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Market Overview

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The global biological control agents market is anticipated to witness significant growth, with a projected value of $11 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.96%. This growth can be attributed to the increasing awareness of the detrimental effects of chemical plant protection products, the rising demand for organic food, and the advantages offered by biological control agents compared to traditional chemical control products.

There is a pressing need to safeguard plants and crops from diseases and pests in order to meet the growing demand for food and minimize crop losses. In 2018, the Weed Science Society of America reported that worldwide crop losses due to weeds and pests amounted to $27 billion, with maize and soybeans alone facing a potential annual loss of $16 billion. In response to this need, companies have developed bio-based crop protection products that improve the quality, productivity, and sustainability of agricultural production systems, as well as disease vector management in public health systems. As a result, countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other regions are increasingly adopting bio-based crop protection products and technologies. The global acceptance of green crop protection practices also fuels the demand for agricultural biological control products, which are crucial for addressing pesticide residues on food and the issue of pest resistance. To cater to the growing demand for organic food and biological control solutions, both established players and startups in the agriculture industry are introducing innovative solutions based on biological control agents. Countries such as the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, and Australia have been early adopters of advanced farming technologies, while emerging nations like India are experiencing rapid growth in technology adoption driven by safety concerns and government initiatives to achieve sustainability goals.

The biological control agents market is still in its growth phase, with ongoing research and development collaborations, partnerships, and other initiatives aimed at expanding this market. The shift in consumer preferences towards organic food products further contributes to this growth. Opportunities abound in emerging economies where advancements and research in this field are gaining momentum.

As sustainability takes center stage globally, the demand for eco-friendly, sustainable, and organically produced products presents significant sales and financing opportunities. This shift is particularly evident in the food and beverages industry in regions like North America and Europe. Therefore, biological control agents products are key in meeting the agricultural suitability criteria, offering consumers organic options such as fruits and vegetables.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the transfer of plant protection products (PPPs) from local or foreign sources to ground use. This limitation has led to increased investment in biological crop protection, driven by concerns about food security and a shift towards organic food consumption to ensure more robust supply chains. Consequently, there has been a heightened demand for new product formulations such as bio fungicides, biopesticides, and biostimulants in the crop protection industry, prompted by the limited availability and increased cost of conventional chemical crop protection products. With the lockdown measures affecting raw material supply, growers have sought alternatives, thus influencing the growth of the biological control agents market.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including crop, mode of application, target, product, and region.

Segmentation by Crop
Cereals
Fruits and Vegetables
Pulses and Oilseeds
Others

Segmentation by Mode of Application
Seed Treatment
Foliar Spray
Soil Treatment
Others

Segmentation by Target
Arthropods
Weeds
Microorganisms

Segmentation by Product
Microbials – Bacteria, Virus, Fungus, Nematodes, and Others
Macrobials – Parasitoids and Predators

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
South America – Brazil, Argentina
Europe – Germany, France, and Spain
U.K.
Middle East and Africa – Israel and South Africa
China
Asia Pacific – Japan, India, and Australia and New Zealand

The crop application segment is poised to dominate the global biological control agents market, with fruits and vegetables leading the way. This dominance can be attributed to the high vulnerability of fruits and vegetables to pest attacks. As the demand for organic produce continues to rise, there is a growing need for effective biological control agents to enhance crop yield. These agents also play a crucial role in reducing post-harvest losses and extending the shelf life of products. The propagation of agricultural biological control agents involves various methods such as foliar spray, seed treatment, soil treatment, and others (including post-harvest treatment).

Seed treatment is expected to be the dominant mode of application in the global biological control agents market. Its high market share and growth potential can be attributed to its proven success rate. Foliar spray, on the other hand, is the most widely used method of propagation due to its ability to improve crop quality, increase production, and control pests. The increasing acceptance of biological microbes and smart farming techniques has been driving the popularity of foliar spray. Agricultural biological control agents offer solutions that target different types of organisms. Products designed to eliminate microorganisms like bacteria and fungi are known as bio fungicides and bio bactericides, respectively. Bio herbicides, on the other hand, are used to control weeds.

In terms of target application, the arthropods segment is expected to dominate the global biological control agents market. Factors contributing to this growth include bans on chemical pesticides or insecticides, rising concerns about residual levels in food products, and extensive farm operations.

The product segment of the biological control agents market is divided into microbials and macrobials. Microbials consist of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes, while macrobials include parasitoids and predators. Microbial-based solutions are projected to dominate the market, driven by factors such as the availability and production ease of microbial strains, enhanced nutrient availability in the soil, and high adoption rates among growers.

The adoption and utilization of biological control agents vary worldwide but are expected to grow in the forecast period. The market’s rapid growth can be attributed to increasing awareness of the harmful effects of chemical plant protection products, growing demand for organic food, and the advantages offered by biological control agents over conventional products. North America generated the highest revenue in 2021, reaching $1,676 million, and is expected to maintain a significant share of revenue from 2022 to 2027. The region’s dominant position can be attributed to the favorable attitudes of growers towards adoption and the presence of leading biological control agents solutions providers. Within North America, the U.S. holds the largest market share with 41% in 2021.

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Competitive Landscape

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Key players in the global biological control agents market have made significant advancements through strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, business expansion, partnerships, collaborations, and joint ventures. Partnership and collaboration have emerged as the preferred approaches for companies seeking to strengthen their position in the global biological control agents market. For example, in January 2022, Bayer AG and MustGrow announced a collaboration to produce organic biological products across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Under this collaboration, MustGrow granted Bayer AG the right to utilize its biological herbicides and potato preservation technique.

The selection of companies for profiling was based on inputs from industry experts, analysis of company coverage, product portfolios, and market penetration.

The leading players in the market are primarily providers of microbials-based products, as well as those that offer products based on both microbials and macrobials. As of 2022, players in the microbial industry account for approximately 61.67% of market presence, while players in the second category account for around 38.33% of market presence.

Key companies profiled in this report include AGBIOME, LLC, Andermatt Group AG, BASF SE, Bayer AG, Certis USA L.L.C., Corteva, Nufarm, Rizobacter, Syngenta AG, United Phosphorous Ltd., Valent BioSciences LLC, Biobest Group NV, Gowan Company, L.L.C., Koppert, Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In March 2022, Bioceres Crop Solutions and Marrone Bio Innovations announced a merger agreement, wherein the transaction would be conducted entirely through stock exchanges. This merger aims to bring together Bioceres’ bio-based solutions in the fields of bio nutrition and seed care with Marrone Bio’s portfolio of products and development pipeline focused on biological crop protection and plant health, including bio nutrition and biostimulant products.

In August 2021, Terramera, a renowned global agtech pioneer known for its Actigate technology, entered into a collaboration with Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. The purpose of this collaboration is to combine their expertise and knowledge in both technology and biological solutions to enhance the effectiveness of crop protection products and accelerate product development.

In April 2021, Australian company Biological Services was acquired by Biobest Group NV. This strategic partnership between the two companies aims to usher in a new era of biological control services in Australia, leveraging their combined capabilities and resources.

In February 2021, United Phosphorous Ltd. (UPL) and Novozymes joined forces in a collaboration to introduce a wide range of biological products to the Argentine market. Novozymes’ biological products, marketed under the Nitragin brand, were integrated into UPL’s portfolio, enabling the company to offer a comprehensive array of biosolutions and crop protection products.

In September 2020, BASF acquired AgriMetis’ proprietary Glu-L technology, which focuses on L-glufosinate ammonium. By incorporating this technology into its offerings, BASF aims to provide its customers with improved formulations and more efficient products for weed control.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected revenue of the global biological control agents market for the forecast period 2022-2027?

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

What are the key market trends, drivers, and opportunities in the biological control agents market?

What are the major factors restraining the growth of the global biological control agents market?

What new strategies are existing market players adopting to expand their market position in the industry?

Based on recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence, what is the competitive strength of the key players in the biological control agents market?

How do the key agricultural biological control agents companies in the agriculture market compare in terms of market coverage and potential?

For each segment, what revenue and growth percentage are expected during the forecast period?

Who are the players and stakeholders operating in the market ecosystem of biological control agents, and what is their significance in the global market?