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Agricultural Biologicals Market

The market for Agricultural Biologicals was estimated at $17.8 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $35.1 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $69.0 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1305005
Author:Vineet Pandey - Business Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Chemicals & Materials
Agrochemicals
Agricultural Biologicals
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Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Agricultural Biologicals Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$17.8B

Forecast, 2035

$69.0B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

14.5%

The Agricultural Biologicals industry revenue is expected to be around $17.8 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 14.5% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Building on this momentum, the Agricultural Biologicals market has become a central enabler of sustainable agriculture, as regulators, food brands, and growers seek effective alternatives to synthetic crop protection and nutrition inputs. Its current significance is reinforced by tightening residue limits, climate-driven pest pressures, and the imperative to restore soil health while maintaining high productivity across large-acre crops and high-value fruits & vegetables. Adoption of biocontrol, biostimulants, and biofertilizers is accelerating within integrated pest management programs and organic farming systems, where growers value the combination of efficacy, environmental stewardship, and alignment with consumer demand for safer, traceable food. As a result, leading input suppliers, agtech innovators, and farm cooperatives are embedding Agricultural Biologicals into core agronomic programs, ensuring the segment remains structurally relevant across both developed and emerging markets.

At its core, Agricultural Biologicals encompasses naturally derived biocontrol agents, microbial biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers that enhance plant health, biological crop protection, and nutrient-use efficiency through living organisms or biologically active compounds. These solutions are applied in seed treatment, foliar sprays, and soil amendments, with cereals & grains and fruits & vegetables emerging as the dominant crop type segments and together accounting for 76.7% of market adoption. Within the product mix, the Biocontrol Type leads the Agricultural Biologicals industry, generating approximately $7.69 billion in sales in 2025 as growers prioritize residue-free pest and disease management that can be integrated with conventional chemistry. Recent market trends include rapid innovation in microbial consortia, data-enabled field performance optimization, and partnerships between biotech firms and established crop protection companies, all of which are expanding use cases, improving return on investment for growers, and reinforcing Agricultural Biologicals as a mainstream component of modern, climate-resilient crop protection strategies.

Agricultural Biologicals market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Agricultural Biologicals Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Agricultural Biologicals market is projected to grow from $17.8 billion in 2025 to $69.0 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 14.5%, reflecting rising demand across Biocontrol Agents, Biofertilizers, and Biostimulants.

  • BASF SE, Syngenta, and Bayer AG are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and UK are the top markets within the Agricultural Biologicals market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 13.1% to 17.4% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Vietnam, Brazil and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 10.1% to 15.2%.

  • Transition like Rise of Organic Farming is expected to add $4 billion to the Agricultural Biologicals market growth by 2030.

  • The Agricultural Biologicals market is set to add $51.2 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Soil Treatment & Seed Treatment Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    rising demand for sustainable farming and reduced chemical dependency driving biological adoption, and

    Advancements in Microbial Technologies Improving Performance and Consistency of Biological Products, Agricultural Biologicals market to expand 287% between 2025 and 2035.

agricultural biologicals market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Agricultural Biologicals - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Agricultural Biologicals

In African smallholder rice and pulse systems, limited access to synthetic fertilizers and rising interest in organic farming are also opening a scalable opportunity for Agricultural Biologicals, particularly biofertilizers. Nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing formulations tailored to local soils can improve yields and food security while lowering input costs and environmental impact. Globally, biofertilizer revenues are expected to expand from $4.68 billion in 2025 to $8.71 billion by 2030, at 13.2% CAGR, with smallholder-focused solutions likely to outpace average market growth.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

In North America, Agricultural Biologicals adoption is most advanced in Cereals & Grains, where large-scale row-crop growers increasingly integrate biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers into precision and integrated pest management programs to enhance yield stability and residue compliance. Top opportunities include targeted microbial inoculants for maize and wheat, biological seed treatments tailored to local soil microbiomes, and premium biological crop protection bundles for regenerative and sustainable agriculture supply chains. Competition is intensifying as global agro-input leaders, specialized biologicals companies, and digital-farming platforms converge, driving portfolio differentiation through compatibility with existing chemistries, robust field data, and tailored technical service for large agribusinesses and progressive cooperatives. Key regional drivers are tightening residue standards from food processors and retailers, rapid growth of certified organic farming and low-residue programs, and grower demand for solutions that maintain profitability under climatic stress, supporting investment in high-performance, easy-to-handle formulations and channel partnerships focused on Cereals & Grains-centric territories.
In Asia-Pacific, Agricultural Biologicals show the highest relevance in Fruits & Vegetables, where intensive horticulture, export-quality requirements, and smallholder-centric production systems create strong pull for residue-free crop protection and plant health solutions. Leading opportunities include cost-effective biopesticides and biostimulants tailored to high-value crops such as grapes, citrus, berries, leafy vegetables, and specialty greenhouse produce, along with biofertilizers that improve nutrient-use efficiency in fragmented, input-constrained farms. Competition features a mix of regional manufacturers, local formulators, and emerging start-ups that localize formulations and pack sizes, while multinational innovators compete through science-backed, premium offerings and partnerships with contract growers and export pack-houses. Core growth drivers are the expansion of export-oriented horticulture, government incentives for sustainable agriculture and reduced chemical intensity, rapid urban demand for safe food, and increasing awareness of integrated pest management, creating strong rationale for investments in localized R&D, smallholder advisory networks, and differentiated positioning of biological solutions for Fruits & Vegetables across key sub-markets in the region.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Rising Demand for Sustainable Farming and Reduced Chemical Dependency Driving Biological Adoption

