India Mancozeb Market – Trend Analysis & Forecast to 2030

The India mancozeb production volume reached 118.70 thousand tonnes in 2022, marking a significant 51% surge between 2017 to 2022. Currently, the installed capacity of mancozeb manufacturing units in India stands at 121.80 thousand tonnes (2021-22), which is nearly 55-60% of global capacity.
Mancozeb, a widely used fungicide, plays a pivotal role in protecting crops from fungal diseases, thus ensuring food security and sustaining agricultural productivity. In India, the Mancozeb market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the country's expanding agricultural sector and the imperative need to safeguard crops against diseases.

Market Overview

The India Mancozeb market has experienced notable growth in recent years, propelled by increasing demand from farmers across diverse agricultural regions. Mancozeb's effectiveness in combating fungal infections in crops such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals has positioned it as a vital component in India's crop protection arsenal. With a growing emphasis on enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, the demand for Mancozeb continues to rise steadily.

India boasts several established Mancozeb manufacturing units distributed across key agricultural regions. Major production facilities are situated in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. These manufacturing units are equipped with modern technology and infrastructure, enabling them to produce high-quality Mancozeb formulations to meet the diverse needs of Indian farmers.

In 2022, there was a notable increase in the prices of Mancozeb. This surge can be attributed to labor shortages and heightened production expenses incurred as a result of safety protocols and adherence to COVID-19 regulations. These factors have directly influenced the overall production costs of Mancozeb, consequently impacting its pricing.

India Mancozeb Market Dynamics

Key factors contributing to the use of mancozeb in India:

Several factors contribute to the widespread use and popularity of mancozeb in India, especially in agriculture. These factors encompass its efficacy, versatility, affordability, regulatory approval, and the agricultural landscape of the country.

■ Broad Spectrum Fungicidal Activity: Mancozeb exhibits a broad spectrum of activity against various fungal pathogens, making it effective in controlling a wide range of plant diseases. Its versatility in targeting different types of fungi contributes to its popularity among farmers growing diverse crops.
■ Effective Disease Control: Mancozeb is highly effective in managing fungal diseases such as blights, rots, mildews, and leaf spots, which are prevalent in many crops grown in India. Its ability to inhibit fungal growth and spread helps farmers protect their crops from diseases and minimize yield losses.
■ Affordability: Mancozeb-based formulations are relatively cost-effective compared to other fungicides available in the market. This affordability makes it accessible to a wide range of farmers, including smallholders with limited budgets, thereby contributing to its widespread adoption.
■ Ease of Application: Mancozeb formulations are easy to apply and can be integrated into existing agricultural practices. Farmers can use mancozeb as a foliar spray, seed treatment, or soil drench, depending on the crop and disease being targeted. Its compatibility with other agrochemicals further enhances its usability and convenience.
■ Regulatory Approval: Mancozeb is an approved fungicide in India and has been registered for use in various crops by regulatory authorities such as the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC). Its registration ensures compliance with safety and efficacy standards, instilling confidence among farmers regarding its use.
■ Climate and Environmental Conditions: The diverse climatic conditions prevalent in India, ranging from tropical to temperate, create favorable environments for the proliferation of fungal diseases. Mancozeb's effectiveness under varying climatic conditions makes it a preferred choice for disease management across different regions of the country.
■ Crop Diversity: India is known for its diverse agricultural landscape, with a wide range of crops grown throughout the year. Mancozeb's compatibility with various crops, including cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, and cash crops, enhances its utility and demand among farmers cultivating different crops.
■ Integrated Disease Management: Mancozeb is often used as part of integrated disease management (IDM) strategies, where it is combined with cultural practices, crop rotation, and other fungicides to achieve optimal disease control. Its inclusion in IDM programs helps farmers mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks and minimize reliance on single-mode control measures.

Mancozeb, a widely used broad-spectrum fungicide, plays a crucial role in protecting various crops from fungal diseases, ensuring higher yields and quality.

■ Broad Spectrum Fungicidal Activity: Mancozeb exhibits a broad spectrum of activity against various fungal pathogens, making it effective in controlling a wide range of plant diseases. Its versatility in targeting different types of fungi contributes to its popularity among farmers growing diverse crops.
■ Fruits and Vegetables: With India's horticultural sector growing rapidly, Mancozeb is increasingly used to safeguard crops like grapes, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, and cucurbits from harmful fungal infections, ensuring healthy growth and better yields.
In grape cultivation, fungal diseases like downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) pose significant threats to vine health and fruit quality. Mancozeb formulations are applied during the growing season to protect grapevines from these diseases and minimize yield losses.
■ Cereals and Pulses: Mancozeb is essential in defending cereals and pulses such as wheat, rice, maize, peanuts, and pulses against diseases like blight, rust, and mildew, helping to stabilize yields and improve crop health.
■ Cash Crops: Mancozeb application is also vital for cash crops like cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, and oilseeds, protecting them from fungal threats and ensuring optimal yield and quality, thereby maintaining their importance in India’s agricultural economy.

In summary, the efficacy, affordability, regulatory approval, ease of application, and compatibility with diverse crops and environmental conditions make mancozeb a preferred choice for disease management in Indian agriculture. Its continued use underscores its importance in ensuring crop health, productivity, and food security across the country's agricultural landscape.

Opportunities in the India Mancozeb Market

Opportunities abound in the Indian mancozeb market due to rising food demand, the shift toward sustainable farming, and technological advancements. With increasing government support and a growing horticulture sector, there's a chance for mancozeb to expand its reach. Additionally, educating farmers and exploring export possibilities can further boost its growth. Meeting international quality and safety standards can open up export avenues for mancozeb manufacturers and suppliers.

