Market Overview
| Study Period | 2018 - 2031 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2025 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2026 - 2031 |
| Market Size (2026) | USD 1.62 Billion |
| Market Size (2031) | USD 1.89 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2026 - 2031) | 3.12% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. | |
Africa Crop Protection Chemicals Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Africa crop protection chemicals market is expected to grow from USD 1.57 billion in 2025 to USD 1.62 billion in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.89 billion by 2031 at 3.12% CAGR over 2026-2031. Current growth rests on mounting climate pressures that increase pest outbreaks, rising government input subsidies, improving mobile fintech access for smallholders, and steady commercialization of farming in Southern and Eastern corridors. Intensifying fall armyworm damage, supply-chain digitization, and biotechnology approvals are reshaping product mix toward premium, more selective actives. Meanwhile, fragmented national regulations and shipping cost volatility raise cost-to-serve, prompting suppliers to pursue regional manufacturing and partner-led distribution models. Competitive intensity remains moderate, leaving room for local specialists to tackle counterfeit mitigation, biologics integration, and last-mile advisory gaps.
Key Report Takeaways
- By Function, insecticides led with 39.50% of the Africa crop protection chemicals market share in 2025, and herbicides exhibit the fastest 3.55% CAGR during 2026-2031.
- By Application mode, foliar products captured a 50.10% share of the Africa crop protection chemicals market size in 2025, and soil treatment advances at a 3.48% CAGR through 2031.
- By Crop type, grains and cereals held a 42.70% share of the Africa crop protection chemicals market size in 2025, while pulses and oilseeds are expanding at a 3.38% CAGR to 2031.
- By Geography, South Africa accounted for 13.25% of the Africa crop protection chemicals market share in 2025, and is forecasted to post the highest 3.92% CAGR through 2031.
Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026.
Africa Crop Protection Chemicals Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escalating pest pressure from climate-change-driven outbreaks | +0.8% | East and West Africa hot spots | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Government subsidies for input intensification programs | +0.6% | Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Ethiopia | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Rapid adoption of herbicide-tolerant crop varieties | +0.5% | South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Expansion of commercial farming clusters | +0.4% | Southern Africa and Ethiopian-Kenyan corridors | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| EU maximum residue limit revisions moving exporters to premium actives | +0.3% | South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Mobile agro-input fintech platforms improving access | +0.2% | Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Escalating pest pressure from climate-change-driven outbreaks
Climate variability is expanding pest ranges and reproductive cycles. Fall armyworm alone destroys up to 20 million metric tons of maize annually, equal to feeding 100 million people.[1]Source: Kristine Grace Tome, Clement Dionglay, and Janine Cyren Escasura, “Countries Approving GM Crop Cultivation,” ISAAA Science Speaks, isaaa.org Farmers respond with frequent foliar sprays and premium systemic insecticides. Desert locust resurgence in East Africa magnifies seasonal volatility. Limited biological control infrastructure elevates demand for selective chemistries that align with integrated pest management mandates. Temperature increases shorten life cycles, tightening spray windows and driving investments in predictive scouting tools and precision nozzles that minimize off-target drift.
Government subsidies for input intensification programs
Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and Kenya’s subsidized fertilizer initiatives bundle pesticides with seed and fertilizer, creating assured volumes for suppliers. Voucher and e-wallet payments lower credit risk, spur distributor expansion, and stimulate early-season stocking. Fiscal constraints and donor dependency create start-stop purchasing patterns, yet still inject sizable short-term demand spikes. Programs pairing subsidies with extension advice record higher repayment rates, reinforcing yield gains that justify repeat chemical purchases. Suppliers that pre-register products within government procurement lists secure preferential access to these large-volume channels.
Rapid adoption of herbicide-tolerant crop varieties
Approvals of TELA maize and genetically modified cowpea are fueling wider interest in herbicide-tolerant (HT) traits. HT crops shift budgets from insecticides to herbicides, particularly glyphosate and emerging stacked-mode formulations that address resistant weed biotypes. Fragmented biotechnology regulations require suppliers to maintain country-specific stewardship programs and coexistence guidelines. Early adopters report labor savings and reduced mechanical weeding, which strengthens commercial farm margins and reinforces herbicide demand. Seed companies collaborate with agrochemical majors to offer seed-and-spray packages that lock in trait-compatible herbicides.
Expansion of commercial farming clusters
Private equity and development finance institutions back large-scale row-crop projects in Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. Mechanization and satellite-guided application enable higher per-acre pesticide spending, particularly for residual herbicides and seed treatments that align with conservation tillage. Cluster-based logistics consolidate demand into hub stores, reducing distribution costs for suppliers. Land tenure reforms in Kenya and Ghana further encourage consolidation, though intermittent political uncertainty can stall land deals. Precision agriculture service providers partner with input firms to bundle scouting drones, decision dashboards, and variable-rate prescriptions.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stringent regional bans on high-toxicity actives | -0.4% | Kenya and South Africa | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Accelerating pest and weed resistance | -0.3% | Intensive zones continent-wide | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Proliferation of counterfeit pesticides | -0.2% | Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Red Sea and Suez shipping volatility inflating costs | -0.2% | All import-dependent nations | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Stringent regional bans on high-toxicity actives
Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority seized Kenya Shilling (KES) 3.4 million (USD 26,000) of illegal agrochemicals in 2024.[2]Source: Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Authority, “Enforcement Actions Against Counterfeit Agrochemicals,” kenyaca.org South Africa’s regulator now requires expanded environmental assessments, lengthening new registration timelines by up to 18 months. The Economic Community of West African States pesticide harmonization draft plans to phase out over 30 active ingredients. Reformulation increases research costs and reduces portfolios, particularly for small molecules targeting niche pests. Transition gaps risk yield losses if low-toxicity alternatives are not readily available or affordable.
Proliferation of counterfeit pesticides
World Health Organization guidance highlights expanding online sales of fake pesticides that mimic packaging yet contain sub-therapeutic actives.[3]Source: World Health Organization, “Combating Online Sales of Counterfeit Pesticides,” who.int Counterfeits erode brand equity and reduce trust in genuine technologies. Porous borders allow inflows from informal manufacturing hubs. Industry alliances with customs and telecom operators are trialing SMS-based verification codes for authenticity. Yet enforcement budgets remain thin and prosecution rates low, keeping gray-market risk elevated.
Segment Analysis
By Function: Insecticides anchor demand while herbicides accelerate
In 2025, insecticides secured 39.50% of the Africa crop protection chemicals market share due to acute fall armyworm infestations that imperil maize and sorghum in West and East Africa. The Africa crop protection chemicals market size for insecticides is projected to rise steadily but cede relative share as genetically modified insect-resistant crops diffuse. Herbicides enjoy the fastest 3.55% CAGR through 2031, underpinned by commercial farms adopting reduced-tillage and herbicide-tolerant cultivars. Fungicides remain vital in export-oriented horticulture where maximum residue limit compliance dictates precise scheduling and premium actives. Niche segments such as nematicides gain traction in root and tuber production hotspots where yield losses from nematodes approach 12%.
Biotechnology triggers a nuanced shift rather than outright substitution. TELA maize approval cuts insecticide sprays by up to three rounds each season, yet fosters higher herbicide usage to protect more uniform stands. Suppliers respond with combo packs that integrate pre-emergence herbicides and biological seed coatings. Investment in digital scouting platforms enables threshold-based insecticide applications, aligning with stewardship guidelines. Ultimately, the portfolio mix evolves toward molecules with dual or multiple modes of action that delay resistance and comply with future regulatory standards.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By Application Mode: Foliar sprays remain dominant yet soil treatments rise
Foliar products captured a 50.10% share in 2025 as smallholders rely on easy-to-use knapsack sprayers for fast pest knockdown. The Africa crop protection chemicals market size realized through foliar routes will grow moderately, with new wettable granule and ultra-low-volume formulations reducing water needs. Soil treatments expand at a 3.48% CAGR as commercial farms adopt in-furrow nematicides and residual herbicides that synchronize with mechanized planters. Seed treatment adoption gains momentum where certified seed systems mature, offering in-seed pest protection that lowers labor and environmental exposure.
Investment in chemigation systems, though limited to irrigated estates, is climbing due to water-use efficiency mandates. Training gaps persist; thus, extension partners run spray calibration clinics and drone demonstrations that showcase efficiency gains, gradually nudging application mode diversification beyond traditional foliar approaches.
By Crop Type: Grains lead volume, pulses and oilseeds post faster gains
Grains and cereals delivered 42.70% of 2025 revenues, reflecting staple crop predominance under national food security agendas. The Africa crop protection chemicals market share for grains stays highest through 2031 despite incremental biotech penetration that tempers insecticide needs. Pulse and oilseed fields register a 3.38% CAGR as soybeans, groundnuts, and cowpeas capture export and domestic feed compound demand. Genetically modified pod-borer-resistant cowpea cuts insecticide sprays by 60%, encouraging area expansion and integrated weed management reliant on herbicides.
Commercial crops such as cotton regain momentum after Burkina Faso reinstated Bacillus thuringiensis hybrids, boosting insecticide seed treatment demand that supports early stand vigor. Horticulture growers that supply the European Union maintain regimented spray schedules leveraging low-dose contact fungicides and sulfur alternatives to meet strict residue caps. Turf and ornamental usage, though small, benefits from urban landscaping budgets in Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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Geography Analysis
South Africa commanded 13.25% of revenue in 2025. South Africa presents a mature, technology-intensive ecosystem with precision agriculture penetration above 30% among commercial farmers. South Africa is anticipated to grow as citrus and grape exporters adopt ultra-low-dose systemic fungicides to secure European Union market access. Domestic manufacturers operate toll formulation plants that supply neighboring countries, leveraging the Southern African Development Community duty framework. Tightening toxicology reviews lengthens active ingredient renewals, prompting local players to prioritize biologicals and pheromone-based monitoring tools.
Nigeria leads pesticide consumption in the rest of Africa thanks to subsidy vouchers, mobile wallet adoption, and pent-up demand in maize and rice belts. Kenya benefits from relaxed biotechnology restrictions and strong floriculture exports that drive premium active uptake. Ghana demonstrates policy alignment through fast-tracked approvals of genetically modified seed traits, positioning it as an early adopter of aligned crop-chemical packages. Yet this vast region grapples with porous borders that enable counterfeit flows, fragmented state-level regulations, and limited domestic formulation capacity, which raises reliance on imports subject to shipping shocks.
Regional harmonization remains uneven. East African Community and Economic Community of West African States both draft pesticide regulatory alignment, yet full implementation lags because of capacity constraints. Climate risk varies; Horn of Africa droughts suppress fungal disease prevalence yet raise mite outbreaks, while humid Gulf of Guinea states face heightened black pod disease in cocoa. Mobile fintech advances level the playing field, allowing suppliers in landlocked Uganda and Rwanda to reach smallholders directly through app-based credit schemes.
Competitive Landscape
Top players Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, and FMC jointly held a significant share of 2024 revenue, reflecting moderate concentration that leaves strategic openings for other key players, including United Phosphorus Limited (UPL), Nufarm, and Sumitomo Chemical. Multinationals deploy global discovery pipelines to register new-to-Africa molecules, often in pre-mixed or micro-encapsulated forms that enhance worker safety. Local distributors collaborate on field trials and stewardship campaigns to secure label expansions. Growth strategies emphasize digital agronomy tools; for example, Bayer’s Climate FieldView platform partnered with Kenyan telecom firms to integrate satellite pest alerts into smallholder advisory services.
Product innovation now centers on formulation advances such as micro-encapsulated suspensions, oil dispersions, and water-dispersible granules that improve rain-fastness, curb drift, and extend residual control. