Semiochemicals Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The global semiochemicals market was valued at US$862.296 million in 2021 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 16.44% over the forecast period to reach US$2,502.035 million by 2028

Semiochemicals are chemical substances that convey information between organisms of the same or different species, and these chemicals play a crucial role in communication, influencing behaviors such as mating, feeding, defense, and territoriality. Semiochemicals can be classified into two main categories: pheromones and allelochemicals, and are used in detection & monitoring, mass trapping, and mating disruption applications because they exploit the chemical signals that organisms use for communication, enabling targeted pest management strategies. The increasing global concern for sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control methods and stringent regulations and restrictions on conventional pesticides are driving the demand for semiochemicals, thereby boosting their market growth.

Semiochemical-based pest control strategies often require specialized expertise and training for effective implementation. The lack of awareness and education about semiochemicals can hinder their adoption, as users may be hesitant to switch from conventional pesticides or may not fully grasp the benefits and application methods of semiochemicals. Research, development, and production of semiochemical formulations can be complex and expensive. The initial investment required for establishing semiochemical production facilities and the higher costs compared to conventional pesticides can act as barriers to entry for some stakeholders. As regulations aim to ensure the safety and efficacy of pest control products, the registration and approval processes for semiochemicals can be complex and time-consuming.

The growing concern for eco-friendly and sustainable pest control techniques is anticipated to propel the semiochemical market growth

There is increasing recognition of the environmental and health risks associated with conventional chemical pesticides, leading to a shift in consumer preferences and regulatory measures favoring safer and more sustainable alternatives. Semiochemicals offer a promising solution in this context. They are typically species-specific and target pests through their natural communication mechanisms, minimizing the impact on non-target organisms and reducing environmental chemical residues. Strategies by leveraging the chemical signals used by pests for mating, feeding, or aggregation. The investments made to develop eco-friendly pesticides, and the launch of new pest control technologies drive the demand for semiochemicals. In 2023, UK Agritech secured an investment totaling £4 million to scale up the development of its unique nature-inspired pesticides and create neuropeptide-based insect control products that are nature-inspired rather than selected from a synthetic chemistry library. In November 2020, Syngenta launched a Spiropidion, an innovative insect control technology that would help farmers protect their crops against damaging sucking pests effectively and environmentally sustainable.

The tight guidelines and limitations for conventional pesticides are expected to augment the demand for semiochemicals. 

Concerns about the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment have prompted governments and regulatory bodies to implement stricter guidelines and limitations on their usage. As a result, industries such as agriculture, forestry, and urban pest management are seeking alternative pest control methods that comply with these regulations and meet consumer demands for safer and more sustainable solutions. Semiochemicals offer a viable alternative as they generally have a lower environmental impact and reduced risks compared to conventional pesticides. Semiochemicals are often species-specific and target pests through their natural communication systems. This specificity minimizes the effect on beneficial organisms and reduces chemical residues in the environment, aligning with the goals of sustainable pest management. The initiatives and actions taken by the government to reduce the use of chemical pesticides boost the demand for semiochemicals. In 2020, the new EU’s "Green Deal" triggered a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas, and actions were taken to reduce the use of chemical and hazardous pesticides by 50% by 2030. In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India banned 46 pesticides and four pesticide formulations for import, manufacture, or use in the country.

The North American region is expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period. 

North America is expected to hold a significant market share due to a well-established and advanced agricultural sector with diverse crop production and extensive farming systems. In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first-ever comprehensive work plan to address the decades-old challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides. The program established overall strategies and dozens of actions to adopt protections while providing farmers, public health authorities, and others with pesticide access. In 2022, a board coalited with Mexican lawmakers pushed a ban on nearly 200 chemicals used in pesticides as they endanger human health, and the Senate committees are expected to ban 183 other chemicals contained in pesticides by 2024. Such progressive developments will boost the demand for semiochemicals, accelerating regional market growth.

Market Developments:

• February 2023: Bedoukian, a leader in pheromone & semiochemical product manufacturers in the US, had a team of expert scientists along with world-class manufacturing facilities that enabled Bedoukian to provide the ideal semiochemical solutions for pest management problems under the name BedoukianBio.
• June 2022: FMC acquired BioPhero, a Danish startup producing pheromone-based biocontrols for the crop-growing industry, for $200m to boost its biologicals portfolio and produce pheromones at substantially lower costs and in higher volumes
• March 2022: Provivi and Syngenta Crop Protection companies launched pheromone-based technology "Nelvium™,", a mating disruption product that helped rice growers manage key pests more effectively.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Pheromones
• Allelochemicals

By Application

• Detection & Monitoring
• Mass Trapping
• Mating Disruption

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