Semiochemicals Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Pheromones and Allelochemicals), By Function (Mass Trapping, Detection & Monitoring, and Mating Disruption), By Crop Type (Field Crops, Orchard Crops, Vegetable Crops, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global semiochemicals market size was valued at USD 4.80 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 5.48 billion in 2024 to USD 17.50 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.61% during the forecast period. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited an average growth of 7.0% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

The rising demand for organic food products to lower the health related repercussion of conventional products grown with the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has increased the need for sustainable bio-pesticides such as semiochemicals. The application of bio pesticides in agriculture has swelled over the past decade due to the widespread application of integrated pest management (IPM) and crop protection. Increasing knowledge about the benefits of abandoning conventional pesticides, gentle pest control, reducing chemical residues on plants, and managing pest resistance are essential components of crop protection. Semiochemicals, therefore, has emerged as one of the critical tools in the management of various high-value vegetables, fruits, and crops.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Transport Disruptions amid COVID-19 to Significantly Impact Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the agricultural sector worldwide. Supply chain disruptions, marketing disruptions, and travel restrictions are adversely affecting the market. For example, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the production of pesticides declined sharply in the initial months of the pandemic due to nationwide lockdowns imposed in many countries. However, growing food and health concerns have led to a resurgence in demand for organic foods, fruits, and vegetables, which is anticipated to pursue after the pandemic. Growing consumer interest in eating natural food is expected to increase demand for products from farmers after the pandemic.

Semiochemicals Market Trends

Surging Popularity of Organic Farming to Fuel Market Growth

The adoption of organic farming is spreading globally as organic foods gain popularity among consumers. This has been attributed to rising knowledge about the health benefits of consuming organic food products. Growing consciousness about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides and fertilizers has largely driven the market growth of organic farming globally. As per the statistics released by the Institute of Organic Agriculture, the area cultivated under organic farming grew by 2 Mn hectares in 2017 to reach 71.5 Mn hectares in 2018. The growing area of ​​organic farming around the world has increased the demand for bio-based and environmentally friendly pest control management solutions.

Developed markets in North America and Europe are major consumers of organic and clean-label foods. Growing awareness among farmers in these regions about the sustainable approaches is driving the overall market growth.

Semiochemicals Market Growth Factors

Increasing Demand for Sustainable Crop Protection Solutions to Drive Market Growth

Agricultural sectors around the world actively use pesticides and pesticides for effective pest control and high yields. According to the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO), 4,100 thousand tons of pesticides were used worldwide in 2018. However, in recent years, rising consumer awareness of the harmful effects of chemical pesticides and pesticides on crops and resultantly on human health has forced farmers around the world to opt for better agricultural practices. This has led to increased commissioning of sustainable crop management systems and increased use of bio pesticides.

Semiochemicals are bio pesticides, ecologically and organically safe. An increase in research and development activities aimed at expanding the coverage of these pesticides is expected to boost the market growth over the semiochemicals market forecast period.

Strong Demand for High Value Crops to Boost Growth

Consumer preference has shifted to healthier and safer foods to maintain good health in recent years. Emerging trends such as the consumption of organic, clean-label, natural and pesticide-free foods have also developed the agricultural sector around the world. Increasing demand for high-value crops such as organic raw materials, organic fruits, and vegetables is driving the growth of the market across the globe. Consumers have become more conscious of the safety of the food they consume, and this has led to significant changes in pesticide use and pest control programs. Today, farmers are beginning to implement sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to lower the use of traditional pesticides that consumers perceive as unsafe. Growing consumer awareness of the benefits of quality crops is expected to drive the market growth in the coming years.

Furthermore, as vegan diets become more acceptable in developed countries, especially in Europe, so does the consumption of high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Lack of Awareness and High Cost of Active Ingredients to Hamper Market Growth

Although biological pesticides are considered safer for harvest and the environment, the absence of knowledge about the semiochemicals among farmers in developing markets in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa is driving the market growth is expected to be hindered. Moreover, high maintenance requirements coupled with high costs compared to conventional pesticides are expected to significantly restrain the growth of the global market. The high cost of these biopesticides discourages smallholder farmers from incorporating these methods into their agricultural practices. Moreover, the additional labor costs required for the application further increases its cost and hinders the growth of the market. However, increased government support for increased use by farmers is expected to help address these issues in the near future.

Semiochemicals Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Pheromones to Emerge as Most Preferred Type in the Industry

The pheromone segment holds a large share as it is the most commonly used type of crop security by farmers. Pheromones are produced by species that can alter the behavior of other species belonging to the same family. Therefore, pheromones are popular as species-specific in nature. Low toxicity and high activity in small doses are responsible for the increased application of pheromones. This segment is expected to grow at her highest CAGR as these compounds help overcome host resistance and provide attractive growth opportunities.

The allelochemicals segment is exhibiting notable growth owing to growing utilization and effectiveness to control insect pests on weeds and field crops. In field crops, allelochemicals can be utilized following plant extracts, rotation, mulching, and using cover crops for natural pest control.

By Function Analysis

Mating Disruption to Emerge as the Leading Function among Function Segment

Based on function, the market is bifurcated into detection and monitoring, mass trapping, and pair destruction. Mating disruption has emerged as a major feature as it is more effective at low to modest pest infestations. Moreover, mating disruption especially controls target species, greatly reducing the number of mating and preventing species from reproducing.

Detection and surveillance is primarily used for early spotting of insects, especially when there is an otherwise undetectable infestation. Early detection and monitoring of insects enables more effective integrated pest management programs by optimizing pesticide application periods and calculating the effectiveness of control options. Mast trapping is a highly effective feature against low to moderate pest infestations. However, at times when insects’ populations are dense, mass trapping is used in co-ordination with other control methods. According to the pheromone maker, using bulk traps allows him to reduce the number of chemical treatments by more than 70%. Therefore, the use of semiochemicals to monitor insects via bulk traps is increasing.

By Crop Type Analysis

Orchard Crops Segment Holds Major Market Share Backed by High Demand for High Value Crops

Due to the increasing consumer demand for high quality crops, semiochemicals are mainly applied in orchards as compared to other crops such as vegetables and crops. Orchards are also susceptible to pests such as codling moths, fruit flies, and peach borers.

They also have become one of the key tools in integrated pest management (IPM) of various vegetable crops. This is because the mechanism of action of semiochemicals on target pests is indirect, affecting pest behavior by attracting or deterring them, thereby preventing damage.

The increasing popularity of bio pesticides in crops such as rice, wheat, soybean, and sorghum has increased the demand for bio pesticides among crop farmers. Emerging trends towards the consumption of organic and clean-label foods are expected to encourage the organic use of pesticides on these crops.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The North America market size stood at USD 1.5 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to lead the market during the forecast period due to the increasing implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions for crop protection across the region. The growing awareness regarding sustainable cultivation among farmers in the U.S. and Canada has significantly contributed to market growth in the region. The rising government interventions to increase the utilization of sustainable pesticides are anticipated to drive market growth in the coming years.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, Europe has the second-largest area under organic agriculture. Europe holds the second-highest semiochemicals market share in terms of value. The strong demand for organic commodities in countries, including the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany has necessitated farmers to implement biological crop protection methods in pest management programs. Recent innovations, such as remote sensing and spatial imaging, in the region, help farmers to tackle their pest issues and will further drive market growth.

The growth of the market in the Asia Pacific is primarily attributed to the growing awareness regarding crop protection and methods to increase crop yield among farmers. The growing agricultural area that is under organic farming is expected to further fuel the demand in the region. Numerous policies for improving the agriculture sector are underway in the Asia Pacific region at the national and global levels, aiming to increase agricultural yield and enhance working conditions. In ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Master Plan on Rural Development, Agriculture and Forestry and the ASEAN Guidelines for Responsible Investment in Food are the major policies working towards it. Such policies will enable farmers to access innovative chemicals, such as semiochemicals, adapt them to agricultural practices, and increase yield. Moreover, in Asia Pacific, nearly 32% of the total employed workforce is in the agriculture industry, and many are small farmholders. However, there is a lucrative growth prospective for agricultural development and enhanced working conditions with the adoption of new technologies.

The market in South America is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR in the coming years. This can be attributed to the increasing commercial cultivation of commodity crops. The rising knowledge regarding biological pesticides and agricultural sustainability is predicted to significantly drive the growth of the market in the region.

List of Key Companies in Semiochemicals Market

Corteva Agriscience to Focus on Strategic Collaborations to Fortify its Market Presence

Corteva Agriscience is actively focused on collaborations with already established players to strengthen its presence in the market. For instance, in May 2020, the company announced its agreement with M2i, a leader in biological crop protection to bring M2i’s semiochemicals portfolio to the market.

The market exhibits a consolidated structure, dominated by a few multinational companies. Leading players, such as Shin-Etsu, Pacific Biocontrol Corp, and Bedoukian Research, focus on new product developments (product launches), acquisitions, and partnerships to further consolidate the market. The arrival of small and niche players in the biological pesticide market will also contribute to escalating competition within the market, which will have a positive effect on its growth.   

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• SEDQ Healthy Crops SL (Spain)


• Pacific Biocontrol Corporation (U.S.)


• Bedoukian Research, Inc. (U.S.)


• Suterra LLC (U.S.)


• Pherobank B.V. (Netherlands)


• CBC Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• Certis USA LLC (U.S.)


• Koppert (Netherlands)


• Isagro S.p.A. (Denmark)


• Russell IPM (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• October 2020 – Trécé Inc announced the launch of its new mating disruption product, CIDETRAK IMM MEC. The product is specifically designed to control the five most destructive moth pests that destroy agricultural food commodities.


• October 2020 – Suterra LLC announced the launch of a new Puffer pheromone pest control range to reduce the crop damage due to Navel Orangeworm, Codling Moth, and Oriental Fruit moth. This launch will help the company to boost its position in this market.


• April 2020 - Provivi entered into a collaboration with CABI, in registering a new biocontrol product, Pherogen SPOFR dispenser in Kenya. The product launch was primarily aimed to control the attack of fall armyworm


• March 2020 - Advanced Research (JNCASR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India developed a powdered formula of semiochemicals that can make the pheromone-based pest control method cheaper.


• October 2018 - Koppert Biological Systems acquired the biological crop activities of Horticoop B.V., which aids in expanding the consumer base. By this acquisition, the company aims to serve its consumers better with effective crop protection solutions.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, type, and crop types. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation: