The soil active herbicides market consists of herbicides that are applied to the soil before or during planting for the purpose of controlling weeds. Soil active herbicides, which are applied pre-emergent or pre-plant, are absorbed by germinating weed seeds or weed roots in the soil. Some key benefits of soil active herbicides include increased crop yields by preventing early season weed competition, broad spectrum control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds, and long-lasting residual weed control. With the growing global population and rising food demand, soil active herbicides play a vital role in maximizing crop production by effectively managing weeds.
The Global soil active herbicides market is estimated to be valued at US$ 9841.66 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 22% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the soil active herbicides market are GE Additive, Stratasys Ltd., Materialise N.V., EoS GmbH, Allevi, Inc., RegenHU, EnvisionTEC GmbH, 3D Systems, Inc., Nanoscribe GmbH, and GPI Prototype and Manufacturing Services, LLC. These players are focusing on new product launches and expansions to meet the growing demand for Soil Active Herbicides Market Demand. For instance, in 2022, Stratasys Ltd. launched its new F770 3D printer for mass production of end-use parts.
The global demand for food is projected to increase by over 50% by 2050. With declining farmland, there is an increasing need to boost agriculture productivity through effective crop protection solutions. Soil active herbicides ensure high crop yields by preventing yield losses from weed infestation. The growing population and rapid urbanization will drive the need for higher food production, fueling demand for soil active herbicides.
The soil active herbicides market is expanding globally with growth in emerging economies providing new opportunities. Regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America are witnessing increased adoption of modern agriculture practices and crop protection solutions to meet the rising food demand. Favorable government initiatives for agriculture development will further support the market growth in developing regions over the coming years.
Market drivers
Increasing instances of herbicide resistance in weeds is a major growth driver for the soil active herbicides market. Overuse and misuse of certain herbicides have led to the development of resistant weed strains which are not controlled by commonly used herbicides. This has created the need for newer and more effective soil active herbicides. Continuous product innovation by major players to introduce herbicide-resistant traits tailored to regional weed flora will boost market revenues. Moreover, the market is driven by the expansion of genetically modified crop area globally which often requires complementary herbicides for effective weed management.
The global Soil Active Herbicides Market is facing significant challenges due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts around the world. The Russia-Ukraine war has severely disrupted the supply chains and export of key agrochemicals from both countries. Russia and Ukraine are among the largest exporters of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. The conflict has caused a sharp rise in commodity prices including fuel and disrupted land operations in Ukraine. This has increased input costs substantially for farmers globally. The market will face demand compression in the short to medium term until alternative supply routes are established. Countries will need to diversify their sources of agrochemicals and enter into new trade partnerships to reduce dependence on the conflict affected nations. Local production of key agrochemicals will also need to be ramped up wherever possible. Governments may provide support to farmers and subsidize agro input prices to balance the inflationary impact in food prices. Overall, geopolitical risks remain high which can negatively impact the projected growth trajectory of this market in the coming years if not effectively mitigated.
In terms of value, North America represents the most concentrated region for the Soil Active Herbicides Market currently. It accounts for over 30% of the global market revenue owing to large agricultural land and intensive farming practices in countries like the US and Canada. Farmers in the region extensively utilize various soil active herbicides for effective weed management in major crops such as corn, soybean, cereals and vegetables. Strong demand from agricultural sector, farm mechanization and adoption of advanced agrochemicals have been the key growth drivers. Europe is another sizable regional market holding around 25% share. However, with rising population and emphasis on food security, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as an important market for soil active herbicides globally with countries like India and China among the top consumers.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth in the Soil Active Herbicides Market during the forecast period. Rapid expansion of agricultural activities to meet the rising food demand from a huge population base in counties such as India and China will spur the market growth. Increasing mechanization of agricultural operations and integration of advanced weed management practices are other significant factors driving higher product adoption. Furthermore, support from government initiatives to boost farm productivity and growth of contract farming are encouraging higher agrochemical consumption. Rising awareness about best practices and availability of low-cost herbicides are also augmenting the market growth in Asia. With strong economic development and focus on modern agriculture, the region holds immense opportunities for soil herbicide manufacturers globally.
The geographies of Eastern Europe and Latin America are anticipated to emerge as new hotspots of opportunities for players in the Soil Active Herbicides Market. Regions like Eastern Europe have been traditional producers and exporters of agrochemicals to major markets globally. However, ongoing political turmoil and conflicts are expected to negatively impact exports from these volatile regions. On the other hand, Latin America with countries like Brazil and Argentina poised to become agriculture powerhouses presents massive untapped potential. As economic conditions improve, these growing regions will see higher agricultural mechanization and greater use of advanced soil herbicides for commercial crop production. Manufacturers should explore partnerships and build domestic manufacturing capacities to gain early advantage in the rising agricultural markets of Eastern Europe and Latin America.
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