US Crop Protection Chemicals - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Rise in weed infestations, shortage of labor, increased wages, and need for higher food production may drive the herbicide market in the country

• Agriculture plays a vital role in the US economy, contributing significantly to the country's GDP. However, pests and diseases significantly threaten crop production, leading to reduced yields, financial losses to farmers, and food security concerns. The country is the major producer and exporter of cereals, pulses, and oilseeds to other countries, such as wheat, maize, and soybeans. The United States occupied the highest share of 82.4% of the North American crop protection chemicals market value in 2022.
• Weed attacks on crops are the most common across the country. Catchweed bedstraw, field bindweed, and horsetail are some common weeds that are considered crop-devastating. With the growing demand for maize and wheat domestically and internationally, the management of weeds has become imperative in the country. This has increased the demand for herbicides in the country, which occupied the highest share of 53.3% by value in 2022.
• At the same time, insect infestations in oilseed and horticultural crops pose a significant challenge to the country's agricultural productivity. Common insects include bean-leaf beetles, grape colaspis, leafhoppers, and aphids. Direct application of neonicotinoid insecticides, including imidacloprid or thiamethoxam on seeds, is considered an effective solution. The insecticide market occupied the second-highest share of 37.5% by value in 2022.
• Increased concerns for food security and various developments have facilitated the efficient and sustainable production of food by farmers while minimizing the impact of pests on their crops. This has driven the market, which is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

US Crop Protection Chemicals Market Trends

The rise in herbicide-resistant weed species is necessitating higher application rates for better control

• There has been significant growth in the consumption of pesticides per hectare in the United States. In 2022, this consumption increased by 618 g per hectare compared to 2017. Several factors contributed to this escalated use of pesticides per hectare, including climate change. The prevalence of tropical and subtropical warm and humid conditions in various regions has created favorable environment for cultivating diverse crops. However, this same climate has also fostered the growth of weeds, pests, and diseases, necessitating a higher application of pesticides to protect crops and maintain productivity.
• Among all crop protection chemicals, herbicides experienced a significant increase in consumption, rising by 462 g per hectare in 2022 compared to 2017. This surge may be mainly attributed to the rise in herbicide-resistant weed species. Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the country, serves as the primary method of weed control for most farmers due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other alternatives. However, the extensive use of glyphosate has led to the development of resistance in weed species, with 14 different weed species showing resistance against glyphosate. As a result, the consumption of herbicides per hectare has increased.
• In the country's tropical and subtropical regions, monoculture practices and the adoption of no-tillage practices are prevalent. These practices have resulted in the proliferation of pests and diseases, leading to significant crop losses and a substantial rise in the consumption of fungicides and insecticides per hectare. Specifically, between 2017 and 2022, there was an increase of 43 g per hectare in fungicide usage and 115 g per hectare in insecticide usage.

Effectiveness in controlling various insects such as aphids, beetles, spotted ball worms, pink ball worms, early spot borers, and hairy caterpillars, and limited availability of active ingredients in the country is raising the price

• In 2022, cypermethrin was priced at USD 21.2 thousand per metric ton. It has been widely adopted in the agricultural industry for its effectiveness in controlling various types of insects, including aphids, beetles, spotted ball worms, pink ball worms, early spot borers, and hairy caterpillars. Its effectiveness has made it a popular choice for farmers seeking to protect their crops from pests and ensure a successful harvest.
• Atrazine, a systemic herbicide belonging to the chlorinated triazine group, is utilized for targeted control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds prior to their emergence. Pesticide formulations containing atrazine are approved for application on various agricultural crops such as corn, sweet corn, sorghum, sugarcane, wheat, macadamia nuts, and guava, in addition to non-agricultural applications like nursery/ornamental and turf management. Atrazine was priced at USD 13.8 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Malathion is used to control a wide range of pests, including aphids, fleas, and other sucking pests on several valuable crops. Five crops that are extensively grown in the United States that use malathion frequently are cherry tomatoes, broccoli, mulberries, cranberries, and figs. Malathion was priced at USD 12.6 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Mancozeb is a broad-spectrum contact fungicide that is labeled for use on many fruits, vegetables, nuts, and field crops in the United States. It provides protection against a wide spectrum of fungal diseases, including potato blight, leaf spot, scab, and rust. It serves as a seed treatment for crops such as potatoes, corn, sorghum, tomatoes, and cereal grains. In 2022, its market value reached USD 7.8 thousand per metric ton.

US Crop Protection Chemicals Industry Overview

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