세계 제초제 시장 규모는 2024년 341억 6,000만 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 2033년에는 466억 달러에 달하고, 2025-2033년 3.50%의 연평균 복합 성장률(CAGR)을 보일 것으로 예측했습니다. 현재 아시아태평양이 시장을 독점하고 있으며, 2024년 시장 점유율은 26.7% 이상에 달했습니다. 아시아태평양의 성장 원동력은 광범위한 농업 활동, 현대 농업에 대한 정부 지원, 작물 보호에 대한 인식 증가, 지속 가능한 관행을 위한 제초제 처방의 발전입니다.
주요 시장 성장 촉진요인 : 현대식 농법의 채택 증가, 작물 수확량 증가에 대한 필요성 증가로 인한 제초제 수요 증가. 또한, 기존 제초제에 대한 잡초 저항성에 대한 우려가 높아지면서 새로운 제형과 기술의 개발 및 채택이 촉진되고 있습니다.
주요 시장 동향 : 제초제와 윤작 및 기계식 잡초 방제와 같은 다른 방법을 결합한 종합 잡초 관리 전략으로의 전환. 또한, 천연 유래 친환경 제초제의 인기가 높아지면서 지속 가능한 농법에 대한 소비자의 요구가 증가하고 있습니다.
지리적 동향 : 제초제 시장의 최근 동향은 브라질, 인도, 중국 등 신흥 경제국에서 제초제 사용량이 급증하고 있으며, 농업 부문의 확대와 첨단 농업 기술의 도입이 시장 성장에 영향을 미치고 있습니다. 유럽과 북미와 같은 선진 지역에서는 제초제 사용에 대한 규제 감시와 제한이 증가함에 따라 시장 성장이 둔화되고 대체 잡초 방제 방법에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있습니다.
경쟁 구도: 제초제 업계의 주요 기업으로는BASF SE, Bayer AG, Corteva Inc., Drexel Chemical Co. Inc., FMC Corporation, Heranba Industries Ltd., Nissan Chemical Corporation, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Syngenta Group, UPL Limited, Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC 등이 있습니다.
과제와 기회: 제초제의 환경 및 건강 영향에 대한 규제적 도전과 사회적 우려로 인해 보다 안전하고 지속 가능한 제초제 제형에 대한 기술 혁신의 필요성이 대두되고 있습니다. 제초제 시장의 최근 비즈니스 기회는 잡초 저항성에 대응하는 새로운 작용 방식의 제초제 개발과 조경 및 임업과 같은 비농업 분야와 같은 미개척 시장 개척에 있습니다.
식량 생산에 대한 수요 증가
세계자원연구소에 따르면 세계 인구는 2050년까지 100억 명에 달할 것으로 예상되며, 30억 명을 만족시키기 위해서는 식량 생산을 크게 늘려야 합니다. 또한 이 과제를 극복하기 위해서는 농업 생산을 증가시켜야 합니다. 제초제를 사용하지 않으면 햇빛, 물, 영양분 등 중요한 자원을 놓고 작물과 경쟁하는 잡초를 제거할 수 있기 때문에 제초제는 이 과정에 필수적입니다. 이와 함께 제초제 살포 전략은 작물 수확량을 향상시켜 보다 효과적인 농법을 가능하게 합니다. 밭에서 경쟁적인 잡초가 제거되면 작물은 자원을 더 효율적으로 사용하게 되고, 헥타르당 식량 생산량이 증가합니다. 이처럼 자원이 한정된 세상에서 제초제는 증가하는 식량 수요를 충족하고 지속 가능한 농법을 장려하기 위해 필요한 것입니다.
유전자 변형 작물 도입
유전자변형 작물과 그에 대응하는 제초제는 그 궁합이 좋아서 널리 이용되고 있습니다. 제초제 내성과 곤충 저항성을 겸비한 작물은 ISAAA(국제농업생명공학 응용프로그램 획득 서비스)에 따르면 6% 증가하여 현재 전 세계 농지의 45%인 8,510만 헥타르에 달할 전망입니다. 이는 농부들이 무경운 재배와 농약 사용을 자제하는 등 친환경 농법을 선호하고 있음을 보여줍니다. 제초제 내성은 2018년까지 면화, 콩, 카놀라, 옥수수, 알팔파 등의 작물에서 가장 흔한 특징이었습니다. 여기에 더해 유전자 변형(GM) 작물의 통합은 특히 농약 사용의 역학 측면에서 현재 농업에 혁명을 일으켰습니다. 제초제를 견딜 수 있도록 설계된 유전자 변형 작물을 통해 농부들은 작물을 위험에 빠뜨리지 않고 제초제를 사용할 수 있습니다. 또한, 바이오 작물의 재배 면적은 전 세계적으로 수백만 헥타르에 달할 정도로 비약적으로 확대되었습니다. 제초제 내성 형질은 잡초 방제를 단순화하고 전통적인 제초 방법에 드는 노동력과 비용을 절감하여 농업 관행의 효율성을 높입니다. 그 결과, 유전자변형 종자와 그에 맞는 조사방법에 대한 수요가 증가하여 농업방식에 큰 변화를 가져오고 있습니다.
잡초 저항성 증가
제초제 사용의 확대로 인해 잡초 저항성 사례가 증가하고 있습니다. 이는 제초제로 처리된 잡초의 개체군이 치료에 견딜 수 있도록 적응하여 결국 약효가 감소하는 과정에서 발생합니다. 또한 잡초 과학은 제초제 내성이 많이 발생하는 농업 관리의 근본적인 문제를 지적하고 있습니다. 예를 들어, 제초제 내성 잡초는 전 세계적으로 272종(쌍떡잎식물 155종, 단떡잎식물 117종)을 포함하여 531건에서 발견되었습니다. 이들 잡초는 168개의 제초제에 내성을 가지고 있으며, 31개의 알려진 작용 부위 중 21개 부위에 내성을 가지고 있습니다. 이러한 저항성 증가로 인해 저항성 균주를 물리칠 수 있는 새로운 제초제를 개발해야 할 필요성이 대두되고 있습니다. 높은 수준의 농업 생산을 유지하기 위해서는 잡초 저항성 대응이 필수적이며, 이를 위해서는 제초제 개발과 농업 기술에 대한 끊임없는 혁신과 적응이 필요합니다. 예를 들어, 2024년 6월 5일 미국잡초학회(WSSA)가 발행하는 학술지 '위드 테크놀로지(Weed Technology)'에 최근 게재된 연구에 따르면, 옥수수에 사용되는 신규 발아 전 제초제인 디플루페니칸이 여러 제초제에 내성을 가진 물마(Amaranthus tuberculatus)에 대한 통합 잡초 관리의 효과적인 요소로 유망한 것으로 밝혀졌습니다.
The global herbicides market size was valued at USD 34.16 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 46.6 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.50% from 2025-2033. Asia Pacific currently dominates the market, holding a market share of over 26.7% in 2024. The growth of the Asia Pacific region is driven by extensive agricultural activities, government support for modern farming, increasing crop protection awareness, and advancements in herbicide formulations for sustainable practices.
Major Market Drivers: The increasing demand for herbicides due to rising adoption of modern farming practices and the need for higher crop yields. Additionally, the growing concerns about weed resistance to existing herbicides, prompting the development and adoption of new formulations and technologies.
Key Market Trends: The shift toward integrated weed management strategies, combining herbicides with other methods like crop rotation and mechanical weed control. Moreover, the rising popularity of environmentally friendly herbicides derived from natural sources is contributing to consumer demand for sustainable farming practices.
Geographical Trends: The herbicide market recent developments show rapid growth in herbicide usage in emerging economies like Brazil, India, and China, fueled by expanding agricultural sectors and the adoption of advanced farming techniques is influencing the market growth. Also, the increasing regulatory scrutiny and restrictions on herbicide use in developed regions like Europe and North America, lead to slower market growth and greater emphasis on alternative weed control methods.
Competitive Landscape: Some of the major players in herbicides industry include BASF SE, Bayer AG, Corteva Inc., Drexel Chemical Co. Inc., FMC Corporation, Heranba Industries Ltd., Nissan Chemical Corporation, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Syngenta Group, UPL Limited and Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC among many others.
Challenges and Opportunities: Regulatory challenges and public concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of herbicide necessitate greater innovation in safer and more sustainable herbicide formulations. Herbicide market recent opportunities lie in the development of herbicides with novel modes of action to combat weed resistance and expanding into untapped markets such as non-agricultural sectors like landscaping and forestry.
Increasing Demand for Food Production
According to the World Resources Institute, the global population is projected to reach 10 Billion by 2050, which would need a significant increase in food production to satisfy the 3 Billion people that will need to be fed Additionally, agricultural production must be increased to overcome this challenge. Herbicides are essential to this process as they control weeds, which would otherwise compete with crops for vital resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. Along with this, the herbicide application strategy ensures higher crop yields and more effective agricultural practices offering improved food production per hectare from crops using the resources efficiently when fields are kept free of weeds that provide competition. Thus, in a world where resources are limited, this is necessary to meet the growing demand for food and to encourage sustainable agriculture methods.
Adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
GM crops and the corresponding herbicides are widely used due to their compatibility. The combined features of herbicide tolerance and insect resistance grew by 6%, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), and now account for 85.1 million hectares, or 45% of all agricultural land worldwide. It demonstrates the preference of farmers for ecologically friendly agricultural practices, such as no-till planting and less use of pesticides. Herbicide tolerance continued to be the most common feature in crops such as cotton, soybeans, canola, maize, and alfalfa until 2018. Besides this, genetically modified (GM) crop integration has revolutionized current agriculture, especially regarding the dynamics of pesticide use. Genetically modified crops, designed to withstand herbicides, enable farmers to use herbicides without endangering the crop. Additionally, the area cultivated with biotech crops has expanded exponentially, reaching millions of hectares globally. The trait of herbicide resistance simplifies weed control and enhances the effectiveness of agricultural practices by reducing the labor and cost involved in traditional weeding methods. Consequently, this drives the demand for genetically modified seeds and their compatible herbicides, marking a significant shift in agricultural methodologies.
Rising Incidence of Weed Resistance
The growing use of herbicides has led to an increase in weed resistance cases. This process happens when herbicide-treated weed populations adapt to withstand the treatments, eventually decreasing the efficacy of these drugs over time. Additionally, Weed Science indicates a fundamental problem with agricultural management with numerous occurrences of herbicide resistance. For instance, herbicide-resistant weeds have been found in 531 different cases globally, encompassing 272 species (155 dicots and 117 monocots). These weeds have become resistant to 168 different herbicides, covering 21 of the 31 known sites of action. This ongoing need to create new herbicides that can defeat resistant strains is brought on by this increasing resistance. Maintaining high levels of agricultural output depends on addressing weed resistance, which calls for constant innovation and adaptation in the creation of herbicides and farming techniques. For instance, in a study recently published in the journal Weed Technology by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) on 5 June 2024, it was found that Diflufenican, a novel preemergence herbicide for corn, shows promise as an effective component of integrated weed management against water hemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) resistant to multiple herbicides.
Synthetic accounts for the majority of the market share
Synthetic herbicides are chemical components intended to kill certain types of weeds without harming the crops. Farmers across the world use synthetic herbicides extensively due to their cost-effectiveness and efficacy. They provide reliable solutions for large-scale agricultural operations and can manage a wide range of weed species. It consists of many herbicide classes, including 2,4-D, atrazine, and glyphosate, which are popular and shown to increase crop yields by controlling weed growth. Hence key players are introducing advanced product variants to meet these needs, thus contributing to herbicides market growth. For instance, on 9 February 2024, BASF announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of Surtain herbicide, making it the first product with a solid encapsulated premix formulation to hit stores. With its innovative technology, this herbicide gives farmers a wide window of application time, from pre-planting to early post-emergence, and it controls or suppresses 79 important types of grass and broadleaf weeds. It successfully meets the needs of contemporary weed management by utilizing cutting-edge solid encapsulation technology in conjunction with long-lasting residual properties.
Selective herbicides hold the largest share of the industry
Selective herbicides are designed to target specific types of weeds without harming the crops, making them highly valued in agricultural practices. These herbicides provide an essential solution for maintaining crop health and yield by controlling a wide range of weed species that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight. The market is driven by its widespread use in major agricultural countries, where precision and crop safety are critical. Hence key players are introducing advanced product variants to meet numerous herbicide demand. For instance, on 30 March 2023, BASF introduced an enhanced version of its Frequency herbicide, presenting wheat and barley growers with a highly adaptable Group 27 product. This upgraded herbicide boasts superior efficacy against stubborn broadleaf weeds like fleabane, sowthistle, buckwheat/bindweed, wireweed, wild radish, bifora, and capeweed. Additionally, originally introduced in 2020, the improved Frequency now features a smoother consistency, facilitating easier pouring during application. The Frequency label also empowers growers with the flexibility to choose the main tank-mix partner and adjust application rates, enabling customization of the spray solution to target specific weed types and sizes.
Grains and cereals represent the leading market segment
As per the herbicides market overview, the grains and cereals segment reflects the extensive use of herbicides in cultivating staple crops like wheat, rice, and corn. It is primarily driven by the global necessity to maximize crop yields and effectively manage weed resistance, particularly in major agricultural regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. The application of herbicides in grains and cereals helps ensure crop uniformity and significantly boosts productivity by reducing competition from weeds for vital resources such as light, nutrients, and water, which positively generates herbicide market revenue. For instance, on 13 March 2024, Corteva Agriscience announced the expansion of its primary cereal herbicide selection in Canada by introducing Extinguish XL herbicide. This new product aims to address the challenge of broadleaf weeds for wheat and barley growers in the black and grey soil zones of Western Canada. Extinguish XL herbicide offers a comprehensive solution with various modes of action, delivering effective control of persistent weeds such as cleavers, dandelion, round-leaved mallow, stork's-bill, and narrow-leaved hawk's beard, adaptable to diverse weather conditions.
Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest herbicides market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for herbicides.
As per the herbicides market forecast Asia Pacific region is dominating the market due to the extensive agricultural activities across populous countries like China and India. It is further bolstered by the increasing adoption of modern agricultural practices, a growing focus on crop yield enhancement, and the rising need for weed management due to the intensification of farming activities. Additionally, governments are also supporting the use of herbicides through various agricultural policies, which aim to meet the food demands of an increasing population, thus creating a positive herbicides market outlook. For instance, on 4 May 2023, BASF introduced two novel herbicides, Facet and Duvelon, aimed at assisting rice and tea growers in addressing the persistent issue of problematic weeds. It provides efficient and dependable control of the significant grassy weed Echinochloa spp in rice cultivation, while Duvelon, powered by Kixor Active, presents an effective weed management regimen tailored for tea plantations. This launch represents an expansion of BASF's offerings in the rice and tea herbicide markets, providing high-efficacy products that meet the specific needs of growers. In India, where rice and tea production ranks second globally, weed control poses a significant challenge, impacting crop quality and yield. Hence, the introduction of Facet and Duvelon addresses this challenge, offering farmers reliable solutions for weed management and crop protection.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the herbicides industry include BASF SE, Bayer AG, Corteva Inc., Drexel Chemical Co. Inc., FMC Corporation, Heranba Industries Ltd., Nissan Chemical Corporation, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Syngenta Group, UPL Limited, and Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC.