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Market Overview

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The global agricultural adjuvants market is projected to grow from $3,299 million in 2021 to $4,787 million by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43% from 2022 to 2027. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for adjuvants in precision farming and the need to reduce pesticide waste.

With a rapidly growing world population expected to reach 10 billion by 2057, the demand for food is escalating. To meet this demand from limited farmlands and labor, agrochemical manufacturers are introducing innovative solutions in farming. Agricultural adjuvants play a crucial role in protecting crop plants from insects, pests, and weeds. These adjuvants improve the performance and physical properties of agrochemicals such as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and plant growth regulators (PGR). They are used as activator modifiers, utility modifiers, compatibility agents, buffers, acidifiers, antifoam agents, drift control agents, thickening agents, spreaders, and stickers. Agricultural adjuvants enhance efficiency in the agriculture industry and can be applied in precision farming for various crops, including cereals and grains, oilseeds and pulses, and fruits and vegetables.

The agricultural adjuvants market is in the development phase, with increasing research and development activities focused on green and organic agricultural adjuvants. Consumer preference for organic food consumption is driving the demand for environmentally friendly adjuvants.

Investments in the research and development of agricultural adjuvants present significant opportunities in the market. Additionally, the various functions of agricultural adjuvants, such as spreaders, stickers, thickening agents, compatibility agents, buffers/acidifiers, drift control agents, and antifoam agents, are attracting farmers and finding applications in different crop types.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on the manufacturing and transportation activities of the agricultural adjuvants market. Supply chains were disrupted globally as governments implemented trade and production restrictions. However, manufacturing and transportation activities have resumed gradually, and international trades have become more efficient since mid-2021. As a result, the production and consumption of agricultural adjuvants are expected to increase post-pandemic.

The demand drivers for the agricultural adjuvants market include the increasing utilization of crop protection chemicals in farming, the demand for adjuvants in precision farming, the need to limit pesticide waste, and the rising demand for adjuvants to improve yield. However, the market may face limitations due to stringent regulations on manufacturing agricultural adjuvants and environmental concerns related to petroleum oil-based adjuvants.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including application, crop type, function, formulation, and region.

Segmentation by Application
Insecticide
Herbicide
Fungicide
Others

Segmentation by Crop Type
Cereals & Grains – Maize, Wheat, Rice, and Others
Oilseeds & Pulses – Soybean and Others
Fruits & Vegetables
Others

Segmentation by Function
Activator Modifiers – Surfactants and Oil Adjuvants
Utility Modifiers – Compatibility Agents, Antifoam Agents, Buffers/Acidifiers, and Drift Control Agents
Others – Thickening Agents, Spreaders, and Stickers

Segmentation by Formulation
Suspension Concentrate
Emulsifiable Concentrate

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Europe – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest-of-Europe
China
U.K.
Asia-Pacific and Japan – Japan, India, Malaysia, Australia, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific and Japan
Middle East and Africa – U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and South Africa
South America – Brazil, Argentina, and Rest-of-South America

The herbicide application segment is expected to dominate the global agricultural adjuvants market in terms of application. This is because agricultural adjuvants enhance the performance of herbicides by improving mixing and handling, increasing effectiveness and safety, ensuring better distribution, and reducing drift on farms. Agricultural adjuvants are mixed with various crop protection chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides to be sprayed over crops/farms, leading to improved productivity. The chemical properties of adjuvants, such as adhesion, spreading, and wetting, increase the efficiency of the pesticides. Most adjuvants are mixed with crop protection chemicals in a tank and then sprayed over the crops. In 2021, herbicide application accounted for 43.46% of the total revenue generated by agricultural adjuvants, making it the dominant application segment. It is projected that the herbicide application segment will exhibit the highest growth rates during the period 2022-2027. This growth can be attributed to increasing pressure on global food production, adoption of modern farming practices and technologies, and the consequent demand for pesticides, which will drive the agricultural adjuvants market. Moreover, the herbicides-based adjuvants segment is growing due to the increased focus on weed control in crop plants and improving crop yields.

Agricultural adjuvants are used across various crop types, including cereals and pulses, oilseeds and pulses, and fruits and vegetables, for both yield improvement and crop protection. Recently, adjuvants have been extensively used in fruits and vegetables for disease prevention. These adjuvants can be directly sprayed on the leaves as they suffocate pests. In 2021, the fruits and vegetables segment generated a revenue of $817 million. In terms of volume, this segment accounted for 65.2 kilotons of the market size in 2021, and it is projected to reach 129 kilotons by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.10% between 2022 and 2027. Cereals and grains also make significant use of agricultural adjuvants. The crops considered in this study include maize, wheat, rice, barley, soybean, sorghum, and other food crops, as well as cash crops such as cotton, peanuts, jute, and oilseeds. These crops are mass-produced and play a vital role in the food and fiber supply chains.

The agricultural adjuvants market is segmented into two major formulation categories: suspension concentrate and emulsifiable concentrate. Suspension concentrates consist of insoluble solid active ingredients suspended in water, aided by dispersing and wetting agents for safer and better application on crop surfaces. Suspension concentrate is the preferred formulation in the agricultural adjuvants market because it improves crop safety. This formulation is particularly suitable for active ingredients with low water solubility. As a result, the suspension concentrate segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.05% during the period 2022-2027.

In terms of formulation, the agricultural adjuvants market is further segmented into three major categories: activator modifiers (surfactants and oil adjuvants), utility modifiers (compatibility agents, buffers/acidifiers, antifoam agents, drift control agents), and others (thickening agents, spreaders, stickers). Activator modifiers enhance the biological performance of pesticides by altering characteristics such as particle size, spray distribution, viscosity, herbicide intake rate, and herbicide solubility in the spray solution. Utility modifiers are adjuvants added to improve the formulation and reduce adverse effects during spray application. They change the physical and chemical properties of adjuvants, making them easier to use and reducing negative impacts. Utility modifiers include emulsifiers, stabilizing agents, dispersants, coupling agents, compatibility agents, and buffering agents.

The trends in the agricultural adjuvants market vary across different regions, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Japan, the U.K., China, and the Middle East and Africa. Currently, North America leads the market, with high market penetration in countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In 2021, North America generated the highest revenue of $1.12 billion in the agricultural adjuvants market. This can be attributed to widespread adoption of adjuvants in most countries and the government’s focus on increasing agricultural yield to meet growing demand. North America is expected to continue showing healthy growth over the next five years, driven by high consumption rates and the increasing popularity of precision farming techniques.

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Competitive Landscape

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Key players in the agricultural adjuvants market include BASF SE, Brandt Consolidated, Inc., Corteva Agriscience Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Nouryon, Nufarm Limited, Nutrien Ltd., Solvay S.A, Stepan Company, Wilbur-Ellis Holdings, Inc., Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC, Innvictis Crop Care, LLC, Kalo, Inc., J.M. Huber Corporation, and Precision Laboratories Inc. For instance, Nouryon launched Adsee AMP40, a globally available salt-free adjuvant in November 2020. Adsee AMP40 is a biodegradable and cost-efficient solution that benefits farmers, contributing to Nouryon’s global adjuvants sales. Additionally, Attune Agriculture, based in the United States, formed a partnership with Nufarm Ltd. in April 2020 to expand sales of their Ampersand adjuvant in Mexico.

Public companies in the agricultural adjuvants industry dominate the market, comprising approximately 60% of the market presence. The remaining 40% is held by private players in the agricultural adjuvants sector.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In April 2022, PacBio, a provider of highly accurate sequencing platforms, announced a collaboration with Corteva, a global agriculture company, to jointly develop customized end-to-end workflows and adjuvants for plant, pest, and microbial sequencing.

In March 2022, Brandt, Inc. introduced a new adjuvant technology called BRANDT Integras Adjuvant Technology. This advanced technology aims to enhance pesticide application efficiency and reduce losses.

In August 2021, Univar Solutions Inc. entered into a partnership with Solvay, a global distributor and provider of chemicals and ingredients. Through this collaboration, Solvay will distribute its agrochemical defensives, adjuvants, and fertilizers in Brazil.

In August 2021, Evonik Industries AG and Tropfen formed a partnership in South America, allowing Evonik Industries AG to expand its presence in the region. This collaboration enabled them to treat over 7 million hectares of crops using BREAK-THRU adjuvants.

In July 2021, Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC, and Vive Crop Protection signed a distribution agreement targeting the U.S. market. This agreement facilitated the expansion of their adjuvant business within the agricultural adjuvants market in the United States.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected revenue size of the agricultural adjuvants market for the forecast period of 2022-2027?

What is the anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period of 2022-2027?

What are the various applications of agricultural adjuvants in the agricultural industry?

What are the significant drivers and challenges influencing the growth of the agricultural adjuvants market?

What are the regulatory requirements for producing agricultural adjuvants in countries like the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and France?

What is the expected future scenario of the agricultural adjuvants market in different regions and countries, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Japan, China, the U.K., South America, and the Middle East and Africa?

What are the key strategies implemented by major players to maintain a competitive position in the agricultural adjuvants market?

How do the key agricultural adjuvants companies in the agriculture market compare in terms of their market coverage and potential?

What is the projected revenue and growth percentage for each segment during the forecast period?