,
driven by the increasing demand for sustainable agriculture and the need for
alternatives to chemical pesticides.
The use of biocontrol methods offers numerous benefits,
including reduced environmental impact, improved crop yield, and increased food
safety. Unlike chemical pesticides, biocontrol solutions are non-toxic,
non-polluting, and do not harm beneficial insects or other wildlife. Biocontrol
also promotes long-term sustainability by reducing the need for chemical
pesticides, which can lead to resistance and environmental damage.
The most common biocontrol agents used in agriculture are
microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which can be applied directly
to crops or soil. These microbials help to control pests and diseases by
competing with harmful microorganisms for resources or by directly attacking
them. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the development
of new biocontrol products, designed to be more targeted, efficient, and safer
than chemical pesticides.
The biocontrol market is expected to grow significantly in
the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable agriculture
and the need for alternatives to chemical pesticides. The adoption of
integrated pest management (IPM) practices, which combine the use of
biological, cultural, and chemical controls, is also expected to increase in
the coming years.
Investors are recognizing the potential of the biocontrol
market and are investing heavily in companies that are developing new and
innovative products. The biocontrol industry is also witnessing an increase in
partnerships and collaborations, as companies seek to leverage each other's
strengths to create better solutions for pest control.
Market Dynamics of Biocontrol Market
Market Drivers:
As a consequence of climate change, there has been a rapid
increase in pest proliferation, which has led to more frequent plant diseases
and pests. This is due to the significant impact that climate change has on
agricultural productivity and pest susceptibility over time. The changing
climate makes crops more vulnerable to various diseases and pests, resulting in
reduced crop production. Consequently, farmers have become more reliant on
high-quality crop protection products for effective pest prevention. This has
driven up the market demand for biocontrol, and it is expected to continue to
rise in the coming years.
Market Restraints:
One of the major drawbacks of biological solutions is their
short shelf life and the significant risk of contamination. Microbe persistence
during storage is a primary concern, along with factors such as sunlight
exposure, culture mediums, the physiological state of microorganisms at
harvest, temperature management during storage, and the water activity of
inoculants. Moreover, the bioavailability of the host can sometimes hinder the
effectiveness of the active substance. These technological limitations have
restrained the use of biocontrols.
Opportunities: Development of resistance by pests to
chemical pesticides
For many years, site-specific chemical pesticides have been
successful in protecting crops. However, this success has been threatened by
the development of resistance among plant pathogens, fungi, and insect pests.
These pests can adapt to crop protection chemicals through mutations, which
reduces the efficacy of the chemicals and leads to a resurgence of pests. This
presents a significant challenge to the chemical pesticide market but also
provides an opportunity for growth.
Challenges: Preference for synthetic pesticides among
agricultural producers in emerging economies
Agricultural markets in Asia-Pacific and other emerging
economies are constantly evolving, with small landholdings and limited
purchasing power. In these regions, farmers are profit-driven and focused on
achieving quick results, with little awareness of the benefits of biocontrol
and organic methods. Government regulations in these areas are minimal and less
strict, which has led to a preference for chemical pesticides. However, import
restrictions and increasing awareness among farmers about the benefits of
biocontrol solutions are slowly driving demand for such products, thereby
pushing the growth of the biocontrol crop protection market during the forecast
period. Additionally, the use of traps as a mode of application in the
semiochemicals market is projected to have the highest CAGR of 15.8% during the
forecast period.
The semiochemicals market encompasses various modes of
application such as dispensers, sprays, and traps. Among these modes, traps are
expected to grow at the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%
during the forecast period. This is mainly due to their convenient and
ready-to-use nature. Pheromone traps are commonly used to trap specific insect
species by using a semiochemical attractant inside the trap. They are also
employed for mass monitoring and trapping, where an increased number of traps
per unit area is used to capture more insects. Delta traps, sticky traps,
winged traps, and funnel traps are some examples of widely used pheromone
traps.
On the other hand, foliar spray is the most widely used mode
of application in the biopesticides market, with an estimated value of USD
2,838.6 million in 2022. This mode of application involves applying microbial
pesticides directly to the foliage to control insects and mites. Foliar sprays
are considered the best tool for pest management in the short term, as they
offer a fast and practical way to address pest infestations on plants. The
market for foliar sprays is expanding due to their quick, convenient
application and the increasing demand for horticulture crops, including organic
fruits and vegetables. Foliar sprays are effective in distributing biocontrol
agents evenly, and therefore, they are predicted to continue dominating the
market in the coming years.
Biocontrols derived from microbials are the most popular and
valued source in the market, with an estimated worth of USD 4 billion in 2023.
These pest-specific microbial biocontrol methods provide effective pest control
without harming the environment. Microbes can be quickly cultivated in
favorable conditions, and they have longer life cycles, making them more
convenient for storage and use. Compared to other sources, creating
microbial-based crop protection solutions is also less expensive. These factors
have made microbials the industry leader in biocontrol, and they are projected
to maintain this position during the forecast period.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the
biological control market. The global lockdowns and travel restrictions have
reduced the accessibility and availability of biological control agents in the
market. Shortages in labor, raw materials, and transportation have also
decreased production efficiency. Nonetheless, increasing organic cultivation,
less stringent regulations, and the growing need for food security are major
market drivers boosting the sales of biologicals. On the other hand, the low
shelf life of the product and low awareness among farmers are likely to
restrain the market growth.
Microbials are the dominant source in the market, accounting
for around 67.0% in 2023, and are expected to grow at a faster rate due to
their increasing use in various applications. North America and Europe are the
major markets for biological controls due to the faster adoption rate by
farmers in these regions. The global biological control market is expected to
be fragmented during the forecast period due to easy product registration and
low capital investment, allowing new entrants to enter the market.
Organic farming is a rapidly growing segment of the food
industry, with various factors driving and inhibiting the growth of
biopesticides. The global area under organic cultivation is expanding quickly,
increasing from 80 million hectares in 2021 to 88 million hectares in 2023, as
reported by FiBL statistics. Microbial pesticides are less harmful than
synthetic pesticides, as they mainly affect only the target pest and closely
related organisms, unlike broad-spectrum conventional pesticides that can harm
birds, insects, and mammals. The ease of handling and low-to-no re-entry and
post-harvest intervals further promotes the adoption of biopesticides as an
alternative to existing synthetic options and their usage restrictions.
Moreover, increasing innovation in biological control products, along with
growing consumer awareness about the negative effects of synthetic pesticides,
is expected to boost the adoption rate of biological controls in the near
future.
As the demand for cereals and grains in the agricultural
industry continues to increase, the growth rate of the biocontrol agents
industry is anticipated to rise. This demand is driven by the significant
increase in animal feed demand, which is increasing the need for biocontrol
agents to protect these crops.
the rise, driven by the need for sustainable and
eco-friendly pest control methods. The growing awareness of the environmental
impact of chemical pesticides is leading farmers and growers to adopt
biocontrol solutions as an alternative. This trend is expected to continue in
the coming years, as more consumers become conscious of the need for
sustainable agriculture.
Emergence of New Biocontrol Products: There has been an
increase in the development of new biocontrol products in recent years.
Companies are investing heavily in research and development to create new and
effective biocontrol solutions. These products are designed to be more
targeted, efficient, and safer than chemical pesticides. With advancements in
technology and research, new products are expected to hit the market in the
coming years.
Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices are gaining popularity among farmers
and growers. IPM is a holistic approach to pest management that combines the
use of biological, cultural, and chemical controls to manage pests effectively.
Biocontrol solutions are a key component of IPM, and their adoption is expected
to increase in the coming years.
Increased Investment in the Biocontrol Industry: The
biocontrol industry is attracting significant investments from venture
capitalists and other investors. The industry is expected to witness
substantial growth in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for
biocontrol solutions. Investors are recognizing the potential of the biocontrol
market and are investing in companies that are developing new and innovative
products.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Companies in the biocontrol
market are forming partnerships and collaborations to expand their product
portfolios and market reach. For example, in 2021, Syngenta and Valagro
announced a partnership to develop new and innovative biological solutions for
crop protection. These collaborations are expected to continue in the coming
years, as companies seek to leverage each other's strengths to create better
solutions for pest control.
Dominating Companies in Biocontrol Market
- BASF SE
- BAYER AG
- SYNGENTA AG
- UPL LIMITED
- FMC CORPORATION
- CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE
- SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD
- SUTERRA LLC
- MARRONE BIO INNOVATIONS
- NOVOZYMES A/S
- ISAGRO S.P.A.
- RUSSELL IPM
- CERTIS USA L.L.C.
- KOPPERT BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
- PHEROBANK B.V.
- VALENT BIOSCIENCES LLC
- STK BIO-AG TECHNOLOGIES
- BIOBEST GROUP NV
- ANDERMATT BIOCONTROL AG
- IPL BIOLOGICALS LTD
- VEGALAB S.A
- BIOWORKS, INC.
- BIONEMA
- VESTARON CORPORATION
- INNOVATE AG
- PROVIVI
- M2I LIFE SCIENCES
- BIOTALYS
- FYTOFEND S.A.
- BIOLOGIC INSECTICIDE
Recent Developments in Biocontrol Market
BASF's acquisition of Becker Underwood - In 2021, chemical
giant BASF acquired Becker Underwood, a leading producer of biological crop
protection products. This acquisition strengthened BASF's position in the
biocontrol market, enabling the company to offer a broader range of products to
farmers.
FMC's acquisition of Dupont's crop protection business - In
2019, FMC Corporation acquired DuPont's crop protection business, including its
biocontrol portfolio. This acquisition expanded FMC's offerings in the
biocontrol space, particularly in the areas of biological seed treatments and
crop protection.
Syngenta's partnership with Valagro - In 2019, agricultural
company Syngenta announced a partnership with Valagro, a leading producer of
biostimulants and biocontrol products. The partnership aimed to accelerate the
development of innovative biological solutions for farmers.
Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto - In 2018, Bayer completed
its acquisition of Monsanto, which included Monsanto's biocontrol business.
This acquisition allowed Bayer to expand its biocontrol offerings, particularly
in the areas of microbial and biotechnology-based solutions.
Marrone Bio Innovations' acquisition of ProFarm - In 2018,
Marrone Bio Innovations acquired ProFarm, a provider of microbial products for
agriculture. This acquisition expanded Marrone Bio's portfolio of biocontrol
solutions, particularly in the areas of plant health and soil fertility.
Koppert Biological Systems' acquisition of BioBest - In
2020, Koppert Biological Systems, a leading provider of biological solutions
for agriculture, acquired BioBest, a global supplier of bumblebees and
beneficial insects. This acquisition strengthened Koppert's position in the
market for biological pest control products.
1.
Research Sources
We at Zettabyte Analytics have a
detailed and related research methodology focussed on estimating the market
size and forecasted value for the given market. Comprehensive research
objectives and scope were obtained through secondary research of the parent and
peer markets. The next step was to validate our research by various market
models and primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were
employed to estimate the market. In addition to all the research reports, data
triangulation is one of the procedures used to evaluate the market size of
segments and sub-segments.
Research Methodology
1.1. Secondary Research
The secondary research study involves various sources and databases used
to analyze and collect information for the market-oriented survey of a specific
market. We use multiple databases for our exhaustive secondary research, such
as Factiva, Dun & Bradstreet, Bloomberg, Research article, Annual reports,
Press Release, and SEC filings of significant companies. Apart from this, a
dedicated set of teams continuously extracts data of key industry players and
makes an extensive and unique segmentation related to the latest market
development.
1.2. Primary Research
The primary research includes gathering data from specific domain
experts through a detailed questionnaire, emails, telephonic interviews, and
web-based surveys. The primary interviewees for this study include an expert
from the demand and supply side, such as CEOs, VPs, directors, sales heads, and
marketing managers of tire 1,2, and 3 companies across the globe.
1.3. Data Triangulation
The data triangulation is very important for any market study, thus we
at Zettabyte Analytics focus on at least three sources to ensure a high level
of accuracy. The data is triangulated by studying various factors and trends
from both supply and demand side. All the reports published and stored in our
repository follows a detailed process to obtain a reliable insight for our
clients.
1.4. In-House Verification
To validate the segmentation
and verify the data collected, our market expert ensures whether our research
analyst is considering fine distinction before analyzing the market.
1.5. Reporting
In the end,
presenting our research reports complied in a different format for straightforward
valuation such as ppt, pdf, and excel data pack is done.