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

In the United States, soil treatment holds the utmost importance as the primary mode of herbicide application

• In the United States, various modes of herbicide application are employed to efficiently manage weeds in agriculture. By selecting appropriate application methods, farmers can achieve cost-effective solutions, ensuring precise coverage of targeted areas and minimizing wastage. This enhanced efficiency optimizes herbicide usage, ultimately leading to reduced input costs for farmers.
• In agricultural practices, soil application stands out as the predominant mode of herbicide usage, which represented 49.1% of the total herbicide application segment in 2022. This method is majorly employed in the cultivation of grains and cereals, which holds the largest market share at 44.7%. The preference for soil treatment herbicides is driven by their efficacy in protecting the quality of grains and cereals by preventing or minimizing weed growth. They are effective in controlling weeds during their pre-emergent and early growth stages.
• Furthermore, the foliar application method secured the second-largest market share by value, which accounted for 29.2% in 2022. This application technique has proven to be advantageous for weed control, particularly in crops that require accurate targeting, for instance, when applied directly onto the leaves of the target plants. This method is effective for controlling above-ground weeds and is commonly used in many agricultural and horticultural settings.
• In the agricultural sector of the United States, herbicide usage is focused on optimizing crop productivity and enhancing overall profitability. The mode of application segment is expected to witness a projected CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

US Herbicide Market Trends

The increasing adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops is driving the consumption of herbicides

• The usage of herbicides in the United States is driven by several key factors. One contributing factor is the growing recognition of herbicides as essential tools for effective weed management in various sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.
• The persistence and adaptability of weeds have led to higher herbicide application rates and the use of multiple herbicides with different modes of action. The expansion of intensive farming practices has also played a significant role in boosting herbicide usage. To meet the increasing demand for food and maximize crop yields, farmers have strengthened their farming operations, leading to a greater reliance on herbicides for weed control.
• The adoption of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) crops has played a significant role in driving the consumption of herbicides. For instance, in 2020, GMO soybeans made up 94% of all soybeans planted, GMO cotton made up 96% of all cotton planted, and 92% of corn planted was GMO corn. These GM crops allow farmers to apply herbicides directly to the crop without causing harm, effectively controlling weeds while minimizing damage to desired plants.
• Changes in pesticide regulations can also influence patterns of herbicide consumption. The approval and availability of new pesticide formulations or active ingredients may contribute to increased herbicide usage. In July 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an interim re-approval for paraquat, which has further contributed to the growth of the herbicide market.
• As a result, the increasing adoption of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops and the expansion of intensive farming practices are expected to drive the consumption of herbicides in the United States during the forecast period.

Increasing weed infestation in major crops like corn, wheat, and sugarcane and need of herbicides in controlling various weeds may drive the market

• Weed infestation remains a significant challenge in agriculture in the United States, causing yield losses and increased production costs for farmers. Atrazine, paraquat, and glyphosate are commonly used herbicides in the United States.
• 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, it is also used in nursery/ornamental and turf management. It is priced at USD 13.8 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Paraquat dichloride, commonly known as "paraquat," stands as one of the extensively employed herbicides in the United States. It is also recognized by its popular end-use product name, Gramoxone. Paraquat plays a crucial role in managing weeds across diverse agricultural and non-agricultural environments. It is also used for the desiccation of crops, like cotton, prior to harvest. Paraquat was valued at a price of USD 4.6 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Glyphosate is a systemic, broad-spectrum, and post-emergent herbicide. The use of glyphosate has grown over the last decades, and it is currently one of the most used herbicides in the United States. Products containing glyphosate are sold in various formulations, including liquid concentrate, solid, and ready-to-use liquid. Glyphosate is used in products to control weeds in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. In 2022, it was valued at a price of USD 16.6 thousand per metric ton.

US Herbicide Industry Overview

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