Biocontrol Market

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.