Rising demand for sustainable farming practices is also a key driver of the agricultural biologicals market, as growers and regulators increasingly focus on environmental protection and soil health. Concerns over chemical residues, biodiversity loss, and long-term soil degradation are also encouraging the shift toward biological solutions such as biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, and biostimulants. Separately, reduced chemical dependency is also accelerating adoption as stricter regulations limit the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in many regions. Farmers are also integrating agricultural biologicals into crop management programs to maintain productivity while meeting compliance standards. This trend is also especially strong in fruits, vegetables, and export-oriented crops, where sustainability certifications influence market access. Together, sustainability goals and regulatory pressure are also creating sustained demand for biological alternatives across global agriculture.
Advancements in microbial technologies are also a major driver supporting the agricultural biologicals market. Improved strain selection, fermentation techniques, and formulation technologies have also enhanced the stability, shelf life, and field performance of biological products. These innovations address earlier concerns around inconsistent results, making biologicals more reliable for large-scale farming. The trend is also particularly evident in next-generation biocontrol agents and biofertilizers engineered for specific crops and soil conditions. Enhanced delivery systems, such as seed coatings and encapsulated microbes, further improve effectiveness. As product performance becomes more predictable, farmer confidence and commercial adoption continue to grow.
02

Restraint: Inconsistent Field Performance and Limited Shelf Life Reduce Farmer Confidence and Adoption

A key restraint in the agricultural biologicals market is the inconsistent performance across varied field conditions and relatively limited shelf life of many products. Biological solutions such as microbial biofertilizers and biocontrol agents can be sensitive to temperature, soil microbiota, and moisture levels, leading to variable results compared with synthetic chemicals. For example, farmers in regions with extreme climates may see reduced efficacy, which dampens repeat purchases and slows revenue growth for suppliers. Shorter storage stability also increases logistic costs and waste, limiting large-scale commercial adoption and hindering market expansion in mainstream row crop agriculture.
03

Opportunity: Biostimulants for drought-resilient cereal and oilseed farming in India and Integrated biocontrol solutions for high-value horticulture crops in Europe

In India, climate volatility and chronic water stress are accelerating demand for Agricultural Biologicals that enhance stress tolerance in cereals and oilseeds, with biostimulants poised for the fastest growth. Globally, biostimulant revenues are forecast to rise from $4.52 billion in 2025 to $9.79 billion by 2030, reflecting a 16.7% CAGR, the highest among all types. Tailored foliar and seed-treatment biostimulants targeting drought resilience, root architecture, and nutrient-use efficiency remain underpenetrated, offering strong upside in sustainable agriculture and regenerative agriculture programs.
Rising demand for residue-free fruit and vegetable production in Europe is creating an opportunity for Agricultural Biologicals, especially biocontrol products and microbial inoculants for greenhouse and high-value horticulture. Adoption within integrated pest management programs remains uneven across mid-sized growers, leaving untapped potential for targeted insecticides, fungicides, and pheromone-based solutions. Globally, biocontrol revenues are projected to increase from $7.69 billion in 2025 to $15.01 billion by 2030, with 14.3% CAGR, positioning horticultural applications to capture a major share of this expansion.
04

Challenge: Stringent Regulatory Frameworks and High Approval Barriers Delay Product Commercialization

Another major restraint is the stringent regulatory frameworks and prolonged approval processes required for agricultural biologicals in key markets like the U.S., EU, and Asia. Though biologicals are often perceived as safer, they still undergo extensive safety and efficacy assessments that can take years to complete. This delays time to market and increases development costs, particularly for smaller innovators. For instance, lengthy registration timelines force companies to allocate more budget to compliance rather than marketing or scaling production. These regulatory challenges restrict product pipelines and slow market growth by favoring established players with deeper resources.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Biostimulants Biofertilizers Inputs

NovozymesChr. HansenLallemand Plant Care
2

Agricultural Biologicals Manufacturing

BASF SEBayer AGSyngenta
3

Crop Protection Distribution

NutrienHelena Agri-EnterprisesCorteva Agriscience
4

Sustainable Agriculture Applications

Row crop farmingFruit and vegetable productionHigh-value specialty crops
Agricultural Biologicals - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Agricultural Biologicals in Biocontrol Agents & Biostimulants

Biocontrol Agents : Biocontrol agents are widely used agricultural biologicals that rely on beneficial microorganisms, insects, and natural compounds to manage pests and plant diseases. Common types include microbial pesticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma species, and beneficial nematodes. These agents work by suppressing harmful pathogens, disrupting pest life cycles, or enhancing natural plant defense mechanisms. They are extensively applied in fruits, vegetables, and high-value crops where chemical residue limits are strict. Biocontrol agents offer targeted pest management with minimal impact on non-target organisms, making them an essential component of integrated pest management programs adopted by both conventional and organic farming systems.
Biofertilizers : Biofertilizers consist mainly of living microorganisms such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, and mycorrhizal fungi that enhance soil fertility and nutrient availability. These agricultural biologicals are applied to seeds, soil, or plant roots to improve nutrient uptake and promote healthier crop growth. Biofertilizers are commonly used in cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Their ability to improve soil structure, enhance microbial activity, and increase crop yields makes them particularly valuable in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Growing awareness of soil health management is further driving biofertilizer adoption.
Biostimulants : Biostimulants are agricultural biologicals derived from natural substances such as seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic substances, and microbial formulations. They are used to stimulate plant growth, enhance stress tolerance, and improve crop quality rather than directly supplying nutrients. Biostimulants are widely applied through foliar sprays or soil treatments in crops exposed to drought, salinity, or temperature stress. They help improve root development, nutrient efficiency, and overall plant resilience. Their growing use across specialty crops and large-scale farming reflects increasing demand for sustainable yield enhancement solutions.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the agricultural biologicals market emphasize rapid biopesticide innovation, microbial inoculant adoption, and integration with precision agriculture tools. A key trend is the shift toward data-driven biological solutions, where microbial technologies are tailored for specific crops and soil profiles, enhancing efficacy and consistency. Demand for sustainable crop protection and biofertilizer solutions is growing as farmers seek to reduce chemical inputs and improve soil health. Partnerships between biotech firms and large agribusinesses are accelerating commercial availability and market penetration globally.

May 2025 : Syngenta AG finalized the acquisition of Intrinsyx Bio, a California-based biotech specializing in nutrient use efficiency (NUE) biological products. This strategic move strengthens Syngenta’s position in the fast-growing biologicals market and enhances its portfolio of solutions for sustainable crop health and yield improvement.
February 2025 : Syngenta AG acquired the Novartis repository of natural compounds and genetic strains, integrating the fermentation pilot plant and research team to accelerate development of next-generation agricultural biologicals, including biopesticides and biostimulants.
July 2024 : Corteva Inc. completed its acquisition of Symborg, a Spanish biologicals company focused on microbial solutions for agriculture. This deal enhances Corteva’s biological product portfolio, including nutrient-enhancing and plant-health solutions, supporting its broader sustainable agriculture strategy.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Agricultural Biologicals Market

As a core segment of the Agrochemicals industry, the Agricultural Biologicals market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Rise of Organic Farming and Exploitation of Biotechnology Advancements have redefined priorities across the Agrochemicals sector, influencing how the Agricultural Biologicals market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Rise of Organic Farming

The accelerating shift toward organic farming is becoming a decisive growth catalyst for Agricultural Biologicals, with this transition alone projected to add approximately $4 billion to the agricultural biologicals market by 2030. As consumers increasingly reject synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, demand is rapidly expanding for biopesticides, biofertilizers, and biocontrol agents that align with sustainable agriculture objectives and strengthen crop protection outcomes. This structural change is compelling farmers to adopt biological inputs as core tools in integrated pest management strategies, enhancing soil health and supporting regenerative agriculture models. Consequently, Agricultural Biologicals are moving from niche alternatives to mainstream agronomic solutions, reshaping input portfolios, redirecting research and development priorities, and reinforcing the long‑term competitiveness of producers that can scale high‑performance, organically compliant biological offerings.
02

Exploitation of Biotechnology Advancements

The agricultural biologicals market is rapidly transitioning due to the growing exploitation of advanced biotechnology practices. Innovations in genetic engineering, microbial fermentation, and strain optimization are enabling the development of highly effective biopesticides and biofertilizers with improved stability and performance. These biotechnology-driven products are increasingly used to enhance crop protection and soil health while reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. The impact of this transition extends to the seed treatment and crop nutrition industries, where biologically enhanced inputs are improving germination rates and nutrient efficiency. Agrochemical companies are also integrating biotechnology-based biologicals into their portfolios, reshaping competitive dynamics and supporting sustainable farming models across both conventional and organic agriculture systems.