■ Rising Demand for Crop Protection
■ Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices
■ Expansion of Horticulture and Specialty Crop Cultivation
■ Technological Advancements in Formulations
■ Export Opportunities

Market Restraints

Alternatives to Mancozeb Pesticides:
Several alternative pesticides can be used as substitutes for mancozeb, depending on the specific crop and disease being targeted.

■ Copper-based fungicides: Copper-based products, such as copper hydroxide and copper oxychloride, are effective alternatives for managing fungal diseases in many crops.
■ Triazole fungicides: Triazole fungicides, including tebuconazole, propiconazole, and difenoconazole, offer systemic control against a wide range of fungal diseases.
■ Strobilurin fungicides: Strobilurin fungicides, such as azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, have broad-spectrum activity against fungal pathogens and offer preventive and curative control of diseases.
■ Dithiocarbamate fungicides: Dithiocarbamate fungicides, like mancozeb, are multisite inhibitors of fungal respiration. Examples include zineb and propineb, which can provide effective control against various fungal diseases.
■ Carbamate fungicides: Carbamate fungicides, such as thiram and ziram, are contact fungicides that act by inhibiting spore germination and mycelial growth of fungi. They are commonly used for seed treatment and foliar applications.
■ Benzimidazole fungicides: Benzimidazole fungicides, like carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, and benomyl (now banned in several countries), target fungal cell division and can provide systemic protection against certain diseases.
■ Biological control agents: Biological control agents, including biofungicides and microbial inoculants, offer environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. These include products containing beneficial microorganisms like Bacillus subtilis or Trichoderma species, which can suppress fungal pathogens through competition or antagonism.

It's essential to consider factors such as disease spectrum, efficacy, application method, cost, and environmental impact when selecting alternative pesticides to mancozeb. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, combining cultural practices, crop rotation, and biological controls, can also help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and minimize the risk of resistance development.

Regulatory Landscape and Environmental Concerns

While Mancozeb is widely recognized for its efficacy in crop protection, regulatory scrutiny and environmental concerns surrounding its usage persist. Regulatory bodies such as the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) impose stringent guidelines to ensure the responsible use of Mancozeb formulations, balancing efficacy with environmental safety.

The Indian government's proposal (in May 2020) to ban 27 pesticides (including key products like mancozeb, 2,4-D, and chlorpyrifos) has sent shockwaves throughout the agricultural industry in India as well as globally. This move has stirred concern and uncertainty among farmers, agrochemical companies, and other stakeholders. The banned pesticides include several commonly used chemicals, raising questions about their alternatives and the potential impact on crop protection. The proposal has sparked debates about its necessity, potential repercussions on agricultural productivity, and the need for sustainable pest management practices. The Ministry of Agriculture's decision on 2nd February 2023 to ban three pesticides out of the 27 proposed has brought relief to farmers and the agrochemical industry. Dicofol, Dinocap, and Methomyl were banned due to health and safety risks, with insufficient data on their safety and efficacy. The Central Government of India issued a notification to prohibit the registration, import, manufacture, formulation, transportation, sale, and use of these three pesticides.

India Mancozeb Market Competitive Analysis

In the India Mancozeb market, several key players contribute significantly to the industry's growth and development. These companies are not only major manufacturers but also play pivotal roles in shaping the market landscape and meeting the evolving needs of customers. UPL is a global leader in agricultural solutions, offering a wide range of crop protection products, including mancozeb formulations, to farmers in India and overseas. The company accounts for largest market share in the mancozeb production in India. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, providing effective solutions to enhance crop yields and protect against fungal diseases.

Key Players in the India Mancozeb Market (Manufacturer/ Exporters),

■ UPL Limited
■ Indofil Industries Limited
■ Bayer CropScience Limited
■ Syngenta India Limited
■ PI Industries Limited
■ Rallis India Limited
■ Crystal Crop Protection Limited
■ Dhanuka Agritech Limited
■ Bharat Rasayan Limited
■ Insecticides India Limited
■ Coromandel International Limited
■ Krishi Rasayan Group

These key players, along with several other manufacturers and distributors, form the backbone of the India Mancozeb market. Their collective efforts towards product innovation, quality assurance, and farmer education contribute significantly to the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector in India.

In India, Mancozeb is available under various brand names, marketed by different agricultural input companies. Some popular brands of Mancozeb formulations available in the Indian market include:

■ Dithane (BASF India Limited)
■ Indofil M-45 (Indofil Industries Limited)
■ Saaf (UPL Limited)
■ Pluton, Sure (Crystal Crop Protection Limited)
■ Dithane M-45 (Corteva)
■ Dithane Neo Tec (Syngenta India Limited)
■ Momento (Sumitomo Chemical India Private Limited)
■ Macoban (Adama India Private Limited)
■ Sectin (Bayer CropScience Limited)

Future Outlook

Despite its importance in crop protection, the India Mancozeb market faces challenges such as resistance development in fungal pathogens, regulatory complexities, and environmental sustainability concerns. However, with ongoing research and development efforts aimed at developing sustainable formulations and application techniques, the future outlook for the Mancozeb market remains promising.

The India Mancozeb market is witnessing steady growth, driven by the imperative need to protect crops from fungal diseases and ensure agricultural sustainability. With key players investing in research and development to address regulatory challenges and environmental concerns, the market is poised for continued expansion. As India strives to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture, Mancozeb's role as a reliable crop protection solution is expected to become increasingly prominent, contributing to the nation's agricultural prosperity.