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Market Overview

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The global seed treatment market, valued at $7,925 million in 2021, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.43% and reach $13,587 million by 2027. This growth is primarily driven by the rising prevalence of seed and soil-borne diseases and the increasing demand for treated seeds.

There is a pressing need to protect seeds and seedlings from various diseases to minimize crop losses and meet the growing food demand. Seed coating applications provide protection against pests and soil-borne microorganisms, making it a preferred choice for farmers. Moreover, the on-farm application convenience of seed coating techniques further contributes to its popularity. Diseases such as root rot, wilt, blight, damping off, root-knot nematode, fungal diseases, and early blight have been compromising the immunity of seeds and seedlings. In response to these challenges, companies have developed seed treatment products that improve the quality, productivity, and sustainability of agricultural production systems. As a result, regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are increasingly adopting treated seeds and seed treatment products. In developing and undeveloped countries, where farmers reuse stored seeds from previous yields, seed enhancement practices like priming, steeping, hardening, pelleting, encrusting, and film-coating are common. Consequently, seed treatment products find significant usage in these practices.

The seed treatment market is currently in the development phase, with ongoing research and development efforts focusing on treated seeds, biological seed treatment products, and seed pelleting techniques. These advancements are expected to boost the demand for seed treatment in farming practices.

Increasing investments in seed treatment R&D present a major opportunity in the global market. The functions of seed treatment, such as seed protection, seedling protection, and seed germination, attract seed manufacturers, farmers, and animal feed producers. The rise of precision farming and the increasing prevalence of seed-borne diseases also contribute to the market opportunity for seed treatment manufacturers. As seed treatment reduces costs in farming practices and enhances seed germination, farmers are increasingly adopting it. Additionally, the adoption of biological seed treatment products in farming practices is gaining momentum in North America and Europe, as these regions embrace the Agriculture 4.0 revolution. This creates even better opportunities in these markets.

Furthermore, seed treatment products find application in various crop types, including oilseeds, cereals & grains, and fruits & vegetables. The growing demand for treated seeds further drives the seed treatment market during the forecast period of 2022-2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a direct impact on the manufacturing and transportation activities of the seed treatment market. Supply chains were disrupted globally as governments closed international trades and production units. However, by mid-2021, manufacturing and transportation activities gradually resumed as international trades reopened. Therefore, post-pandemic, the production and consumption of seed treatment products are expected to increase.

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Market Segmentation

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

Segmentation by Application Technique
Seed Coating
Seed Dressing
Seed Pelleting

Segmentation by Crop Type
Oilseeds
Cereals & Grains
Fruits & Vegetables
Others

Segmentation by Product Type
Chemical Seed Treatment
Non-Chemical Seed Treatment

Segmentation by Formulation
Liquid Solution
Powder
Emulsion
Flowable Concentrate
Water Dispersible Powder for Slurry
Others

Segmentation by Function
Seed Protection
Seed Enhancement

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

In the application technique segment, the seed coating application technique is expected to dominate the global seed treatment market. This technique is commonly used for mass-produced treated seeds in developing countries. Seed treatment application techniques vary based on seed size, shape, and weight, and can be classified into seed coating, seed dressing, and seed pelleting. On an industrial scale, seed coating is widely preferred. Seed pelleting, on the other hand, is specifically used for horticultural and small-size seeds to enhance shape and weight, aiding in seed placement during sowing. Seed treatment applications offer various benefits such as increased crop yield, improved seed germination, and protection against soil-borne diseases.

The market value of the cereal and grains segment was $3,309 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $4,896 million by 2027, with a CAGR of 6.37%. The growth in the fruit and vegetable segment is driven by the increasing demand for fresh produce. Cereals and grains are expected to dominate the global seed treatment market in the crop type segment, including rice, wheat, corn, sorghum, and barley. The demand for cereals and grains, coupled with the growing awareness of treated seeds, will further drive the seed treatment market. Other crops in the segment include oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, and other crops. The rising cost of genetically modified (GM) seeds has led farmers to prefer seed treatment processes as a cost-effective alternative. Seed treatment acts as a safeguard, protecting seeds from soil-borne diseases and promoting the germination of oilseeds, cereals and grains, and fruits and vegetables.

Chemical seed treatment dominates the global seed treatment market. It involves the use of insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, fertilizers, plant growth nutrients, or a combination of these chemicals. The increasing demand for high-value insecticide and fungicide seed treatment products drives the chemical seed treatment market. Additionally, the demand for commercial and ornamental seeds contributes to its growth. Chemical seed treatment is particularly useful for small size and irregular shape seeds, enabling mechanical sowing practices by increasing seed size and shape. Farmer awareness, acceptance of chemical seed treatment, and product availability further drive the market.

