Maize Seed Treatment Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The global maize seed treatment market was valued at US$1,775.845 million in 2021 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.34% over the forecast period to reach US$3,111.192 million by 2028.

Maize seeds are coated with seed treatments such as fungicides, insecticides, and pigments to protect them from diseases, pests & insect infestation, improve germination and enhance plant growth. Seed treatments are essential for the effective growth and protection of maize crops.

The global maize seed treatment market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for high-yielding and disease-resistant maize crops. Maize seed treatment involves chemical, biological, and physical agents to enhance seed performance and protect against pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. Other factors, such as the growing use of genetically modified maize seeds, rising concerns regarding crop diseases & pest infestations, and the demand for sustainable agricultural techniques such as precision farming, also driving the growth during the projection period. The high production of maize crops to meet the global food demand is spurring the growth of seed treatment solutions among farmers. According to FAO data, maize accounted for 10 percent (1.1 billion tons) of global primary crop production in 2019.

However, the stringent regulatory landscape regarding the use of pesticides, the high cost of treatment, and the lack of awareness, particularly in emerging countries, are restraining the growth of the global maize seed treatment market during the projection period.

The growing demand for high-yielding crops is supporting the global maize seed treatment market growth.

Significant population growth has led to a huge demand for high-yielding, nutritious food crops and grains to fulfill the growing food demand. This has led to increasing demand for chemically treated seeds to protect them from any pest attacks, as many crops are lost due to pest attacks. FAO estimates that in 2019, between 20 and 40 percent of the world's crop yield is lost each year to pests. Plant diseases cost the world economy over US$220 billion annually, and insect infestations cost about US$70 billion in 2021. Maize seed treatment offers solutions that enhance seed strength, germination, and early seedling establishment, improving crop performance. They also protect the crops by applying chemical or biological agents to the seed coats, creating a protective barrier against pests and diseases. This promotes healthy plant development and reduces crop loss.

Ongoing advancements in seed treatment technologies and methodologies are driving the growth of maize seed treatment solutions. Innovations, such as precision seed coating equipment and improved formulations, allow for more precise and efficient treatment applications, resulting in better seed coverage and efficacy. For instance, in July 2022, American agriculture company Corteva Agriscience announced the launch of a seed coating technology called LumiGEN for maize crops to combat pests, significantly lowering productivity in important maize-growing regions.

North America is anticipated to account for a significant share of the global maize seed treatment market.

The North American region will experience rapid expansion throughout the projection period due to the rapid progress of seed treatment and coating technologies. This region's market is also expanding due to the growing demand for high-yielding and nutritious food crops and grains. According to the FAO, North America is the largest producer of maize crops accounting for 49 percent of the global maize crop production in 2021. According to the USDA data, the United States produced 15.1 million bushels of maize in 2021, an increase of 7 percent from the previous year. Moreover, stringent and mandatory rules regarding the use of seed treatments on maize crops are also propelling the demand for maize seed treatments, thereby fueling regional market expansion. In addition, the prevalence of key market players such as BASF SE, Bayer CropScience AG, Monsanto Company, and others also spur the growth of maize seed treatment in this region.

Market Developments:

• In September 2022, American agriculture company Corteva Agriscience announced that they plan to launch seed treatment solutions for crops such as wheat, rice, and maize in India. These treatments will help farmers protect their crops from diseases, pests, insects, and unpredictable weather conditions.
• In March 2021, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved registering Syngenta's newest maize seed treatment, Vayantis fungicide. Vayantis, which has a novel mechanism of action and is one of the most intrinsically active Picarbutrazox, the active component of Vayantis, is a brand-new systemic fungicide seed treatment created to guard seedlings against important blight and damping-off diseases, including Pythium and Phytophthora in a variety of crops, with the first registrations taking place in maize and soybeans.

Market Segmentation:

By Chemical Origin

• Synthetic
• Biological

By Product Type

• Insecticides
• Fungicides
• Others

By Application

• Farm-level
• Commercial

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others