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

Increasing early crop growth damage by soil-borne nematodes raises the soil treatment application mode of nematicides

• The growth of nematodes in agriculture is favored by changing climates like drought, heat waves, and warm and humid conditions. Monoculture practices, no-tillage, and sandy soils also favor their growth. Based on the types of nematodes, regions, and crops, farmers implement various nematicide application modes for better nematode management and enhancing crop production.
• Nematicide application via soil treatment held a majority market share of 70.3% in 2022, which was majorly attributed to the effectiveness of this method in reducing soil-borne nematode populations and improving crop productivity. These can be applied prior to planting and after planting by soil drenching, which helps in faster crop germination. The soil treatment mode of nematicide application is expected to increase by around 17,340 metric ton during 2023-2029.
• The foliar method of nematicide application was the next most used application mode and fastest-growing segment, which is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period. The foliar nematicide application effectively manages the foliar nematodes that feed on the foliage of the plant and reduces the yield of food crops. Advancements in foliar mode, like drone applications and other technical and digital improvements, raise the foliar mode of application.
• Effective management of water and nematicide quantity can be achieved through the chemigation mode, which occupied the market share of 8.5% in 2022. Advanced irrigation systems and increased water scarcity will raise the chemigation adoption rate, increasing the nematicide application.
• All the application modes aim to reduce nematode infestations and increase crop productivity, which is expected to drive the market.

Increased nematode infestations and the growing adoption of nematicides stood South America in prominent position

• Apart from climate changes and other pests and diseases, nematodes cause significant damage to the agriculture sector worldwide. More than 4100 plant parasitic nematodes were identified, causing damage to various crops across the world.
• According to the American Society of Phytopathology, nematodes cause around 14% of the global crop loss annually, which is equal to an economic loss of almost USD 125 billion. Among various nematode species root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp., Globodera spp.), root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp., Hirschmanniella spp., and Radopholus spp.), stem nematodes (Ditylenchus spp.), and pine wood nematodes (Bursaphlenchus spp.) majorly damage the crop growth and productivity by effecting the water and nutrients absorption.
• The consumption of nematicides in its cultivation is majorly dominated by South America, which represented 36.6% of the global nematicide market in 2022. This is majorly attributed to the crop losses by nematodes, which are recorded at around USD 6.5 billion every year. Soybean is the major crop grown, and South America produces more than 50% of the soybeans produced in the world. Nematodes cause around 30% of yield loss worth USD 3 billion in the region. During the historical period, the consumption of nematicides increased by around 7,600 metric ton between 2017 and 2022, which is further expected to increase by more than 10,000 metric ton between 2023-2029. This emphasized the nematicide's necessity in the South American agriculture industry.
• The global nematicide market is anticipated to grow during the forecast period (2023-2029) with an estimated CAGR of 3.7%, which will be driven by the growing adoption of nematicides for crop protection from various nematodes globally.

Global Nematicide Market Trends

Intensive agricultural practices have increased the need for nematicide application

• The average global consumption of chemical nematicides was 2.1 kg per hectare of agricultural land in 2022. Asia-Pacific was the largest consumer of nematicides, with a per-hectare consumption of 737.02 grams in 2022. Asian countries, including Japan, commonly adopt intensive farming practices like greenhouse cultivation and monocropping. Although these methods enhance productivity, they also heighten crop vulnerability to soil-borne pests like nematodes. Consequently, farmers frequently resort to nematicides to protect their crops.
• Europe was the second largest per-hectare consumer of nematicides, with 591.7 grams per hectare in 2022. European countries are expanding the cultivation of high-value crops, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals, which tend to be more susceptible to nematode damage. The plant-parasitic nematodes cause an annual yield loss of 21.3%, amounting to USD 1.58 billion in European countries. As a result, the use of nematicides becomes necessary to effectively manage and control these infestations in Europe.
• South America was the third largest per-hectare consumer of nematicides, with 570.14 grams per hectare in 2022. Root-knot nematodes attack the roots and tubers of various plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots in the region. Carrots are susceptible to considerable losses, averaging up to 20.0%, while potatoes can experience even higher losses of up to 33.0% due to infestations caused by these nematode species. The nematode population in North American countries is increasing with the increasing adoption of no-tillage practices, which reduce soil disturbance and increase the retention of crop residue. These circumstances are leading to the application of nematicides globally.

Changing climatic conditions and their effect on nematode infestations may raise the demand for nematicides and their prices simultaneously

• Nematicides play a crucial role in agriculture by effectively controlling plant-parasitic nematodes, protecting crops from root damage, and ensuring optimal yield and productivity.
• Flufensulfone is a nematicide belonging to the chemical class of arylsulfonates. It is used to control plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes, cyst nematodes, lesion nematodes, and dagger nematodes in various agricultural crops. The mode of action of flufensulfone involves interfering with the nervous systems of nematodes, leading to paralysis and death. By targeting nematodes, flufensulfone helps reduce their populations and minimize the damage they can cause to crops. Flufensulfone was priced at USD 19.0 thousand metric ton in 2022.
• Abamectin is known for its nematocidal activity against several plant-parasitic nematodes, including the root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans), the reniform nematode (Rotylenchus reniformis), the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), and the cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii). Its efficacy in controlling these nematodes makes it a valuable tool for nematode management in agricultural crops. As of 2022, the market value of abamectin was approximately USD 12.2 thousand per metric ton.
• Oxamyl is a widely used insecticide and nematicide belonging to the chemical class of carbamates. It is primarily used to control a variety of plant-parasitic nematodes in agricultural crops. Oxamyl's mode of action as an insecticide and nematicide involves inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential for nerve function in insects and nematodes. By disrupting this enzyme, oxamyl causes nerve overstimulation, leading to paralysis and eventual death of the pests. It was priced at USD 8.8 thousand per metric ton in 2022.

Nematicide Industry Overview

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