Biocontrol Agents Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Type (Microbials, Predators, Parasitoids, Biochemicals and Other Types), Crop Type, Formulation, Mode of Action, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Biocontrol Agents Market is accounted for $6.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $16.9 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 18.4% during the forecast period. Biocontrol agents are living organisms used to manage pest populations, diseases, or weeds in agriculture, forestry, and natural ecosystems. They include predators, parasitoids, pathogens, and competitors, which naturally regulate harmful species. Biocontrol agents are often used as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, reducing ecological harm and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Predators consume multiple pests, parasitoids lay eggs inside or on pests, pathogens infect and cause diseases in pests, and competitors limit pest growth.

According to a survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association in 2021, sales of organic fruits and vegetables increased by around 4.5% in the same year, accounting for 15% of the overall organic sales.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rising demand for organic and sustainable agriculture

Organic farming, which uses natural pest control solutions, has seen a significant increase in adoption due to the alignment with organic certification standards. This has led to increased investments in research and development to create innovative, cost-effective, and scalable biocontrol solutions. Companies are expanding production facilities and marketing efforts to cater to this growing market, with startups and established players entering the market with specialized products like microbial biopesticides and macrobial predators, further driving industry expansion.

Restraint:

Limited shelf life and storage challenges

Biocontrol agents' perishability limits their availability, particularly in remote or developing regions with underdeveloped cold chain infrastructure. Without proper storage conditions, their viability decreases rapidly, leading to poor performance or failure in the field. Additionally, specialized storage and distribution systems, such as refrigerated vehicles and warehouses, increase costs, making biocontrol agents less competitive compared to synthetic alternatives. This price sensitivity discourages farmers from adopting eco-friendly solutions, especially in cost-conscious markets.

Opportunity:

Innovations in microbial technology and genomics

Genomic studies have improved the effectiveness of biocontrol agents by understanding their interactions with pests, plants, and the environment. This has led to the development of genetically enhanced microbial biopesticides and pathogenic fungi that target specific pest species and insect pests under a wider range of environmental conditions. These developments have increased farmer confidence and market demand. Additionally, genomics innovations have enabled the development of multi-target biocontrol agents that can manage a wider array of pests and diseases. This versatility appeals to farmers seeking comprehensive solutions, expanding the market's reach.

Threat:

Lack of awareness in developing regions

Farmers in developing regions often rely on conventional chemical pesticides, leading to low adoption rates due to their unfamiliarity with biocontrol agents and skepticism about their efficacy. Lack of training and education on proper handling, application, and integration of biocontrol agents into pest management practices further discourages adoption. Without technical guidance, farmers may misuse these products or fail to see their advantages, further discouraging adoption. Therefore, addressing these issues is crucial for promoting sustainable pest management practices.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the biocontrol agents market. Disruptions in supply chains and labor shortages initially hindered production, distribution, and field application. However, the crisis also highlighted the importance of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, driving interest in eco-friendly pest management solutions like biocontrol agents. Increased consumer demand for organic and residue-free food further boosted adoption. Additionally, government support for sustainable farming post-pandemic and advancements in digital agriculture helped the market recover and grow in the long term.

The microbials segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

Over the estimation period, the microbials segment is expected to capture the largest market share owing to concerns over environmental impact, such as soil degradation and pesticide resistance, are driving a shift towards sustainable alternatives. Microbial biocontrol agents, like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), are naturally occurring organisms that target specific pests without harming other organisms. Their safety profiles and minimal environmental impact have led many farmers to reconsider their use of traditional pesticides, highlighting the need for safer, natural pest management options.

The biological-based segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The biological-based segment is expected to hold highest CAGR growth during the estimation period due to the growing global demand for organic products has driven the growth of these products, as organic farming systems rely on sustainable, non-toxic methods to control pests and diseases. Microbial agents like bacillus subtilis and Beauveria bassiana are commonly used to control pests in organic crops. The rise in organic agriculture has led to increased investments in developing new biological-based solutions, expanding the biocontrol agents market.

Region with largest share:

North America is anticipated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period because pest and disease management is crucial for crop health and yield, the demand for biocontrol agents is high. Increasingly, North American farmers are adopting microbial biocontrol agents like Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, and Trichoderma species to target crop pests and soil-borne diseases, driving market growth in the region. This growing awareness and adoption of biocontrol agents are crucial for maintaining crop health and yield.

Region with highest CAGR:

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the highest CAGR over the forecast period owing to promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting biocontrol agents as part of their agricultural policies. Indian and Chinese governments are providing subsidies and incentives to farmers adopting biocontrol and organic farming methods. These initiatives are aimed at reducing chemical pesticide use and addressing food safety concerns. The biocontrol agents market in the region is experiencing a significant boost due to these regulatory initiatives.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Biocontrol Agents market include BASF SE, Bayer CropScience AG, Syngenta AG, Koppert Biological Systems, FMC Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Valent BioSciences, Novozymes A/S, Lallemand Inc., GreenTech Agro, InVivo Group, Marrone, Bio Innovations, Kemin Industries, LemnaTec GmbH and The Dow Chemical Company .

Key Developments:

In December 2024, Dow and Innventureopens in a new tab a technology commercialization platform, announced plans to collaborate to develop and commercialize new waste-to-value technologies. The collaboration aims to enable globally scalable, cost-effective conversion of mixed wastes to petrochemical feedstocks.

In November 2024, BASF announced that it will invest in additional production capacity for its X3D(R) technology, a new additive manufacturing technology for catalysts based on 3D printing. The plant will produce catalysts on an industrial scale and is expected to be operational in 2026.

In October 2024, BASF and the Fraunhofer institute for photonic microsystems IPMS are proud to look back on ten successful years of cooperation. Together, they have been working on innovative and customized solutions in the field of semiconductor production and chip integration as part of their "BASF Plating-Lab".

Types Covered:

• Microbials
• Predators
• Parasitoids
• Biochemicals
• Other Types

Crop Types Covered:

• Fruits & Vegetables
• Cereals & Grains
• Oilseeds & Pulses
• Herbs & Spices

Formulations Covered:

• Liquid
• Solid
• Gel

Mode of Actions Covered:

• Chemical-Based
• Biological-Based

Applications Covered:

• Agriculture
• Horticulture
• Forestry
• Public Health
• Aquaculture
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances