Pesticide Market

The global pesticide market is expected to see continued growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports from 2022 to 2030. Key countries like China, the United States, and India play significant roles in both production and consumption. Herbicides, disinfectants, and fungicides are the most consumed and exported product types. Average prices for pesticide exports are on the rise, with variations by product type and country of origin.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for pesticides worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 23M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $161.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pesticides

In 2022, consumption of pesticides decreased by -4.3% to 17M tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +83.1% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 18M tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

The global pesticide market revenue declined to $109B in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +70.9% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 10%. Global consumption peaked at $109.3B in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of pesticide consumption was China (3.1M tons), comprising approx. 18% of total volume. Moreover, pesticide consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.5M tons), twofold. India (1.1M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.4% share.

In China, pesticide consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.8% per year) and India (+6.7% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($14.3B), Japan ($11.7B) and China ($10.7B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 34% share of the global market. Brazil, India, Turkey, Canada, France, Indonesia, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +11.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of pesticide per capita consumption in 2022 were Turkey (13 kg per person), France (13 kg per person) and Canada (7.7 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +14.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were herbicides (5.1M tons), disinfectants (4.7M tons) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (3.1M tons), with a combined 76% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for disinfectants (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of pesticides in terms of market size were herbicides ($37.2B), insecticides ($26.3B) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments ($25.8B), with a combined 82% share of the global market. Disinfectants and hazardous and other pesticides lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

Among the main consumed products, disinfectants, with a CAGR of +10.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Pesticides

In 2022, production of pesticides decreased by -3.6% to 17M tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Overall, the total production indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +83.2% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 25%. Global production peaked at 18M tons in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, pesticide production shrank to $94.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 14%. Global production peaked at $99.8B in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Production By Country

China (5.3M tons) remains the largest pesticide producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, pesticide production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1.6M tons), threefold. India (1.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.4% share.

In China, pesticide production increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+3.2% per year) and India (+8.3% per year).

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were herbicides (5.3M tons), disinfectants (4.7M tons) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (3.1M tons), with a combined 77% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for disinfectants (with a CAGR of +10.5%), while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of pesticides in terms of market size were herbicides ($32.3B), insecticides ($23.7B) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments ($20.1B), with a combined 81% share of global production. Disinfectants and hazardous and other pesticides lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

Disinfectants, with a CAGR of +10.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main produced products over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Pesticides

Global pesticide imports reduced slightly to 6.7M tons in 2022, dropping by -2% against 2021. In general, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -5.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 7.1M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pesticide imports rose sharply to $49.3B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +56.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Brazil (669K tons), followed by France (305K tons) represented the largest importers of pesticides, together creating 14% of total imports. The following importers - the United States (298K tons), Canada (286K tons), Australia (272K tons), Germany (213K tons), Belgium (201K tons), Thailand (169K tons), Nigeria (156K tons), Italy (150K tons), Indonesia (149K tons), India (129K tons) and Poland (121K tons) - together made up 32% of total imports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the pesticides imports, with a CAGR of +12.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United States (+8.1%), Australia (+7.7%), India (+7.6%), Belgium (+7.6%), Indonesia (+7.5%), Nigeria (+4.4%), Poland (+4.0%), Italy (+3.6%), France (+3.2%), Germany (+2.3%) and Canada (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Thailand experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Brazil (+5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Canada (-1.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($7.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported pesticides worldwide, comprising 14% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($2.3B), with a 4.7% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 4.5% share.

In Brazil, pesticide imports increased at an average annual rate of +12.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+0.5% per year) and Canada (+6.5% per year).

Imports By Type

In 2022, herbicides (2.6M tons) was the main type of pesticides, constituting 39% of total imports. Disinfectants (1.2M tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (17%), insecticides (17%) and hazardous and other pesticides (9.4%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to herbicides imports of stood at +4.5%. At the same time, disinfectants (+9.1%), fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (+4.4%), insecticides (+3.8%) and hazardous and other pesticides (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, disinfectants emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +9.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of disinfectants (+6.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of insecticides (-1.7 p.p.) and hazardous and other pesticides (-2.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of imported pesticides were herbicides ($19.4B), insecticides ($12.3B) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments ($10.8B), together comprising 86% of global imports. Disinfectants and hazardous and other pesticides lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Disinfectants, with a CAGR of +9.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average pesticide import price stood at $7,319 per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import price peaked at $7,606 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was insecticides ($11,043 per ton), while the price for disinfectants ($2,970 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by insecticide (+1.6%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pesticide import price amounted to $7,319 per ton, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import price peaked at $7,606 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($13,865 per ton), while Nigeria ($4,088 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Pesticides

In 2022, overseas shipments of pesticides decreased by less than 0.1% to 6.9M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -6.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 7.3M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pesticide exports rose markedly to $50B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +68.6% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (2.2M tons) represented the key exporter of pesticides, mixing up 33% of total exports. India (644K tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (480K tons), the United States (471K tons), Belgium (411K tons) and France (342K tons). All these countries together took approx. 34% share of total exports. Spain (228K tons), the Netherlands (171K tons), the UK (167K tons), Israel (123K tons) and Italy (106K tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +9.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, India (+11.6%), Spain (+6.4%), Israel (+3.3%), Italy (+2.6%), Belgium (+2.5%), the Netherlands (+2.0%), Germany (+1.7%) and the United States (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.6% from 2012-2022. The UK and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and India increased by +12 and +4.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($11.1B) remains the largest pesticide supplier worldwide, comprising 22% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($5.5B), with an 11% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with an 11% share.

In China, pesticide exports increased at an average annual rate of +14.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+12.8% per year) and the United States (+5.3% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, herbicides (2.8M tons) represented the key type of pesticides, mixing up 41% of total exports. Disinfectants (1.2M tons) took an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (17%), insecticides (17%) and hazardous and other pesticides (7.5%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to herbicides exports of stood at +5.3%. At the same time, disinfectants (+9.3%), fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments (+4.6%) and insecticides (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, disinfectants emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +9.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, hazardous and other pesticides (-1.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Disinfectants (+6 p.p.) and herbicides (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while hazardous and other pesticides saw its share reduced by -6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, herbicides ($20.5B), insecticides ($13.2B) and fungicides, bactericides and seed treatments ($10.7B) were the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 89% of global exports. Disinfectants and hazardous and other pesticides lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

In terms of the main exported products, disinfectants, with a CAGR of +9.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average pesticide export price amounted to $7,260 per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was insecticides ($11,562 per ton), while the average price for exports of disinfectants ($2,833 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by insecticide (+1.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pesticide export price amounted to $7,260 per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($12,013 per ton), while China ($4,948 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform