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Biological Control Agents Market

The market for Biological Control Agents was estimated at $4.9 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $8.8 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $15.6 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1305035
Author:Vineet Pandey - Business Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Chemicals & Materials
Agrochemicals
Biological Control Agents
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Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Biological Control Agents Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$4.9B

Forecast, 2035

$15.6B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

12.2%

The Biological Control Agents industry revenue is expected to be around $4.9 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 12.2% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. The encouraging growth trend indicates the importance of biological control agents today due to factors like scientific advancements and changes in crop protection practices in response to rising pesticide resistance and environmental worries. With ecosystems facing threats from pests and the push for sustainable agricultural practices gaining momentum due to environmental concerns, reliance, on biological control agents remains a vital component of innovative biocontrol strategies.

A significant change in how pestsre managed is being heralded by biological control agents that include parasitoids and predators which can effectively address different pest issues in various settings such, as agriculture and forestry; there is also a recent movement to incorporate these agents into urban pest control practices.

Biological Control Agents market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Biological Control Agents Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Biological Control Agents market is projected to grow from $4.9 billion in 2025 to $15.6 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 12.2%, reflecting rising demand across Agricultural Pest Management, Bio-Medical Research, and Aquaculture.

  • Koppert B.V., BASF SE, and Syngenta Group are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Biological Control Agents market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 11.0% to 14.6% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 8.5% to 12.8%.

  • Transition like Rise of Biopesticides is expected to add $975 million to the Biological Control Agents market growth by 2030.

  • The Biological Control Agents market is set to add $10.7 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Cereals & grains & Oilseeds Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    expanding sustainable pest management demand and advances in microbial formulation technologies, and

    Increasing adoption of integrated pest and biofouling management practices, Biological Control Agents market to expand 216% between 2025 and 2035.

biological control agents market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Biological Control Agents - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Biological Control Agents

The expansion and progress in the biotechnology sector offer an opportunity, for improving the effectiveness and specificity of biological control agents by making them better suited to different environmental conditions and a larger variety of pests.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Europe

In North America's agriculture sectors new trend is the growing popularity of using Biological control agents due to the rise in sustainable farming practices adoption rates. The United States is leading this movement towards biological methods and creating numerous chances for these agents to thrive. There is an edge in the market here with key players striving to strengthen their position. The main factors contributing to this growth are environmental rules and the increasing desire, for organic products.
In Europe's agriculture sector spanning countries such as Spain and France with Germany leading the way in innovation and strict eco friendly pest control regulations are paving the way for a rise in biological control agents market competition fueled by a growing preference for farming practices and a shift towards bio based pest control solutions, within theindustry'slandscape.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Expanding sustainable pest management demand and advances in microbial formulation technologies

Rising regulatory pressure to reduce chemical pesticides and growing environmental awareness are also accelerating demand for biological control agents across agriculture and industrial ecosystems. Governments are also promoting integrated pest and microbial management practices, creating steady adoption pathways. Parallel to this, also advances in microbial strain selection, fermentation, and formulation technologies are also improving shelf life, efficacy, and application flexibility of biological agents. Innovations such as encapsulated microbes and synergistic bio-consortia allow targeted control with consistent performance. Together, sustainability-driven policy support and technology upgrades are also enabling biological control agents to penetrate conventional chemical-dominated markets, supporting long-term volume growth and premium pricing in specialized applications.
End users are also increasingly adopting integrated management strategies that combine biological control agents with physical and minimal chemical methods. This trend is also particularly strong in agriculture, water treatment, and industrial systems where resistance to chemicals and operational downtime are also costly. Biological agents provide preventive control, slow resistance development, and align with ESG goals. Their compatibility with automation and monitoring tools further enhances adoption, making them a core component of modern, efficiency-focused management systems.
02

Restraint: Regulatory Constraints

The use of Biological control agents in quantities is regulated by strict rules and regulations designed to safeguard the environment and local wildlife from potential risks across different regions worldwide. This can lead to an expensive approval process, for these agents which may hinder their popularity in the market and impede market expansion. Extensive research is essential to meet these standards which adds to the overall expenses of developing and bringing Biological control agents to market.
03

Opportunity: Strategic Collaborations and Exploitation of Untapped Industrial Sectors

Collaborating with organizations involved in bio control research and development could be advantageous, for both parties involved in the partnership. This kind of teamwork allows manufacturers of biological control agents to tap into technologies and research approaches. These collaborations help to fuel the innovation process and guarantee a supply of improved products for a wide range of uses.
Biological agents used for controlling pests have been widely used in agriculture but have not only been fully utilized in industries such, as waste management and sanitation yet; these agents could help break down waste effectively and lessen its environmental impact.
04

Challenge: Competing Pest Control Methods

Another considerable challenge is the competition presented by chemical-based pest control methods. Despite the adverse environmental impacts of pesticides, they continue to be widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and immediate results. The quicker onset of action and widespread availability make chemical control agents a dominant player in the pest control industry. This particularly challenges the adoption and market growth of Biological control agents, a more eco-friendly but slower-acting alternative.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Research & Development

Bayer Crop ScienceBASF
2

Manufacturing of Active Ingredients

BioWorksSyngenta
3

Formulation & Packaging

Koppert Biological SystemsBiobest
4

Market Distribution

Certified Crop AdvisorsAgronomic Service Providers
Biological Control Agents - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Biological Control Agents in Agricultural Pest Management & Bio-Medical Research

Agricultural Pest Management : In the agriculture industry, biological control agents are widely utilized as a means to control pests, reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Predatory insects like ladybugs and parasitic nematodes are common agents used in this sector. Their unique advantage lies in their nature-driven, non-toxic approach to pest management, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods. Biobest and Koppert Biological Systems are leading players that capitalize on these benefits, well-positioned in the market due to their diversified product range and robust research and development strategies.
Bio-Medical Research : Biological control agents also find significant application in bio-medical research. They are used for modifying bacterial populations or studying host-pathogen interactions. Phages, a of virus that attacks bacteria, are predominantly used biological control agents in this realm. They offer unique advantages in precision targeting and population control with minimal side-effects, creating a potentially revolutionary approach to disease control. Market leaders within this application include GangaGen Biotechnologies and Pherecydes Pharma.
Aquaculture : Biological control agents are garnering attention in the aquaculture industry as well, acting as organic alternatives to chemical treatments for controlling sea lice and other disease-causing organisms. The use of cleaner fish like wrasse or lumpsuckers is a growing trend in sustainable aquaculture practices. This approach not only minimizes chemical residues in aquatic environments but also helps maintain healthier fish populations by promoting natural parasite removal. As sustainability becomes a priority across global aquaculture operations, integrating such biological solutions is emerging as a practical, eco-friendly strategy to improve productivity while preserving ecosystem balance.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in biological control agents show strong momentum in biopesticides and microbial agents adoption, driven by tighter environmental regulations and demand for sustainable agriculture. Companies are enhancing strain efficacy and formulation stability to expand use beyond crops into industrial and water treatment segments. Integrated digital tools are improving integrated pest management strategies, while complementary biofertilizers gain traction. A key market trend is the shift toward multi-functional biological solutions that reduce chemical inputs and support ecosystem health.

March 2025 : Syngenta AG entered a strategic collaboration with Koppert Biological Systems to co-develop and commercialize a pipeline of microbial biocontrol products across North America, Europe and Asia, strengthening its biologicals portfolio and global distribution reach.
January 2025 : Novozymes A/S launched a new microbial-based biofungicide within its agriculture portfolio that combines enzyme-assisted delivery with microbial action, enhancing crop protection and broadening its biological solutions lineup.
December 2024 : Syngenta AG acquired California-based Intrinsyx Bio and integrated Novartis’ Natural Products Collection to build a stronger biologicals innovation pipeline and expand R&D capabilities for next-generation sustainable crop solutions.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Biological Control Agents Market

As a core segment of the Agrochemicals industry, the Biological Control Agents market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Rise of Biopesticides and Adoption in Integrated Pest Management have redefined priorities across the Agrochemicals sector, influencing how the Biological Control Agents market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Rise of Biopesticides

The agricultural sector is rapidly transitioning towards biological control strategies to meet the escalating food demands of a growing global population. This shift, characterized by the increased adoption of biocontrol agents such as ladybugs, green lacewings, and predatory mites, is not only enhancing crop vitality and productivity but also promoting environmental sustainability and reducing pest resistance risks. As a result, the Biological Control Agents market is projected to experience a substantial growth surge, with the rise of biopesticides alone expected to contribute an impressive $993 million by 2030. This strategic pivot underscores the critical role of biocontrol solutions in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and addressing the pressing challenges of food security.
02

Adoption in Integrated Pest Management

Another noteworthy transition is the incorporation of biological control agents in Integrated Pest Management strategies. The move towards integrated strategies stems from the understanding that a single method of pest control is often insufficient in modern farming practices. As Agricultural Biologicals systems become more complex and pest resistance continues to rise, farmers are increasingly adopting multi-layered approaches that combine biological, cultural, and mechanical methods for more sustainable outcomes. This shift not only reduces dependence on chemical pesticides but also promotes ecological balance, enhances crop resilience, and supports long-term agricultural productivity.