Biostimulants Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Active Ingredients (Acid Based, Microbial), By Crop Type, By Application (Foliar, Soil Treatment), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global biostimulants market size was valued at USD 2.6 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2023 to 2030. This is attributed to rising in demand for the product from various end-use applications such as seed, soil, and foliar treatment. Biostimulants are fertilizers that are created organically and are used to nourish agricultural products as well as to promote plant growth and production. From the germination of the seed to the maturity of the plant, the product promotes plant growth and development. By encouraging the growth of interdependent soil microbes, these fertilizers also aid in nutrient transfer, assimilation, and usage while improving soil fertility.

The product helps in improving the microflora, which, in turn, improves the efficiency of nutrient uptake by the plant. They increase antioxidant activity and reduce plant stress against the environment and various diseases. The hormones stimulate growth coupled with root development and cell enlargement, therefore, promoting the vigor and overall health of the plant. Biostimulants comprise natural and environment-friendly degradable materials, which do not affect the surroundings of the plant. Therefore, they are witnessing high demand for organic farming practices.

Organic foods contain the necessary nutrients and do not possess unnecessary toxins that are harmful to human health. Organic vegetables and fruits have witnessed a significant rise in demand in the past couple of years owing to their nutritional value, less usage of pesticides, and high sustainability. Organic farming is expected to witness augmented growth over the forecast period owing to its rising adoption in developing economies which in turn is projected to supplement the demand for the product in the coming years.

Active Ingredients Insights

The acid-based segment dominated the biostimulants market with a revenue share of over 48.0% in 2022. This is attributable to the growing utilization of amino acids which are a major source of phytohormones that help to activate plant metabolic systems and promote seed generation. Humic chemicals are end products of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, as well as the chemical decomposition of animal and plant wastes in soils.

In soil, humic substances play a key role in carbon and oxygen exchange between the soil and the atmosphere, thus maintaining nutrient availability in the soil, enhancing the productivity of the plant, and decreasing the toxicity of chemicals and heavy metals used in the cultivation. In addition, humic substances increase the pH buffering, water-holding capacity, and the availability of nutrients such as iron, phosphorous, and zinc. As a consequence of the benefits of humic acid, the interest in the application of humic substances for use in agricultural systems is witnessing an increase.

Seaweed extracts are utilized as biostimulants due to the presence of plant growth chemicals such as auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins carbohydrates, and various other nutritive metal elements such as aluminum, potassium, iron, nitrogen, and potassium. Widely used seaweed extracts are green, red, and brown algae. Sargassum, Laminaria, Fucus, Turbinaria, and Ascophyllum nodosum are brown seaweed extract, which results in higher yield, fruit quality, fruit set, faster seed germination flower, and greater nutrient uptake.

Seaweeds are used as a soil amendment to stimulate soil fertility and crop productivity. These extracts also act as chelating agents, improve the uptake of mineral nutrients by plants, and improve soil structure and aeration, which enhance the growth of the root. They also enhance seed germination and provide resistance to stress caused by non-living organisms such as harmful insects and fungi, thus increasing the yield.

Microbial biostimulants include Rhizobacteria, Rhizobium, Mycorrhizal, and Non-mycorrhizal fungi. Microbial biostimulants or biofertilizers are products containing living microorganisms. When applied to soil, plants, and seeds, they stimulate the fertility of the soil by increasing plant root area, nutrient uptake capacity, and nutrient supply. The use of phosphorous fertilizer is an environmental concern as the excess buildup of phosphorus can saturate soils and pollute water bodies.

Crop Type Insights

Row crops & cereals dominated the market with a revenue share of over 61.0% in 2022. This is attributable to the rise in demand for cotton, oats, barley, millets, and soybeans which are referred to as row crops or commodity crops. These crops are cultivated in wide areas that are expected to deliver potential growth for the market globally. The product increases the rate of seed size, cell division, and row crop yields such as corn, barley, and soybean. They contain polyamines, Indole-3-acetic acid, and amino acids, which result in overcoming the barriers of cell expansion and cell divisions.

The product is required for root development, fruiting, and stem formation in vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, melons, squash, and cucumbers. Potatoes are the largest consumed vegetable in the U.S. and Canada. Carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, onions, apple, blueberries, grapes, and cranberries are among the major fruits & vegetables produced in Canada.

The turf and ornamental segment held the second largest place in the crop type segment in 2022. This is because biostimulants are used to provide pest resistance, boost nutrient uptake, and enhance root production, color, and the quality of turfgrass. Seaweed extracts and humic acid are commonly used types of products for sports turf. Seaweed extracts contain auxins and cytokinin, which when applied on turf help in root and shoot development.

Application Insights

The foliar treatment application dominated the market with a revenue share of over 79% in 2022. This is attributable to surging usage in plant foliar treatment, as the product is broadly applied to the leaves to make the absorption of nutrients easier. Biostimulants for plant foliar treatment are typically sold in liquid form to make application easier. Glycine betaine, IPA, and chelated nutrients are the most active ingredients used in foliar applications. Foliar treatment holds the largest market share in the global market on account of its vast benefits. The treatment results in quicker absorption of nutrients through leaves increasing cellular activity and enhancing nutrient uptake.

The soil treatment segment contributes to a significant market revenue share. Soil treatment includes four major techniques, namely physical treatment, mechanical treatment, chemical treatment, and biological treatment. In the physical treatment technique, a Maximum Dry Density of 98% is attained through the utilization of Optimum Moisture Content. In the mechanical treatment, the gradation limits of the soil are improved by converting the coarse-grained soil to the fine-grained form. In the chemical treatment procedure, a customized chemical blend is incorporated into the soil to attain the optimum strength. The biological treatment technique utilizes the product to enhance the nutritional content of the soil and seal fine cracks.

Seed dressing, seed pelleting, and seed coating are among the major seed treatment application techniques of the product along with the most cost-effective as compared to the conventional spraying technique. The treatment is performance efficient as well as lesser labor intensive thus, aids in reducing the overall input costs. Therefore, seed treatment is likely to be the fastest-growing application of the product over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Europe dominated the market with a revenue share of over 37.0% in 2022. This is attributed to the supportive regulations to increase the production of organic food which is expected to drive the market in the region. Germany is one of the major producers of protein crops such as field beans and field peas. It is also the largest producer of rapeseed in Europe. The production of rapeseed is driven by various applications including biofuel, food, and other industrial uses. The demand for rapeseed is more than the domestic supply in Germany, which requires better fertilizers such as biostimulants to improve crop yield.

Asia Pacific region falls in second place owing to some of the largest agrarian countries of the world, including Thailand, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and others. These countries are highly diverse in terms of their income levels, spending capacities, and food consumption habits. The agricultural sector in the region is witnessing growth and the population is mainly dependent on the farming sector, posing lucrative growth opportunities for the product.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, China accounts for a share of one-fourth of the grains produced in the world with less than 10% of the global arable land. The rising incomes and rapid urbanization in China have led to changes in consumer lifestyles, which in turn have promoted the shifts in food consumption trends in the country thus, driving the demand for organic as well as sustainable farming techniques, which significantly contribute to the product demand.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The competitive scenario of the market involves consolidation, competitive advantage, and market penetration by various players. The biostimulants industry is comparatively newer than other agrochemical industries. It is an emerging industry that is indulged in developing a wide array of innovative products to cater to agronomic market needs arising from sustainable activities. Some of the prominent players in the global biostimulants market include:

• Isagro Group

• BASF SE

• Biolchim S.P.A.

• Sapec Agro S.A.

• Platform Specialty Products Corporation

• Novozymes A/S

• Valagro SpA

• Italpollina SAP

• Koppert B.V.

• Biostadt India Limited

Biostimulants Market Report Scope

Global Biostimulants Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global biostimulants market report based on active ingredients, crop type, application, and region:

• Active Ingredient Outlook (Volume, Million Hectare; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Acid Based

  • Seaweed Extract

  • Microbial

  • Others

• Crop Type Outlook (Volume, Million Hectare; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Row Crops & Cereals

  • Fruits & Vegetables

  • Turf & Ornamentals

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Million Hectare; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Foliar Treatment

  • Soil Treatment

  • Seed Treatment

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Hectare; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa