Global Agricultural Biologicals Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts

Market/ Product Overview

The agricultural biologicals market includes biopesticides, biofertilizers, biostimulants, and other natural inputs derived from living organisms or their byproducts, offering sustainable alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. As of 2024, the segment represents about 8.2% of the global crop protection market, a figure expected to exceed 18% by 2032, according to estimates from the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA). This shift is being driven by regulatory restrictions on synthetic pesticides in key markets such as the EU, U.S., and India, and the rapid commercialization of microbial solutions.

With the global population forecast to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 70%. However, this growth must occur without expanding farmland, placing enormous stress on soil health and water resources. Agricultural biologicals are viewed as a strategic lever to boost yields sustainably. In India, for example, biofertilizer consumption grew from ** thousand tonnes in 2020 to over ** thousand tonnes in 2023, while in Brazil, biological crop protection solutions account for over **% of the total pesticide market as of 2024.

Investments are also flowing steadily. In 2023, over US$ 1.6 billion was invested in agricultural biotech startups globally, of which 40% were in biological solutions. Major agritech players such as BASF, Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, and UPL have been expanding their biologicals portfolio, either through R&D or acquisitions of biotech startups.

Global Agricultural Biologicals Supply & Demand Trend

The supply side of agricultural biologicals is rapidly expanding, particularly in Latin America, North America, and Asia-Pacific. As of 2024, over 500 companies are engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of agricultural biologicals globally. Brazil leads in production capacity in Latin America, with over 100 registered biological active ingredients, while India and China are ramping up domestic production to meet the rising demand for sustainable inputs under their national soil health initiatives.

Demand is closely tied to crop types, regulatory landscapes, and organic farming practices. North America accounted for over **% of the global agricultural biologicals demand in 2023, largely due to increasing organic acreage and consumer preference for non-GMO produce. The U.S. currently has over 5.8 million acres under certified organic cultivation, with biopesticides and biostimulants widely used across corn, soybean, and horticultural crops.

Europe remains a key demand hub, driven by the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy, which targets a 50% reduction in chemical pesticide use by 2030. Consequently, the EU agricultural biologicals market surpassed US$ ** billion in 2024 and continues to grow, particularly in Spain, France, and Germany. Meanwhile, in Asia-Pacific, smallholder farmers are increasingly embracing biological inputs as part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs. China alone consumed over ** thousand tonnes of biofertilizers in 2024, a **% jump from the previous year.

Market growth is also fueled by increased shelf-life stability and efficacy of biological formulations. The average shelf life of new-generation biopesticides now exceeds 18 months, addressing one of the biggest historical limitations to farmer adoption.

Global Agricultural Biologicals Market Growth Factors

Global Agricultural Biologicals Market Segmentation

The agricultural biologicals market can be segmented by product type, crop type, mode of application, and end use.

By product type, biopesticides dominate the segment with a 2024 market share of **%, followed by biofertilizers at **%, and biostimulants at **%. Biopesticides are particularly popular in horticulture and greenhouse crops, offering targeted pest control with minimal environmental impact. The U.S. and Brazil collectively accounted for over 60% of global biopesticide consumption in 2023.

In crop type segmentation, cereals & grains led the demand with over **% market share in 2024, followed by fruits & vegetables at **%. The adoption of biostimulants in high-value horticultural crops is growing, with strawberries, tomatoes, and grapes showing **–**% yield improvements in European trials.

By mode of application, foliar sprays account for over **% of total usage due to ease of deployment, while seed treatment and soil application methods are gaining traction. In 2023, seed-applied biologicals grew at a faster rate (CAGR 14%) due to precision delivery and compatibility with commercial seed coatings.

In terms of end users, the market is bifurcated between conventional farmers (**%) integrating biologicals as part of IPM strategies, and organic farmers (**%) using them exclusively. Adoption among large-scale farms in the U.S., Canada, and Australia has been faster due to greater access to technical advisory and subsidies.

Regional Market Analysis

North America held the largest share of the global agricultural biologicals market in 2024, accounting for US$ ** billion in value. The U.S. remains a stronghold, with over 600 EPA-registered biological formulations and robust commercial activity from players like Corteva Agriscience and Valent BioSciences.

Europe followed closely with a **% share, valued at US$ ** billion in 2024. France, Spain, and Italy are witnessing rapid uptake due to EU’s Green Deal and stringent Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) norms. Germany has also ramped up subsidies, providing up to 50% reimbursement on biological input purchases for smallholder farms.

Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region with a projected CAGR of 14.5% through 2032. China, with its Zero Growth in Pesticide Usage policy since 2020, has significantly boosted its biopesticide registration base, now exceeding 320 products. India is focusing on improving farmer awareness, with over 50 biocontrol labs established by the Ministry of Agriculture as of 2023.

South America, led by Brazil and Argentina, is quickly becoming a biological hotspot. Brazil alone registered over 70 new biological products between 2022 and 2024. The market value in South America crossed US$ ** billion in 2024, driven by sugarcane, soybean, and citrus crops.

The Middle East and Africa remain nascent but promising, with localized efforts in Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa to promote bio-inputs in horticulture and date palm plantations.

Trade Dynamics

Trade in agricultural biologicals is expanding rapidly. In 2024, global exports of biopesticides and biofertilizers were valued at over US$ ** billion, with the EU accounting for **% of shipments, followed by the U.S. and China. The U.S. exported biological inputs worth US$ ** million in 2024, primarily to Canada, Mexico, and Latin America.

India remains a key exporter of microbial biofertilizers, shipping products worth US$ ** million in 2024, particularly to Africa and Southeast Asia. China’s export of biostimulants grew 28% in volume terms year-on-year, with Vietnam, Thailand, and Brazil as key recipients.

On the import side, countries with strict domestic regulations or underdeveloped manufacturing bases—such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea—rely heavily on imports. In 2024, Japan imported over US$ ** million worth of biological inputs, primarily from the U.S. and EU.

Tariff structures vary, with most WTO members applying 0–5% tariffs on bio-inputs under HS codes 3101 (biofertilizers) and 3808 (biopesticides). However, non-tariff barriers such as residue limits and lengthy registration processes pose greater hurdles than import duties.

Market Competitive Landscape

Future Outlook

The agricultural biologicals market is poised for sustained expansion, with global revenues projected to reach US$ 33.46 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2025. Technological innovation, regulatory shifts, and strong end-user demand will remain central to market evolution. Over 20% of global farmland is expected to use at least one form of biological input by 2030.

North America and Europe will continue to lead in value, while Asia-Pacific and Latin America will dominate in volume growth. Public-private partnerships, farmer education, and favorable regulatory reforms will be crucial for broader adoption. As biologicals transition from complementary to core agricultural tools, their role in global food security and environmental resilience will only become more pronounced.