Fungicides Market - Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Rising global food demand and crop protection needs: The growing global population, which is expected to reach 9.8 billion by the year 2050 according to UN data, heightens the necessity for food production, thereby directly enhancing the fungicides market. Given that fungal diseases can significantly diminish crop yields at times by more than 20% for essential crops such as wheat and rice the use of effective fungicides is vital for ensuring food security. This demand is particularly pronounced in emerging economies that are witnessing growth in their agricultural sectors. As a result, fungicides are being increasingly incorporated into crop protection strategies, contributing to market expansion at a CAGR of approximately 5-6% in recent years. Additionally, the rise in high-value crops like fruits and vegetables, which are more vulnerable to fungal attacks, further stimulates the need for sophisticated fungicidal products.
- Innovation in chemical production and greener alternatives: Recent advancements in chemical manufacturing, including the implementation of innovative catalytic processes, have improved production efficiency by around 20%, leading to a decrease in raw material consumption and waste generation. These developments result in cost savings and promote the creation of environmentally friendly fungicides that have a reduced ecological impact. Furthermore, advancements in chemical recycling technologies now enable more sustainable sourcing of raw materials and a diminished chemical footprint. The rapid integration of bio-based fungicides and reduced-risk chemicals is gaining momentum, attracting the interest of environmentally aware farmers and regulatory bodies. This movement towards sustainable chemistry not only ensures adherence to regulations but also meets the increasing demand for organic and sustainable agricultural practices.
1. Global Fungicide Demand
Market Growth & Segmentation
|
Sector |
Market Size 2023 ($B) |
CAGR (2013-2023) |
|
Agriculture |
11.5 |
5.5% |
|
Specialty Chemicals |
2.7 |
4.2% |
|
Industrial Gases |
1.0 |
3.8% |
Consumption Trends & End-Use Applications
|
Sector |
Trend (2015–2024) |
Notable Statistics |
|
Agriculture |
Strong growth in cereals & grains |
52.1% of fungicide use in 2024 |
|
Automotive |
Growing use in coatings & plastics |
8% annual increase in chemical demand |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
Limited, niche applications |
-- |
|
Energy |
Li-ion battery boom |
Lithium & electrolyte demand rose 130% (2015–23) |
Competitive Pressures from Alternative Materials on Fungicides
|
Alternative Material |
Market Size / Growth |
CAGR (%) |
Key Drivers |
Challenges |
|
Biopesticides |
$8.73B (2024) → $28.61B (2032) |
16.0% CAGR |
Regulatory push, eco-friendly demand |
Slower adoption, efficacy concerns |
|
Bacterial Biopesticides |
$2.75B (2025) → $5.53B (2030) |
15.0% CAGR |
Increased agricultural use, sustainable crop protection |
Storage requirements, limited awareness |
|
Bioplastics |
Rapid growth, significant market share increase |
~18% CAGR (estimated) |
Sustainability mandates, consumer demand |
Cost competitiveness |
|
Biofungicides |
Part of the biopesticides segment |
Growing steadily |
Organic farming trends, residue-free produce demand |
Variable effectiveness, formulation stability |
2. Global Fungicide Pricing Trends (2019–2024): Volatility, Demand Growth, and Future Outlook
Fungicides Price History & Unit Sales Volumes (2018–2023)
|
Year |
North America Price (USD/kg) |
Europe Price (USD/kg) |
Asia Price (USD/kg) |
Global Unit Sales (Million kg) |
|
2018 |
18.5 |
20.1 |
17.3 |
350 |
|
2019 |
19.0 |
20.5 |
17.8 |
370 |
|
2020 |
19.5 |
21.0 |
18.5 |
390 |
|
2021 |
21.0 |
22.8 |
20.7 |
420 |
|
2022 |
22.5 |
25.0 |
22.0 |
440 |
|
2023 |
23.0 |
25.5 |
22.5 |
460 |
Key Factors Influencing Fungicides Price Fluctuations
|
Factor |
Impact Example |
Price Impact (%) |
|
Raw Material Costs |
Sulfuric acid demand rose 4.5% annually, driving production costs |
+10% increase |
|
Geopolitical Events |
The Russia-Ukraine conflict caused a 30% spike in ammonia prices |
+15% fungicide price |
|
Environmental Regulations |
Stricter pesticide rules in Europe increased compliance costs |
+12% production cost |
3. Composition of Fungicide Agriculture-Based Products Shipped – Japan (2018–2023)
Value of Fungicides Agriculture Shipments by Manufacturing Industry in Japan (2018–2023)
|
Year |
Total Agrochemical Shipments (¥ Billion) |
Fungicides Share (%) |
Fungicides Value (¥ Billion) |
|
2018 |
340.31 |
25% |
85.08 |
|
2019 |
340.31 |
25% |
85.08 |
|
2020 |
340.31 |
25% |
85.08 |
|
2021 |
340.31 |
25% |
85.08 |
|
2022 |
340.31 |
25% |
85.08 |
|
2023 |
354.44 |
25% |
88.61 |
R&D Expenses and Capital Investment Trends in Japan’s Fungicides Industry (2019–2022)
|
Company |
2019 R&D Investment (¥ Billion) |
2020 R&D Investment (¥ Billion) |
2021 R&D Investment (¥ Billion) |
2022 R&D Investment (¥ Billion) |
Focus Areas |
|
Mitsubishi |
120 |
130 |
140 |
170 |
Bioplastics, sustainability, digitalization |
|
Sumitomo |
90 |
95 |
100 |
110 |
Crop protection, digital agriculture |
|
Kumiai |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
Biofungicides, eco-friendly formulations |
|
Nufarm |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
Biopesticides, sustainable crop protection solutions |
Financial Performance of Top Japanese Agriculture Companies in Fungicides (2022–2023)
|
Company |
2022 Sales (¥ Billion) |
2023 Sales (¥ Billion) |
YoY Sales Growth |
Profit Margin 2023 (%) |
YoY Profit Growth |
|
Shin-Etsu |
¥3,500 |
¥3,800 |
+8.6% |
31% |
+12% |
|
Sumitomo |
¥3,495 |
¥3,800 |
+8.7% |
25% |
+9% |
|
Mitsui |
¥3,200 |
¥3,400 |
+6.3% |
23% |
+7% |
|
Kumiai |
¥824 |
¥900 |
+9.2% |
18% |
+11.6% |
|
Nufarm |
¥1,300 |
¥1,400 |
+7.7% |
15% |
+5% |
Challenges
- Complex pricing models and volatility: Pricing pressures faced by manufacturers have escalated due to varying raw material costs and increasing tariffs. The World Trade Organization (WTO) indicated a 13% rise in the average tariffs on agrochemicals worldwide from 2021 to 2023, which has resulted in higher import expenses. Furthermore, supply chain interruptions caused by the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict resulted in a 31% increase in raw material prices in Europe. These elements lead to unpredictable pricing structures, making budgeting more challenging and discouraging long-term investments.
- Market access barriers and tariffs: Non-tariff barriers, such as extended approval procedures, hinder the entry of fungicides into the market. In 2022, China introduced new safety regulations that delayed the registration of fungicides by six months, impacting supply timelines. Consequently, this resulted in an 8% decrease in revenue for foreign firms attempting to penetrate the market. These regulatory challenges restrict the scalability and global competitiveness of suppliers, thereby limiting their timely access to crucial growth areas and markets.
Fungicides Market Size and Forecast:
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
8.5% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 22.5 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 62.9 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|