Fungicides Market

Global Fungicides Market Size

The global fungicides market was valued at USD 18.97 billion in 2024, and is anticipated to reach USD 19.88 billion in 2025 from USD 28.88 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.78 % during the forecast timeline from 2025 to 2033.

This market is developing rapidly because of the increase in crop loss due to infections and rising food quality concerns of a growing population. Fungicides are a type of pesticide mainly used to kill fungi/fungal spores, which restricts the growth of crops. The use of fungicides differs based on the crop type. The active ingredients in the fungicides include mancozeb, prochloraz, chlorothalonil, propiconazole, etc. Sulfur is the most common ingredient in fungicides and is very toxic.

Current Scenario Of The Global Fungicides Market

The fungicides market continues to grow and simultaneously experiences a progressive shift toward biological crop protection products. Also, there is a rising understanding and steady development in legislation to counter the off-site environmental effects of pesticides. Still, food cultivators remain heavily reliant on pesticides to elevate crop production, maintain food security, and satisfy the requirements of an expanding human population.

Moreover, the rising popularity of bio-fungicides in European and North American countries is accelerating the market growth.

According to a study published in MDPI, around 10 per cent of fungicides contact the intended organisms, whereas 90 per cent continue to be present in the environment.

In this regard, organic agriculture represents the most sustainable solution to various ongoing crises, since it can more accurately forecast and prepare for challenging situations and make long-term equity and strength in food systems. So, the chemical fungicide’s sales dropped by 1.3 per cent each year, and the bio-fungicide category expanded at a rate of 15.6 per cent.

Additionally, the market also witnesses a high frequency of new product launches, acquisitions, and mergers. For instance, in May 2024, MASF launched a fungicide brand called Aramax Intrinsic. It is a dual-function fungicide that provides wide-range control of 26 warm- and cool- season territory and grass diseases, such as dollar spot, brown patch, large patch, and snow mold on golf course fairways.

MARKET DRIVERS

The rising need for food security for the increasing population is driving the growth of the fungicides market.

As per the latest assessments of the forecasts of the report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the current global population will surge to 8.5 billion from 7.3 billion by 2030, it will move past 9.5 billion in 2050, and over 11 billion in 2100.

Hence, the agricultural yield should be elevated to fulfill the requirements of the quickly expanding world population because agriculture is an extremely significant economic element for a sustainable and healthy society.

Increasing loss of crops due to fungal disease is another factor propelling the expansion of the market.

Production losses due to fungal infections are substantial, and the condition is believed to become worse. A more cohesive strategy is needed to protect the crops worldwide from these diseases.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Rural  Development, globally, cultivators lose between 10 per cent and 23 per cent of their yield or harvest to fungal infection every year, even after extensive application of antifungals. An extra 10 to 20 per cent is destroyed post-harvest.

Another article in Nature in May 2023, academics estimated that these numbers are anticipated to exacerbate due to global warming, and fungal infections are consistently becoming poleward. This strongly suggests that more nations are inclined to experience a high incidence of these infections damaging crop yields.

Growing funding for research and development also contributes to the expansion of the market.

The public and prominent private establishments have significantly increased the investment for developing innovative, sustainable, and biological crop protection solutions to address several key issues impacting the world.

For instance, in February 2023, Bayer reported pipeline project innovations and recently published research in a committed research and development update on the crop science division’s pipeline.

Shrinking land nd changes in farming practices are the major factors boosting the market.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

However, factors such as stringent regulatory conditions differ in countries, an increase in environmental pollution, and a shift to genetically modified seeds hamper the growth of the fungicides market.

Moreover, another key restraint for market growth is that biofungicides are usually costly in contrast to synthetic fungicides. The commercialization of biofungicides is greatly hindered by the registration systems. Particular criteria needed for the commercial application of these solutions involve product safety, production efficiency, and toxicity. Gathering this data from organizations can be highly expensive and may deter them from commercializing these. A significant hurdle in registration is that the directions or rules for biopesticide enrollment depend excessively on the standard or benchmark meant for chemical fungicides and need data that is not as easily accessible for biological ones. Toxicological and ecological risk evaluations are also expected, however, these are very costly, particularly when the market size in certain nations fails to justify the investment. Apart from the prolonged enrollment procedure, the expenditure of commercialization and the time to market also deter small- and medium-sized companies.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Planextract-based bio-fungicides for organic farming provide potential opportunities for market expansion. Plants defend themselves from disease before human intervention an active part in protecting plants. They are recognized for synthesizing a range of secondary metabolites (SMs), like phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and terpenes, that can be obtained or retrieved using traditional and unconventional methods to create bio-fungicides; extracts from plants have antifungal properties and several action mechanisms targeting these organisms. Besides these, they are regarded as non-phytotoxic and possibly effective in disease containment and prevention. They are a sustainable and financially feasible substitute for application in agriculture, as a consequence biofungicides are progressively accepted as an attractive choice to address the issues caused by synthetic fungicides. Presently, organic farming is on the rise, emphasizing the significance of making ecologically friendly substitutes for agricultural production. Moreover, unconventional techniques include Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Pulsed Electric Field Extraction (PEF), Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE), Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE), and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE). Among these, PLE has emerged as a popular method for the extraction of bioactive elements (minerals, proteins, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, different kinds of phenolic elements and antioxidants, and dietary fiber). This escalating interest is primarily because it is automated, the configuration is customized to light- and oxygen-sensitive analytes, and lower solvent consumption and extraction period. So, the fungicides market is projected to advance further.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Fungi are becoming more resilient, which challenges the growth of the market. One of the factors is the reality that fungi are exceedingly adaptable, lasting in the soil for as long as 40 years, with airborne bacteria that can move between continents. Included in this, they are highly versatile, with ‘phenomenal’ genetic variety within and between species. Modern agricultural practices involve large regions of genetically identical crops, which serve as perfect nourishing and breeding habitats for such a fertile and rapidly progressing group of organisms. Further, they are also well outfitted to develop beyond conventional means to contain their spread. The progressively extensive application of antifungal treatments that aim at a single fungal cellular procedure ways fungi can adapt to resist these fungicides, thus making them ineffective. This compels the cultivators to utilize rising levels of these solutions in a way that stops or contains infection, which can boost the speed of resistance building.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

By Type Insights

The bio fungicides segment is the fastest-growing category of the fungicides market and is expected to experience further developments during the forecast period. The harmful effects of synthetic products are the main reason behind the rising inclination towards healthier and environmentally friendly options. Moreover, the segment is also witnessing a higher concentration of new product development projects, research, and development programs.

For instance, in August 2024, ADAMA, a prominent company of crop protection solutions, reported collaboration with Elemental Enzymes, which is a US-based life science company, to launch a unique biological fungicide for the Australian market. The novel bio-fungicide is scheduled to be introduced in 2026 for spring turf and winter crops. This solves the rising issue of foliar diseases in turf, cereals, and canola applications.

Whereas the synthetic segment is expected to be operational and relevant in this market, considering the recent emergence of bio-fungicides. Northern European nations display greater use of triazole and imidazole fungicides, while southern European economies have higher applications of dithiocarbamates and carbamate-based fungicides.

By Crop Type Insights

The cereals and grains segment gained the maximum share of the fungicides market and is expected to maintain its position during the forecast period. Cereals and grains are some of the most consumed crops around the world, making the use of fungicides necessary to fulfill the rising food demand. Moreover, several countries are facing various problems due to climate change, increased spread of cereal pathogens, etc., which are escalating the demand for fungicides. Additionally, the application of tablet or smartphone-based apps also contributes to the expansion of the segment’s market size.

By Form Insights

Liquid form is the most popular segment of the fungicides market. This can be attributed to the efficacy against fungal diseases. Studies reveal that certain liquid forms can productively control the resistant force of fungal pathogens. It is essential for keeping the produce healthy. Moreover, the ease of use or quick action is another factor driving the usage of the liquid form, as it rapidly absorbs, resulting in quick disease control.

By Application Insights

The foliar spray segment captured a notable share of the fungicides market. The segment is expected to thrive in the coming years, owing to significant technological advancements.

For instance, a camera-based system was created by AgZen. It uses a two-camera system that is linked to existing spraying equipment. This development can considerably lower the amount of product consumption by 20 to 30 percent.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Europe has the largest share of the market, followed by Asia-Pacific. Europe is one of the biggest markets due to the increasing usage of fungicides, advanced agricultural techniques, and the rise in requirements for food security in European nations. Italy and France constituted the biggest nation-level markets in the European region. Besides this, the overall output produced by the European Union’s agricultural industry in 2023 was valued at 537.1 billion Euros. Over one-half of the overall output value, i.e., 5.3 percent, originated from crops (around 275.8 billion euros). Under this, cereals and vegetables, and horticulture plants were top-value crops. So, this region is a key market for fungicides, and given the rising emphasis on organic, chemical-free, and sustainability, the demand for bio-fungicides is expected to rise in the coming years.

According to Eurostat, in 2022, the fungicides and bactericides group was the best-selling kind of pesticide in the European Union. Four nations, comprising Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, captured more than two-thirds sh the total quantity of pesticides sold in the EU annually between 2011 and 2022. Approximately 322 thousand tons of pesticides were sold in 2022.

Prothioconazole and glyphosate were the most extensively used fungicides and herbicides based on basic area, with prothioconazole accounting for 5%, 7%, and 20%, respectively, of national cultivated lands of Ireland, Estonia, and Germany, and glyphosate holding 5%, 8%, and 11% of national arable areas of Ireland, Estonia, and Spain.

Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing fungicide market. China and India are two key markets in the region. The swift rise in demand in China for grains is anticipated to remain in the coming ten years, mainly as a consequence of the growing feed requirement to cultivate protein-rich food. However, the country’s agricultural produce is also affected by climate change. Hence, China is a potential market for the fungicides.

As per recent studies, the quantity of farmland impacted by crop diseases and pests in China has increased fourfold in the last 50 years. Climate change was identified to be responsible for over one-fifth of this change. It is a dire alarm for the agricultural industry across the warming world.

Another major contributor to the region's market growth is India, which holds a 15% share of the world’s agrochemical market and is the fourth-biggest producer globally. The pesticide industry has grown significantly in recent years due to rising consumption. These trends show a focus on disease management and pest control in Indian agriculture, with its applications influenced by factors like government policies, weather conditions, and pest pressure.

The data released by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage of India’s Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare revealed that in 2022-2Uttarter Pradesh was the largest user of chemical pesticides with 11824 M.T., followed by Maharashtra with 6814 M.T., and Punjab with 5130.

North America holds a major proportion of the fungicides market and is expected to grow further during the forecast period. The rising consumer food prices, climate change, and declining supply of Russian and Chinese fertilizers are projected to have contributed to the increasing use of fungicides. Moreover, the market size is expected to rise notably due to the emergence of bio-fungicides in the region.

For instance, in April 2024, Sipcam Agro USA introduced the bio-fungicide Mevalone in California.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

The key players in the market are BASF SE, Dow AgroSciences LLC, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd, Bayer CropScience AG, Syngenta AG, Nippon Soda Co. L, Ltd, Cheminova A/S, and Nufarm Ltd

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the global fungicides market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on type, crop type, application, and region. 

 By Type

• Synthetic

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Triazoles
  • Chloronitriles
  • Phenylamides
  • Strobilurins
  • Dithiocarbamates
  • others
• Bio fungicides

By Crop Type

• Fruits and vegetables
• Oilseeds
• Pulses
• Cereals and Grains
• Others

 By Form

• Liquid
• Wettable powder
• Water dispersible powder

By Application

• Soil treatment
• Post-harvest
• Foliar spray
• Seed treatment
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa