PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1587089
PUBLISHER: Market Xcel - Markets and Data | PRODUCT CODE: 1587089
Global soil fumigants market is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.05% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 2.46 billion in 2023 to USD 3.65 billion in 2031. High agricultural productivity is in demand, due to which soil-borne pests, pathogens, and weeds require control, thus creating market growth opportunities for soil fumigants. In July 2024, in a press release, UNESCO warned the world that by 2050, 90% of the planet's land area may have degraded, posing severe threats to human life and biodiversity. Seventy-five percent of soil has already degraded, directly affecting 3.2 billion people, according to the World Atlas of Desertification. And by 2050, assuming present trends continue, this percentage will increase to 90%.
Soil fumigants are integral to achieving more productive crop yields and ensuring food security, especially in developing regions where intensive farming practices are followed. Farmers around the globe are therefore engaged in maximizing productivity on limited arable land, and hence, soil fumigants have become more popular.
Advancements in technology in the form of fumigation techniques and more efficient product development are driving market expansion. More environment-friendly alternatives are increasingly being demanded. The market's future is driven by environmentally friendly trends, which require a heavy investment in a company's research and development phase to meet the regulatory requirements while assuring effective pest control.
The market is geographically diversified, with strong demand in regions that rely on high-value crops and advanced agricultural systems. While traditional markets are currently the most important, emerging economies are increasingly becoming significant since they continue to modernize their agriculture sectors. However, there are major challenges in terms of rigid regulatory regimes and the environmental impact of fumigants. The business focuses on innovation and developing safer, more ecologically friendly fumigants that meet agricultural needs and ecological requirements. Overall, the market for global soil fumigants evolves in the balance between productivity needs and sustainability goals.
Government Policies to Catalyze Market Expansion
Government policies are critically adding to the hastening growth of the global soil fumigants market. Regulation policies focus on sustainability in agriculture and effective control of pests, driving demand for safe and environmentally friendly fumigating solutions. Incentives and subsidies to embrace high-tech agricultural practices further facilitate the expanding soil fumigants market, especially in developing nations.
Governments worldwide are promoting the production of eco-friendly products that cause negligible destruction in the ecosystem. Improvement in food safety and crop protection are included in the national policies of agriculture; therefore, the market is expected to continue to grow. By changing the regulatory regime and offering incentives, national government policies are stimulating innovation and further increasing the adoption of more soil fumigation technologies.
In March 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations held a webinar to emphasize enhancing soil governance. The webinar was part of a series of seminars on soil governance aimed at analyzing various legislative strategies for sustainable soil management. It also discussed the significance of multidisciplinary legislative development grounded in the best available scientific knowledge and evidence, using the development of the novel Chinese legislation on Black Soil protection.
Rising Plastic Pollution Influences Market Growth
As per a press release by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2022, the amount of plastic garbage produced worldwide has doubled in the previous 20 years. Of this waste, 9 percent is effectively recycled, and the remainder is burned, dumped in landfills, or seeps into the environment. The amount of plastic garbage produced annually per person varies from 221 kg in the United States and 114 kg in OECD countries in Europe to an average of 69 kg in Japan and Korea.
Indirectly, increased plastic pollution could increase the demand for soil fumigants by exacerbating soil health issues. Microplastics in agricultural soils alter the structure of the soil and affect the availability of nutrients, which often slows down plant growth and increases susceptibility to pests and pathogens. Therefore, increased plastic pollution deteriorating soil quality could increase demands for soil treatments, such as fumigants, to counteract such adverse effects and ensure crop yields.
Besides, plastic pollution might accelerate the movement of some pests, hence growing the demand for pest control products. Though indirect, the emerging presence of plastic in agricultural soils will force farmers to ask for more intense soil management strategies, including fumigants, to maintain the fertility and productivity of the soil.
Shank Injection Application Method to Hold a Significant Market Share
A significant share of the market for soil fumigants is held by shank injection. This technique involves injecting the fumigant into the soil via specialized equipment, allowing for uniform distribution throughout the specific depth. It is particularly preferred because it can reach various pathogens and pests in addition to weed seeds in the soil, making the product suitable for large-scale agricultural ventures. The shank injection is widely used for highly valued crops, such as fruits and vegetables, and tobacco, where soil health and pest control are key to increasing yields and quality.
One advantage of shank injection is that it penetrates deeper soil layers where most harmful organisms are found, ensuring all-round pest management. Its use with different fumigants also makes the method versatile, as preferred by high-input farmers in intensive farm regions. Long-term benefits in crop yields and effective sterilization of the soil account for much of its current usage despite the high equipment cost. As the demand for effective and environmentally friendly fumigation services grows, shank injection is the most critical application method in the soil fumigants market.
Europe to Dominate the Market Share
Developed agricultural practices and strict pest control guidelines give Europe the largest global soil fumigants market share. In Europe, there are about 2.8 million polluted sites. The main causes of contamination are waste disposal and industrial activity. According to the European Environment Agency, agricultural soils in 60-75% of the European Union have excessive nutrient inputs. The annual cost of soil degradation in the European Union exceeds 50 billion euros. European farmers believe that fumigation is essential in ensuring healthy soils to combat soil-based pests and various diseases while achieving the highest yields, especially for controlled environment crops like those cultivated in greenhouses.
The strict regulations set by the European Union on the usage of chemicals have prompted demand for environment-friendly fumigants and spurred innovation to use sustainable alternatives. It has pressured market players to develop safer and more effective products, boosting growth in that particular market in the region.
The government's support for adopting more sustainable farming practices and pest control remains one of the key drivers of soil fumigant adoption throughout Europe. Hence, Europe is expected to remain the global leader shortly.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
A rapidly growing environmental concern will spur the development and adoption of less toxic bio-based fumigants.
Growing recognition for soil fertility and health is likely to increase the need for a dependable, effective solution in fumigation to raise crop yield.
Governments worldwide will continue to restrain the use of the more traditional fumigants; these would, in turn, push companies towards innovation and sustenance standards.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Key stakeholders in the global soil fumigants market are influencing the competitive environment through innovations and initiatives. Significant companies are putting resources into research and development for advanced solutions that are effective fumigation agents and environmentally friendly and regulatory compliant. Given the escalating demand for environmentally friendly farming practices, these players have shifted their attention toward the production of innovative pest control alternatives that would eliminate the need to use traditional fumigants.
In addition, there is an increase in regional players, especially in Asia-Pacific, where agricultural growth is a critical factor. Distribution, collaboration, and the merger of associated entities are likely to improve the scope of the market and foster creativity in developing economies.
It is anticipated that the market for soil fumigants will experience gradual growth owing to the development of new methods, an increase in soil health consciousness, and growing concerns for food security. The transition towards sustainable farming will affect the market, prompting the market players to change their product mix accordingly.
All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered
Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work.