The liquid solution segment was valued at $2,629 million in 2021 and is expected to reach $5,334 million by 2027, with a CAGR of 12.40%. The growing demand for biological seed treatment products is a major driver for the liquid solution segment. Liquid solutions dominate the global seed treatment market due to their ease of use and high effectiveness. The increasing adoption of biological seed treatment products and organic farming practices contributes to the growth of liquid solution formulations. Other forms of seed treatment formulations include powder, emulsion, flowable concentrate, water-dispersible powder for slurry, and others. Powder-based seed treatment products are commonly used by small landholder farmers.

The seed protection segment, valued at $5,725 million in 2021, is projected to reach $10,363 million by 2027, with a CAGR of 10.44%. Seed protection involves applying fungicides, insecticides, or a combination on seeds prior to planting to mitigate seed and soil-borne microorganisms and storage insects. This ensures optimal crop yield without negative environmental impacts. The seed treatment market is differentiated based on functionality into seed protection and seed enhancement. Seed protection is crucial as it allows plants to absorb beneficial properties before germination. It can be further classified into chemical and biological seed treatment. Seed enhancement includes germination, seed priming, and seed disinfection.

North America generated the highest revenue of $2.41 billion in 2021, driven by R&D advancements and supportive government regulations. The region’s emphasis on organic food and precision farming makes it attractive for the biological seed treatment market. The adoption of seed treatment is high in North America due to government policies aimed at increasing crop yield. The region is expected to show healthy growth, driven by increased consumption and popularity of treated seeds and seed treatment products.

In the forecast period 2022-2027, the Asia-Pacific and Japan region is projected to exhibit the fastest market growth at over 7.53%. This growth is attributed to the increasing urban population and favorable government investments. Economically advancing countries like India, Malaysia, and Japan contribute to the regional growth of the seed treatment market.

Among all countries, the U.S. generated the highest revenue of $1,716 million in 2021. This is due to the farmers’ high adaptability to treated seeds and the need to enhance production with a decreasing number of farms. Extensive R&D activities and the expansion of seed treatment product portfolios by leading players further contribute to the market growth in the country, benefiting fruit and vegetable producers as well.

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Competitive Landscape

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The selection of the profiled companies was based on inputs obtained from primary experts, as well as an analysis of company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Among the leading players in the market segment, seed treatment public companies dominate, capturing approximately 60% of the market share. Private players in the seed treatment industry account for around 40% of the market presence.

Key companies profiled in this report include ADAMA, BASF SE, Bayer AG, Croda International Plc, DuPont, Eastman Chemical Company, FMC Corporation, Nufarm, Solvay, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Syngenta, UPL, Agrauxine, BioWorks, Andes, SilviBio, SeedEFE, Inari Agriculture Inc, Ad Terram.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In April 2022, BASF SE inaugurated a new center dedicated to sustainable agriculture in North America. The primary objective of this facility is to expand BASF’s portfolio of biological seed treatment products in the region. By establishing this center, the company aims to raise awareness among farmers and bolster sales of its biological seed treatments in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In May 2022, Bayer Vietnam introduced Routine Start 280FS, a seed germination product specifically designed for rice seeds. As the prevalence of rice seed-borne diseases continues to rise and rice cultivation expands, there is a growing demand for seed treatment solutions in Vietnam. In response to this market demand, Bayer Vietnam strategically launched the Routine Start 280FS product to cater to the needs of rice farmers in the country.

In February 2022, Croda International Plc joined forces with Xampla to develop environmentally friendly and microplastic-free seed coatings technology. Through this collaboration, Croda International Plc is actively engaged in research and development efforts, aiming to take a pioneering role in biodegradable and microplastic-free seed coatings technology within the global seed treatment market.

In May 2022, Corteva Agriscience established the Centre for Seed Applied Technologies (CSAT) laboratory in Rosslyn. This establishment strengthens Corteva Agriscience’s position in the seed treatment business across Africa and Middle East countries, allowing the company to expand its operations and reach in these regions.

Also in May 2022, Syngenta introduced VICTRATO, a seed treatment product designed to protect soybeans, corn, cereals, cotton, and rice seeds from soil-borne fungal diseases. By launching this product, Syngenta aims to provide effective solutions for farmers seeking to safeguard their crops against such diseases.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected revenue of the seed treatment market for the forecast period 2022-2027, and what is the anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during this period?

What are the various applications of seed treatment in the agricultural industry?

What are the primary factors driving and hindering the growth of the seed treatment market?

What are the regulations governing seed treatment production in countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and France?

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

What are the key strategies employed by major players to maintain their competitiveness in the seed treatment market?

How do the leading seed treatment companies in the agriculture market compare in terms of market coverage and market potential?

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