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Plant Growth Regulators Market

The market for Plant Growth Regulators was estimated at $3.6 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $5.3 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $7.7 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1305013
Author:Vineet Pandey - Business Consultant
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Datatree
Chemicals & Materials
Agrochemicals
Plant Growth Regulators
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Market Data
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Table of Contents

Global Plant Growth Regulators Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$3.6B

Forecast, 2035

$7.7B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

7.8%

The Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) industry revenue is expected to be around $3.6 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 7.8% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. Building on this outlook, the Plant Growth Regulators industry is cementing its position as a critical enabler of sustainable agriculture, as growers seek precise tools to improve crop productivity, quality, and resource-use efficiency across diverse climatic zones. Demand is being driven by rising global food requirements, shrinking arable land, and the need for yield enhancement under increasing abiotic and biotic stress, where plant hormones help strengthen stress tolerance and optimize physiological responses. The PGR market is further supported by the rapid professionalization of farming, expansion of precision farming practices, and integration with crop protection chemicals to deliver more predictable outcomes, particularly in high-value fruits & vegetables and staple cereals & grains, which together account for 73.8% of application demand. Within this landscape, cytokinins have emerged as the dominant type, generating approximately $1.35 billion in sales in 2025, underlining their strategic importance in driving cell division, fruit sizing, and shelf-life extension, while stringent regulatory compliance frameworks and incentives for lower-residue solutions continue to reinforce the long-term relevance of Plant Growth Regulators in modern production systems.

Plant Growth Regulators are natural or synthetic compounds that act as exogenous plant hormones, applied in very small doses to precisely modulate key physiological processes such as germination, root development, stem elongation, flowering, fruit set, and ripening, thereby enabling targeted control over crop architecture and phenology. Core product categories typically include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene releasers, and growth inhibitors or retardants, formulated for seed treatment, foliar sprays, or soil and fertigation applications, and tailored to major crops including fruits & vegetables, cereals & grains, oilseeds, pulses, and specialty crops. Key features such as low use rates, compatibility with integrated pest management programs, and the ability to fine-tune plant responses make PGRs indispensable in intensive horticulture, seed production, and lodging control in cereals, while also supporting premium attributes like uniform size, color, and post-harvest storability. Recent market trends highlight a strong shift toward bio-based and eco-friendly formulations, greater adoption in organic farming systems, increased R&D into novel cytokinin-based and combination products, and the integration of PGRs with digital decision-support tools and precision application technologies, all of which are collectively propelling demand and embedding these solutions more deeply into advanced crop management strategies.

Plant Growth Regulators market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Plant Growth Regulators Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Plant Growth Regulators market is projected to grow from $3.6 billion in 2025 to $7.7 billion in 2035. This represents a CAGR of 7.8%, reflecting rising demand across Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, and Fruits & Vegetables.

  • BASF SE, UPL, and Corteva Agriscience are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Plant Growth Regulators market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 5.1% to 7.5% between 2025 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Indonesia, South Africa and Canada are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 9.0% to 10.8%.

  • Transition like Surge in Organic Farming is expected to add $445 million to the Plant Growth Regulators market growth by 2030.

  • The Plant Growth Regulators market is set to add $4.1 billion between 2025 and 2035, with manufacturer targeting Oilseeds & Pulses & Fruits & Vegetables Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    increasing demand for organic produce, and

    Advances in Biotechnology, Plant Growth Regulators market to expand 112% between 2025 and 2035.

plant growth regulators market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Plant Growth Regulators - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Plant Growth Regulators

Stricter residue limits and consumer demand for eco-friendly production in European apples, pears, citrus, and vineyards are also opening premium niches for Plant Growth Regulators aligned with sustainable agriculture. Bio-based Auxins and Gibberellins that support thinning, uniform fruit sizing, and color development can tap robust global growth, with Auxins alone expected to rise from $1.08 to $1.54 billion by 2030 at about 7.4% CAGR. Untapped potential lies in integrating PGRs with orchard-focused biostimulants and precision foliar application technologies effectively.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

In North America, Plant Growth Regulators adoption is most pronounced in Cereals & Grains, where producers seek crop yield enhancement, standability, and stress tolerance for large-scale corn and wheat systems, while high-value Fruits & Vegetables form a fast-growing niche for quality-focused programs. Top opportunities lie in advanced plant hormones and agricultural biostimulants tailored to precision farming and seed treatment solutions, including differentiated gibberellins and cytokinins for drought, heat, and lodging management. Competition is characterized by a concentrated set of multinational crop protection manufacturers and strong regional distributors, pushing new entrants to compete on data-backed performance, customized formulations, and integrated crop management packages rather than price alone. Key drivers include stricter environmental expectations, retailer-led sustainability programs, rapid digitalization of agronomy services, and the shift toward organic farming inputs and low-residue auxin-based solutions, creating room for premium PGR portfolios with strong technical support and field validation.
In Asia-Pacific, Fruits & Vegetables represent the most influential application for Plant Growth Regulators due to intensive horticulture, fragmented landholdings, and a strong focus on visual quality, shelf-life, and export compliance, while Cereals & Grains such as rice and wheat remain essential for volume-driven yield enhancement. Top opportunities center on cost-effective, high-impact PGR formulations that combine classic plant hormones with locally relevant agricultural biostimulants, along with crop-specific auxin and gibberellin programs for rice, chilies, grapes, and orchard crops. Competition is highly fragmented, with aggressive local formulators offering low-cost generics, compelling differentiated players to emphasize consistent quality, residue management, and tailored advisory services rather than simple product selling. Market drivers include rising food demand, government-backed productivity missions, climate variability, water stress, and accelerating adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, creating strategic space for multi-tier portfolios, smallholder-focused training platforms, and regionally adapted PGR solutions integrated into broader crop protection and nutrient management programs.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Growing Need for Yield Optimization and Climate Resilience in Crop Production

The increasing global demand for food has also intensified the focus on yield optimization, driving adoption of plant growth regulators in major cropping systems. Regulators like gibberellins and auxins help manage plant height, improve grain fill, and enhance flower retention, enabling farmers to maximize output on existing agricultural land. also advances in application timing and formulation have also further improved their efficiency in cereals and high value horticultural crops. At the same time, climate change and erratic weather patterns have also heightened the need for crop resilience tools. Plant growth regulators help mitigate stress effects from drought, heat, and humidity by strengthening plant physiological responses. This dual focus on yield enhancement and stress management is also influencing growers to integrate these products into routine crop management practices across diverse geographies and cropping conditions.
Technological advancements in precision agriculture are also a key driver for the PGRs market. GPS enabled sprayers, drone applications, and variable rate technologies allow accurate delivery of regulators at optimal crop stages, reducing waste and improving efficacy. These tools support data driven decision making, aligning regulator use with crop phenology and environmental conditions. Enhanced formulation technologies such as microencapsulation and improved adjuvants also contribute by increasing uptake and stability. Together, these innovations are also expanding adoption among modern farmers seeking efficient, cost effective crop growth solutions.
02

Restraint: Stringent Regulatory Frameworks Restricting Active Ingredients and Market Entry

One major restraint for the plant growth regulators market is the tightening of regulatory frameworks governing active ingredient approvals and product registrations. Many regions are imposing stricter safety evaluations related to human health and environmental impact. This has led to the withdrawal or limited use of some PGR compounds, increasing compliance costs and delaying time to market for new products. For example, additional residue testing and longer approval timelines in North America and Europe discourage smaller manufacturers from launching innovative regulators, slowing overall market growth and reducing competitive intensity by favoring established players with greater regulatory expertise.
03

Opportunity: Precision horticulture and greenhouse vegetables in India and Southeast Asia and Cereal seed treatment and drought-resilient crops in African smallholdings

Rapid expansion of protected cultivation and hydroponic systems across India and Southeast Asia is creating a focused opportunity for Plant Growth Regulators in high-value tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens. Growers seek consistent yields, improved fruit set, and longer shelf life, favoring Cytokinins and Gibberellins, which already generate about $1.35 and $0.86 billion globally and are projected to reach $2.04 and $1.24 billion by 2030. Under-served greenhouse clusters need precision agriculture programs bundling PGRs with biostimulants and controlled-release formulations tailored to local climate variability.
Climate volatility and chronic water stress across African smallholdings are intensifying demand for affordable PGRs in cereal and pulse seed treatment. Auxin and Gibberellin formulations that enhance root architecture, early vigor, and stress tolerance can significantly raise yield stability on low-input maize, sorghum, and millet fields. Global Gibberellins are projected to grow from $0.86 to $1.24 billion by 2030, while the diverse others segment climbs from $0.35 to $0.48 billion, driven by collaborations with NGOs and agro-dealer networks.
04

Challenge: Limited Awareness and Adoption Among Smallholder and Resource-Constrained Farmers

Another significant challenge is the relatively low awareness and adoption of PGRs among smallholder and resource constrained farmers, especially in developing regions. Many growers lack access to agronomic extension services or clear guidance on proper timing, dosage, and benefits of PGR use. Uncertainty around crop response results in inconsistent demand, particularly for cereals and pulses where ROI may seem less immediate. Without targeted education and demonstration programs, these segments remain untapped or under-penetrated, limiting broader market revenue growth and slowing diffusion of PGR technologies across diverse agricultural systems.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Raw Materials

BASF SEBayer AG
2

Plant Growth Regulators

Syngenta Group AGCorteva Agriscience
3

Crop Protection Distribution

UPL LimitedSyngenta Group AG
4

End-Use Industries

Cereal and grain cropsFruits and vegetable farmingTurf and ornamental plants
Plant Growth Regulators - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Plant Growth Regulators in Cereals & Grains & Fruits & Vegetables

Cereals & Grains : Plant growth regulators play a vital role in cereals and grains production by improving yield stability and crop architecture. In crops such as wheat, rice, and barley, gibberellin inhibitors like chlormequat chloride and trinexapac ethyl are widely used to reduce lodging by shortening and strengthening stems. This allows plants to better withstand wind and heavy rainfall while supporting higher nitrogen fertilization. Auxins and cytokinins are also applied in certain regions to enhance tillering and grain filling. These regulators are typically sprayed during early stem elongation stages, helping farmers achieve uniform growth, improved harvest efficiency, and higher overall productivity.
Oilseeds & Pulses : In oilseeds and pulses, PGRs are primarily used to optimize flowering, pod setting, and plant architecture. Auxins and gibberellins are commonly applied in crops such as soybean, canola, and lentils to improve flower retention and reduce premature pod drop. Cytokinins are also used to stimulate cell division and enhance seed development, leading to improved oil content and yield quality. Farmers apply these regulators as foliar sprays during critical reproductive stages to ensure balanced vegetative and reproductive growth. Their use supports better stress tolerance under variable climatic conditions, contributing to consistent output and improved profitability.
Fruits & Vegetables : PGRs are extensively utilized in fruits and vegetables to control ripening, fruit size, and overall crop uniformity. Ethylene releasers like ethephon are commonly used to promote uniform ripening in crops such as tomatoes and bananas, while gibberellins help increase fruit size in grapes and citrus. Auxins are applied to prevent fruit drop and improve setting in crops like apples and mangoes. These regulators are carefully timed based on crop phenology, allowing growers to meet market quality standards, extend shelf life, and enhance visual appeal, which are critical factors in high value horticultural markets.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the plant growth regulators market show increased integration with precision agriculture and biotechnology traits to optimize crop yield and stress management. Companies are focusing on advanced formulations that enhance nutrient use efficiency, flowering control, and harvest uniformity. A key trend is the adoption of data-driven application timing using drones and smart sprayers that align PGR use with crop growth stages. Demand is growing in high-value horticulture and row crops as growers seek consistent performance.

February 2025 : Syngenta AG acquired the Novartis repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural research to bolster its biologicals and next-generation crop input capabilities. This strategic acquisition expands Syngenta’s research pipeline in biologicals which support plant health, nutrient efficiency, and sustainable crop management and enhances its ability to innovate across plant growth regulators and related biological solutions. Syngenta will also lease fermentation and science facilities from Novartis to support expanded R&D activities.
February 2025 : Syngenta Group and Ceres Biotics entered a global supply agreement to bring VIXERAN, a biological nitrogen optimizer, to farmers worldwide. This strategic partnership strengthens Syngenta’s sustainable agricultural portfolio and integrates biological solutions alongside plant growth regulators to improve nutrient efficiency and crop performance.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Plant Growth Regulators Market

As a core segment of the Agrochemicals industry, the Plant Growth Regulators market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Surge in Organic Farming and Advent of Biotech Crops have redefined priorities across the Agrochemicals sector, influencing how the Plant Growth Regulators market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Surge in Organic Farming

The accelerating shift toward organic farming is becoming a primary growth engine for the PGRs market, with this transition alone projected to contribute an additional $445 million in revenue by 2030. As growers replace traditional agrochemicals with environmentally friendly PGRs, demand is rising for bio-based inputs that align with certified organic standards and sustainable agriculture practices. Government incentives, tighter residue regulations, and escalating consumer preference for chemical-free food are reinforcing the strategic role of PGRs in improving crop productivity and quality across horticulture and field crops. This structural move toward natural plant growth solutions is not only expanding the addressable market but also repositioning leading suppliers toward higher-value, organic-compliant PGR portfolios and innovation in next-generation, low-toxicity formulations.
02

Advent of Biotech Crops

The advent of biotech crops has reshaped the PGRs market by complementing genetically engineered traits with advanced crop management inputs. While biotech seeds are designed for pest resistance and stress tolerance, growers increasingly use PGRs to fine tune plant architecture, flowering, and yield potential. For example, in herbicide tolerant soybean and corn systems, regulators are applied to manage vegetative growth and improve standability under intensive cultivation. In cotton and canola, PGRs help optimize boll retention and pod development alongside biotech traits. This transition has also influenced the seed industry, agrochemical distributors, and precision farming service providers, creating integrated crop solution packages that combine seeds, regulators, and digital advisory tools to maximize productivity.