Agricultural Pheromones Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Sex Pheromones, Aggregation Pheromones, and Others), By Function (Mating Disruption, Detection & Monitoring, and Mass Trapping), By Application (Dispensers, Traps, and Spray Method), By Crop Type (Field Crops, Orchard Crops, Vegetables, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2022 – 2029

The global agricultural pheromones market size was valued at USD 3.18 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow from USD 3.66 billion in 2022 to USD 10.78 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.67% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with agricultural pheromones experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of 7.13% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Pheromones are the chemicals secreted by insects and animals that are used to attract mates, signal threats, or find food. The application of such chemical pheromones, also known as semiochemicals, as an essential component for insect monitoring and pest control in agriculture has proven effective. These agricultural pheromones are synthetic copies of natural pheromones that help in the aggregation or attraction of insects. They are used for various purposes such as mating disruption, luring, mass-trapping, and others by adopting multiple strategies. Therefore, the increasing use of sustainable and effective crop protection chemicals is anticipated to surge the demand in the coming years.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Decline in Market Growth due to Transportation Delays amid COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy and the agricultural and food sectors. In spite of the moderate impact of COVID-19 on various agricultural commodities, certain factors such as travel restrictions, disruptions in the supply chain, and interruptions in marketing due to the lockdown announced by the government to contain the spread of the virus have led to a negative impact on the market performance.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) of the United Nations, pesticide production has sharply declined. Due to low availability and high price inputs such as pesticides could weigh on crop production and yield. Workforce scarcity is another challenge faced by the industry players as the manufacturing plants were temporarily closed down, and self-isolation or travel restrictions were imposed on people. However, numerous agricultural organizations are trying to mitigate the loss due to the pandemic to improve the agricultural sector's supply chain, business opportunities, and smooth functioning. For instance, the Indian government promotes Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) schemes to address the market disruptions amid COVID-19. Such initiatives taken by the government or agricultural organizations can help improve the market situation in the coming years.

Capitalization on other important strategies such as digitalization, improvement of the logistic management system, collaboration with local pest control device manufacturers, and launching programs to educate farmers about the different pheromones products and their efficient application methods will escalate the market performance of semiochemical products amid the pandemic.

LATEST TRENDS

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Technological Advancement Trends to Contribute to Market Growth

The growing demand for agricultural products has necessitated the utilization and adoption of advanced technologies in agrarian pheromones to improve profit and yield. For instance, a combination of behavioral manipulation of pheromones and a suitable pheromone dispenser helps achieve high performance. According to a research paper issued in the Journal of Applied Entomology, 2011, adopting sealed polyethylene vials and the Specialized Pheromone & Lure Application Technology (SPLAT) disrupts communication millet stem borer. Hence, capitalizing on adopting agricultural pheromones combined with other control methods to eradicate pests successfully contributes to market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Adoption of Integrated Pest Management Practices to Bolster Market Growth

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices focus on the long-term prevention of pests combined with cultural and biological controls, habitat manipulation, use of resistant varieties, and others. IPM, in combination with agricultural pheromones, allows protection from pests and poses the least risks. This ensures maximizing the profits and reduction in costs. The most effective approach is mass trapping the pests and killing them selectively, without any risk to human health or the environment.

Numerous farmers use pheromone traps such as tube traps and board traps to efficiently trap moths and fruit flies and prevent them from damaging fruit and vegetable crops. Along with this, various countries' governments promote pheromones to reduce the impact of toxic chemicals. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India, is promoting IPM among farmers by training them and organizing several Human Resource Development (HRD) programs, which is expected to augment the global market growth.

Increasing Awareness Regarding Detrimental Effects of Synthetic Pesticides to Drive Market Growth

The existing agricultural system intensively utilizes insecticides to ensure the elimination of pests and high productivity. However, these xenobiotics have a negative impact on the environment, beneficial natural predators, parasites, and human health. Hence, rising awareness about the detrimental effects of pesticides has led to the adoption of alternative crop protection techniques.

Many horticulture farmers adopt sex pheromones and attractants to reduce crop-damaging pests and insects effectively. The extensive research and development in the industry to improve these products' efficiency further helps boost market growth. For instance, the Earlham Institute, England, identifies and validates biosynthetic enzymes to produce pheromones of the Coccoidea insect superfamily.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Maintenance and Production Costs to Restrain Market Growth

The high maintenance cost of numerous insect pheromones compared to conventional insecticides and pesticides pose a major restraint to the market growth. The high cost of the product makes it an uneconomical large-scale crop protection option. Pheromones are very costly, and the price per gram of even the least expensive pheromone is also high. Furthermore, its formulation and additional labor charges for its application increase the overall expenditure.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

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Sex Pheromones to Emerge as the Most Preferred Type of Pheromones Due to Growing Awareness about Its Applications 

Based on type, the market is divided into sex, aggregation, and other type of pheromones. Sex pheromones are the most preferred type used for pest management techniques and the segment holds prominent share in the global market. The species-specific nature, being active even if present in small amounts, and not being toxic to humans and animals are responsible for the high utilization of sex pheromones. Moreover, regulatory agencies in several countries, such as the California Environmental Protection Agency, consider the utilization of lepidopteran sex pheromones safe.

Aggregation pheromones are also gaining popularity among farmers as they help overcome host resistance, thus offering potential opportunities for the segment to grow.

By Function Analysis

Mating Disruption Segment Holds the Major Share as it is an Important Tool in IPM Systems

Based on function, the market is divided into mating disruption, detection & monitoring, and mass trapping. Mating disruption accounts for the major share in the agricultural pheromones industry. Mating disruption includes using sex pheromones, either female or male, to prevent insects from finding each other and mating. The success rate of using sexual disruption pheromones is higher due to its ability to reduce the pest population. It is a commonly accepted option to control pests in vegetable crops, fruits, and forests.

Detection & monitoring techniques are also adopted for eradicating pests. Automatic detection techniques help in the early detection and removal of aggressive pests, ensuring minimized losses. Presently, mass trapping is also gaining popularity along with the precision agriculture concept. The mass trapping of insects is essential to estimate the pest population and initiate the effective pest management decision.

By Application Analysis

Dispensers are the Preferable Mode of Application Owing to Easy Usage and Higher Convenience

On the basis of application, the market is divided into dispensers, traps, and spray method. Dispensers are the most preferred to apply agricultural pheromones as they are inexpensive to produce, do not waste active ingredients, non-toxic, and can easily be used in the field. It helps deploy pheromones and other bioactive compounds depending upon pest pressure.

Traps are among the useful application modes as they efficiently capture and retain insects and are cost-effective, thereby experiencing significant demand.

By Crop Type Analysis

Orchard Crops Projected to Hold Major Market Share as they are Highly Susceptible to Pests

Based on crop type, the market is classified into field crops, orchard crops, vegetables, and others. Orchard crops are the leading crop types as they are extensively cultivated to produce fruits and nuts, and the high demand for high-value horticulture crops. These crops are more susceptible to pests such as oriental fruit fly, codling moth, and peachtree borer. Hence, the utilization of the product in the horticulture sector is increasing.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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North America stood at USD 1.02 billion in 2021 and holds the major agricultural pheromones market share owing to the wide implementation of integrated pest management solutions for crop protection across the region. The government of Canada and the U.S. are encouraging the utilization of sustainable agrochemicals for crop protection. Various prominent regional players, such as ISCA Technologies Inc. and Suterra LLC, which manufacture agricultural pheromones, aid in driving the regional market. The farmers in North America are adopting pheromones for targeted pest control, and extensive research on developing innovative semiochemicals are some other factors that contribute to the regional market growth.

Europe is projected to hold the second-largest market share in terms of revenue. The expansion of the horticulture sector in several European countries, such as Spain, France, and the U.K., has increased the demand for effective crop protection solutions. The extensive demand for environmentally safe and natural pest control devices and agrochemicals for essential fruit crops, such as plums, grapes, peaches, and apples, contributes to the product demand.

In Asia Pacific, agricultural pheromones have grown widely among farmers to help improve crop yield and maximize profits. The regional market is also fueled by the increasing incorporation of novel and cost-effective active ingredients in the products to reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the product and improve the product's effectiveness. The growing awareness regarding product application and its benefits for yield improvement and lessening agricultural damage caused by pests and insects is driving the sales momentum of agricultural semiochemical products.

The commercial cultivation of soybean, corn, and coffee crops attracts the increased usage of semiochemical products in South American countries. The rising awareness regarding the benefits of semiochemicals in effective crop protection in the Middle East and Africa also supports the agricultural pheromones market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Capitalizing on New Product Development to Strengthen Market Presence 

The market is moderately consolidated with the presence of key players worldwide. Shin-Etsu Chemical Company, SEDQ Healthy Crops SL, Provivi, Inc., Biobest Group NV, Russell IPM, and Koppert Biological Systems are a few prominent companies focusing on innovative product launches and strategic expansion of their operation base by adopting a sustainable agricultural solution. The market players are aggressively exploring all the untapped opportunities to develop organic, efficient, and sustainable products to offer safe crop protection solutions.

September 2021 - Koppert expanded its Horiver sticky trap range by introducing four new traps. The sticky traps, Horiver Wet, Horiver Dry, Horiver Disc, and Horiver Delta help to monitor and trap pests such as aphids, leaf miners, whiteflies, thrips, and other harmful insects in a wide variety of crops.

April 2022 - Biobest acquired a 60% stake in Biopartner sp z.o.o, one of the leading producers and distributors of biological plant protection products, fertilizers, and biopesticides in the Polish horticultural market. This acquisition will help Biobest to strengthen its presence in Poland.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Russell IPM (U.K.)


• Shin-Etsu Chemical Company (Japan)


• Isagro S.p.A. (Italy)


• Biobest Group (Belgium)


• SEDQ Healthy Crops SL (Spain)


• ISCA Global (U.S.)


• Suterra LLC (U.S.)


• Provivi, Inc. (U.S.)


• Koppert Biological Systems (Netherlands)


• Pacific Biocontrol Corporation (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2022: ATGC Biotech Pvt Ltd, a Hyderabad-based company, announced the launch of its new pheromone CREMIT PBW, a mating disruption product exclusively formulated for the management of Pink Bollworm.


• June 2022: Biobest introduced PATS-C, a completely automatic IPM system specially developed for strawberry crops. This novel scouting system helps to improve moth control and an expanding range of aphid controls.


• June 2022: FMC Corporation, an agricultural sciences company, announced a definitive agreement to acquire BioPhero ApS, a Denmark-based pheromone research and production company. The acquisition added biologically produced state-of-the-art pheromone insect control technology to FMC's product portfolio and R&D pipeline, underscoring FMC's role as a leader in delivering innovative and sustainable crop protection solutions.


• March 2022: BASF Digital Farming GmbH, BASF's digital farming solution division, introduced xarvio SCOUTING, a smartphone application that provides instant pheromone trap analysis to farmers. This pheromone trap analysis application supports the farmers of grapes, pome fruit, and stone fruit in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the U.K. This app features advanced image recognition technology, machine learning, and algorithms to identify and count grape moth, codling moth, and oriental fruit moth numbers in pheromone traps.


• November 2021: Suterra, a global leader in sustainable pheromone pest control, signed a partnership agreement with Phytech. The agreement adds Suterra's Puffer aerosol pheromone mating disruption products to Phytech's proven digital farming platform with irrigation IoT monitor and control service. The partnership delivers a complete solution to help growers optimize irrigation, nutrition, and pest control.


• March 2021: Bayer launched Vynyty Citrus, a biological and pheromone-based crop protection product that will control pests on citrus farms. It is a container with an active liquid inside. It is the only product in the market formulated with pheromones and natural pyrethrum to control pests in citrus fruits.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The market research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights, market intelligence on this market, and a detailed analysis of the size and growth rate for all possible segments in the market. The report also provides an elaborative research-based analysis of the market dynamics and its competitive landscape. Numerous key insights provided in the report include the overview of related markets, share analysis, recent industry developments such as mergers & acquisitions, supply chain analysis, regulatory scenario in key countries, key industry trends, and market outlook.

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