Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market by Type (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides & Bactericides), Formulation (Solid, Liquid), Mode of Application (Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment), Crop Type - Global Forecast to 2030
OVERVIEW
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
The synthetic crop protection chemicals market is projected to reach USD 74.38 billion by 2025 to USD 88.58 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 3.6%. The market includes chemically synthesized herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides used to control weeds, pests, and diseases across major crops. The market remains essential to modern agriculture due to its high efficacy, reliability, and cost efficiency, particularly in large-acreage crops such as cereals and oilseeds. Growth is driven by rising food demand, increasing pest pressure, and intensive farming practices, while regulatory scrutiny and sustainability concerns are encouraging more efficient use and integration with IPM and precision agriculture approaches.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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BY REGIONThe Asia Pacific synthetic crop protection chemical market is set to record the highest CAGR of 27.1%.
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BY TYPEBy type, the insecticides segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 3.9%.
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BY MODE OF APPLICATIONThe seed treatment segment is projected to register the highest CAGR.
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BY FORMULATIONBy formulation type, the liquid segment is projected to grow the fastest at 3.8% from 2025 to 2030.
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BY CROP TYPEThe cereals & grains segment is estimated to dominate the market.
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COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE - Key PlayersBASF SE, Bayer AG, FMC Corporation, and Syngenta Group were identified as some of the star players in the synthetic crop protection chemical market, given their strong market share and product footprint.
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COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE - StartupsShandong Weifang Rainbow Chemical Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Wynca Chemical Group Co., Ltd., and Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd. have distinguished themselves among startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in specialized niche areas, underscoring their potential as emerging market leaders.
The synthetic crop protection chemicals market is experiencing strong growth, driven by increasing pest and weed resistance, climate-induced disease pressure, and the need to protect yield across large-scale commercial farming systems. Continued innovation of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, along with rising adoption of precision agriculture, seed treatments, and integrated pest management practices, further supports market expansion across the region.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
A key trend in the synthetic crop protection market is the increased adoption of chemical programs focused on integration and efficiency. Farmers increasingly rely on combinations of selective herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and seed treatment solutions combined with precision application technologies to enhance product performance while satisfying regulatory and stewardship requirements. This development is mainly due to resistance management, optimized application rates, and improved compliance with environmental regulations. Therefore, manufacturers' investments are channeling their efforts into sophisticated formulations and solutions unique to the region and crop characteristics, differentiated in terms of climatic patterns.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
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Rising global food demand increases dependence on chemical crop protection
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Expansion of commercial farming boosts synthetic pesticide usage worldwide
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Stringent regulations limit availability of several synthetic active ingredients
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Growing adoption of biopesticides reduces reliance on chemical solutions
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Development of safer formulations supports continued synthetic product adoption
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Emerging markets offer volume growth for cost-effective chemical inputs
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Negative public perception impacts policy support for synthetic pesticides
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High R&D and registration costs slow new product development
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: Rising global food demand increases dependence on chemical crop protection
Heavy demand due to large-scale farming of crops to control weeds, pests, and diseases on a massive scale. Crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton need to be constantly protected with herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides to secure crop development. Factors like the need to increase the use of machinery and give utmost importance to crop output help to maintain public acceptance of crop protection on a large scale.
Restraint: Stringent regulations limit availability of several synthetic active ingredients
Ongoing re-registration reviews but also increasingly stricter residue limits coupled with advancing and developing environmental risk assessments, which can entail compliance costs as well as label restrictions or withdrawal of some chemistries. The above constraints further limit the available options for growers and would slow the introduction of new active ingredients throughout the US and Canada.
Opportunity: Development of safer formulations supports continued synthetic product adoption
The increasing acceptance of biological products and seed treatment solutions presents significant opportunities for the crop protection chemicals market, serving as complementary enhancements to traditional chemical portfolios. The production of biologicals and seed-applied chemistries facilitates early intervention in pest and disease management, minimizes the need for repeated foliar applications, and fosters diverse resistance management strategies. By integrating these solutions, manufacturers are positioned to deliver comprehensive and sustainable crop protection offerings that align with regulatory standards and the evolving preferences of growers.
Challenge: Negative public perception impacts policy support for synthetic pesticides
Increasing resistance among weeds and pests, making traditional products and modes of action less effective, is one of the biggest challenges faced by the crop protection chemicals industry in the market. The over-reliance on the same modes of action has caused the weeds and insects to become resistant, thus increasing the costs involved in their control.
SYNTHETIC CROP PROTECTION CHEMICALS MARKET: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
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Integrated herbicide and fungicide programs designed for large-scale soybean and corn cultivation | Improved control of complex weed and disease pressures, leading to higher yield stability and more consistent field performance |
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Broad-spectrum fungicides and insecticides applied across cereals, fruits, and vegetables | Enhanced crop quality, reduced yield losses from pests and diseases, and better compliance with market and residue standards |
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Advanced seed treatment and foliar protection solutions for row and specialty crops | Strong early-season pest and disease protection, uniform crop establishment, and improved overall plant vigor |
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Targeted herbicide programs addressing resistant weed populations in major row crops | Effective resistance management, improved weed control efficiency, and sustained farm productivity over multiple seasons |
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET ECOSYSTEM
Some of the prominent companies in this market include well-established and financially sound manufacturers of crop protection chemical products. These companies have been operational in the market for over a decade and have diversified portfolios, latest technologies, and excellent global sales and marketing networks. The synthetic crop protection chemical ecosystem comprises manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and end users. Key manufacturers like Corteva Agriscience, UPL Limited, Certis Biologicals, and BASF have a strong presence.
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET SEGMENTS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market, by Type
The synthetic crop protection chemicals market constitutes four major segments: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides & bactericides, and others. The herbicides hold the largest share of the market, supported by prevalent cultivation of row crops and the need for control of resistant weed species across corn, soybean, and wheat acreage. Insecticides find a great extent of use in controlling increasing insect pressure arising from climate variability and intensive agricultural practices. Fungicides and bactericides are critical in preventing crop losses due to diseases, particularly in cereals, fruits, and vegetables. Current trends, including an emphasis on resistance management, sophisticated formulation technologies, and subsequent integration with biological solutions, are, therefore, continuing to mold demand across all product types.
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market, by Mode of Application
The synthetic crop protection chemicals market is segmented by the mode of application into seed treatment, soil treatment, and foliar application. Foliar application dominates the market because of its flexibility and efficiency to manage in-season weed, pest, and disease outbreaks across row and specialty crops. Seed treatment is gaining popularity because of its early-stage protection, increase in crop establishment, and reduction in the need for multiple foliar sprays. Soil treatment is used to manage soil-borne pests, diseases, and nematodes, especially in high-value crops. Furthermore, advancements in formulation technology and precision application tools are enhancing the efficacy of and adoption for all application modes on a continuous basis.
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market, by Formulation
The synthetic crop protection chemicals market segment has been broadly categorized into liquid formulations and solid formulations. Liquid formulations backed up their larger proportion of ease of handling, uniform coverage, and compatibility with modern spraying equipment and precision application systems. These formulations are well-suited for foliar and soil applications among both row and specialty crops. On the other hand, solid formulations in the form of powders and granules would be preferred for seed treatments and certain particular applications in the soil where controlled release and stabilization were needed. Continuous advancements in formulation stability, dispersion, and safety put forward demand for both types.
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market, by Crop Type
Cereals and grains, oilseeds and pulses, fruits and vegetables are the categories found in the synthetic crop protection chemicals market. There is a high share for cereals and grains because a large area is being planted in corn, wheat, and barley, which in turn causes a high demand for herbicides and fungicides. Oilseeds and pulses, especially soybean and canola, benefit from integrated weed and pest management programs to safeguard the yield. Fruits and vegetables were the most lucrative category because they are usually associated with high insecticidal and fungicidal applications to meet quality and residue standards.
REGION
Asia Pacific to be the fastest-growing country in the synthetic crop protection chemicals market during the forecast period
Asia Pacific is a rapidly growing region in the synthetic crop protection chemicals market due to its high agricultural base, cropping intensity, and increased demand for food. The major contributors to growth are countries such as China and India, by increasing the adoption of modern agrochemicals and more governmental support for yield improvement under effective pest and weed management. Commercial farm expansion with intensifying pest pressure and gradual advances in the uptake of precision application technologies would further boost the market's growth trend throughout the region.
SYNTHETIC CROP PROTECTION CHEMICALS MARKET: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
Corteva is recognized as a star player within the industry. Organizations categorized as "stars" typically exhibit strong brand equity, a wide-ranging and diversified product portfolio, and significant market influence. Emerging leaders, such as Nufarm Limited, are experiencing rapid growth through the introduction of innovative and environmentally friendly rodenticides, as well as comprehensive pest management solutions. Established market participants maintain steady operational practices, while other contributors possess a moderate level of market presence.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- Bayer AG (Germany)
- BASF SE (Germany)
- Corteva Agriscience (US)
- Syngenta Group (Switzerland)
- FMC Corporation (US)
- UPL Limited (India)
- ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. (Israel)
- Nufarm Limited (Australia)
- Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan)
- China National Chemical Corporation (China)
- Jiangsu Yangnong Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)
- Shandong Weifang Rainbow Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)
- Zhejiang Wynca Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (China)
- Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd. (China)
- Hailir Pesticides & Chemicals Group Co., Ltd. (China)
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size, 2024 (Value) | USD 71.59 Billion |
| Market Forecast, 2030 (Value) | USD 88.58 Billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 3.6% during 2025 to 2030 |
| Years Considered | 2020–2030 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025–2030 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD Million/Billion) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Region Covered | North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Rest of the World (RoW) |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: SYNTHETIC CROP PROTECTION CHEMICALS MARKET REPORT CONTENT GUIDE
DELIVERED CUSTOMIZATIONS
We have successfully delivered the following deep-dive customizations:
| CLIENT REQUEST | CUSTOMIZATION DELIVERED | VALUE ADDS |
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| Global Crop Protection Manufacturer |
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| Investor/Private Equity Firm |
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| Global Agribusiness/AdTech Firm |
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| Regional Distributor/Formulator |
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- September 2025: Corteva Agriscience unveiled Zorvec Entecta, a new synthetic fungicide for effective control of downy mildew in grapes and late blight in potatoes, thus strengthening its portfolio of fungicides for certain key horticultural crops.
