Biocontrol Agents Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The biocontrol agents market was valued at US$5.423 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period

Biological control is a method of pest management that relies on biological agents or natural enemies to reduce pest populations. Governments throughout the globe are attempting to promote sustainable agriculture, which has led to changes in the law that will benefit organic farming in the upcoming years. For instance, the EU recently enacted new laws to establish an adequate legal framework for the organic agricultural sector.

The rise in the use of biological agents over chemical-based crop protection products is one of the key factors anticipated to propel the demand for biological control agents in agriculture during the forecast period. Other market factors that are promoting the sale of biologicals are expanding organic farming areas, laxer regulations, and rising food security demands. Furthermore, by active substance, the increased usage of microbial biocontrol in several applications, including seed treatment, on-field use, and post-harvest use, is expected to accelerate the growth of microbial biocontrol.

Market Drivers

Growth in sustainable and organic farming

The market for agriculture biological control agents is further expected to develop as a result of the increased demand for sustainable farming practices. The market for agricultural biological control agents, on the other hand, is anticipated to develop slowly over the timeframe due to the short shelf lives of biological control agent products. However, the long reaction period of the insect is one drawback of biological pest management. Compared to the majority of chemical pesticides, these biological control methods reduce the pest population more gradually.

Another distinctive and quickly expanding area of the food sector is organic farming. The growth of biopesticides is alternatively fueled by and inhibited by several causes. In contrast to broad-spectrum conventional pesticides, which have the potential to harm other creatures such as birds, insects, and mammals, microbial biocontrol agents often only impact the target pest and other organisms closely connected to it. The use of biopesticides is also driven by their ease-of-use characteristics, such as low-to-no re-entry intervals and post-harvest intervals, which primarily act as a striking contrast to the limitations placed on the use of synthetic alternatives and use of biocontrol agents for plant disease.

Government Initiatives

Many government initiatives and investments will upsurge the biocontrol agents market. For instance, in March 2023, according to the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy, by 2030, chemical pesticide use should be cut by 50% and at least 25% of agricultural land should be used for organic farming. To make this a reality, the government must make enormous investments in agricultural and life sciences, coupled with an increased effort from researchers, businesses, and farmers.

Moreover, in 2022, new regulations to promote the use of microorganisms in crop protection products have been approved by member states of the European Union (EU). The law would streamline the EU's approval procedure for biological control agents (BCAs). The European Commission expects that this will help them achieve their goal of lowering the usage of conventional pesticides throughout the EU as part of their Farm to Fork plan and increase the use of biocontrol agents for plant disease.

Additionally, under the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Assam Agricultural University organizes regular training programs on on-farm production of biological control agents and microbial biopesticides at the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM).  

Technological advancements

The market for biological control agents is currently being developed and expanded through increased R&D partnerships, collaborations, and other initiatives. This market is anticipated to expand as customer tastes for organic food products change. For instance, in 2020, Syngenta Crop Protection AG introduced Spiropidion, an insect management technology. Spiropidion helps producers protect their crops from damaging sucking pests in an effective and environmentally responsible way.

North America and Asia Pacific regions are anticipated to hold notable shares during the forecast period

The North American market has been pushed by growing awareness of the effectiveness of microbial pesticides and the increasing concerns over items with organic labels. The highly developed agricultural industry in the United States has begun to adapt to natural and organic farming methods. Consequently, there is a rising tendency for the usage of biological control products.

Whereas, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness a high CAGR in the coming years. The main elements influencing the regional market demand are the rising expense of chemical inputs, their negative impact on soil quality and the environment, the growing knowledge regarding balanced plant nutrition, and the use of biocontrol agents for plant disease. The significant use of biological control agents is partly a result of the increase in the price of pesticides.

Market Developments

• In May 2023, the Integrated Biological Control Laboratory at the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM) in Hyderabad, Telangana, was officially opened by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
• In May 2023, a new digital biocontrol training platform has been made available by The Bionema Group Ltd. to assist end-users in getting the most out of their highly successful biologically based treatments, which protect and unobtrusively improve crops.
• In 2021, the release of the stem-boring weevil Listronotus steosipennis as a biocontrol agent for the management of Parthenium hysterophorus in Pakistan was authorised. Parthenium has spread throughout a large portion of the nation, producing issues in both urban and rural regions.

Segmentation:

By Active Substance

• Microbials
• Macro-organisms
• Biochemical

By Crops

• Fruits & Vegetables
• Cereals & Grains
• Pulses
• Others

By Application

• Seed treatment
• On-field
• Post-harvest

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