- November 2025: Corteva Agriculture company was expected to launch Pixxaro herbicide to expand its herbicide range targeting broadleaf weeds in cereal crops.
- December 2025: Bayer AG launched Sivanto Energy to strengthen its hold over the market for foliar insecticides, combining two active ingredients to provide both rapid and extended efficacy against flea beetles in canola.
- October 2025: A new synthetic herbicide active ingredient was introduced to the Syngenta Group for the next generation of crop protection chemistries designed for improved weed resistance management.
Table of Contents
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Methodology
The study involved four major activities in estimating the current size of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, peer, and parent markets. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources—directories and databases such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Factiva—to identify and collect information useful for a technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market.
In the secondary research process, various sources such as annual reports, press releases & investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, articles from recognized authors, gold & silver standard websites, directories, and databases were referred to identify and collect information. This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources—directories and databases such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Factiva—to identify and collect information useful for a technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market.
Secondary research was mainly used to obtain key information about the industry’s supply chain, the total pool of key players, and market classification and segmentation as per the industry trends to the bottom-most level, regional markets, and key developments from both market- and technology-oriented perspectives.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information regarding the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market scenario through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as Chief X Officers (CXOs), Vice Presidents (VPs), Directors from business development, marketing, research, and development teams, and related key executives from distributors and key opinion leaders. Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to mode of application, crop type, type, form, origin, and region.
Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market Size Estimation
Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the total size of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market. These approaches were also used extensively to estimate the size of various dependent submarkets. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following:
- Key players were identified through extensive secondary research.
- Primary and secondary research determined the industry’s value chain and market size.
- All percentage share splits and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
- All the possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data.
- The following figure provides an illustrative representation of the complete market size estimation process implemented in this research study for an overall estimation of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market in a consolidated format.
The following sections (bottom-up & top-down) depict the overall market size estimation process employed for the purpose of this study.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size from the estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. Data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed, wherever applicable, to estimate the overall Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from the demand and supply sides. The market size was also validated using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
According to FAO, a crop protection chemical means a pesticide product intended to prevent, destroy, or control any pest causing harm during or otherwise interfering with the production, processing, storage, transport /or marketing of food, agricultural commodities, and wood and wood products.
Crop protection chemicals are used to protect crops from diseases, pests, and unwanted weeds & grasses, ultimately resulting in better yield. These chemicals include fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, and other such chemicals that can either be synthetically or naturally produced. Crop protection chemicals are preferred over seed treatment chemicals and genetically modified (GM) crops because of their high effectiveness and easy application. Crop protection chemicals can be used in liquid or solid form and are widely applied to cereals & oilseeds and fruits & vegetables. They are mainly applied through seed treatment, soil treatment, and foliar spray.
Key Stakeholders
- Crop protection chemical manufacturers
- Crop protection chemical importers and exporters
- Crop protection chemical traders, distributors and suppliers
- Pesticides manufacturers
- Research institutes and organizations
- Government bodies, venture capitalists, and private equity firms
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Regulatory Bodies
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- European Crop Protection Agency (ECPA)
- Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association (PMFAI)
- China Crop Protection Industry Association (CCPIA)
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
- US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety
- European Food Safety Authority
- Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Department Of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
- Directorate Of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage
- Commercial Research & Development (R&D) Institutions and Financial Institutions
Report Objectives
Market Intelligence
- To determine and project the size of the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market with respect to the mode of application, type, form, origin, crop type, and region, over five years, ranging from 2024 to 2029.
- To identify the attractive opportunities in the market by determining the largest and fastest-growing segments across the key regions
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To analyze the demand-side factors based on the following:
- Impact of macro-and micro-economic factors on the market
- Shifts in demand patterns across different subsegments and regions.
Competitive Intelligence
- Identifying and profiling the key players in the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market
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Providing a comparative analysis of market leaders based on the following:
- Product offerings
- Business strategies
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Key financials
- Understanding the competitive landscape and identifying the major growth strategies players across the country adopt.
- Providing insights on key product innovations and investments in the Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market.
Available Customizations:
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to company-specific scientific needs.
The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product Matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company.
Geographic Analysis
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to company-specific scientific needs.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Europe into Belgium, Luxemburg, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, and Sweden.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Asia Pacific into New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Oceania (tropical Pacific islands), and South Korea.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of South America into Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.
Company Information
- Detailed analyses and profiling of additional market players (up to five)
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Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Synthetic Crop Protection Chemicals Market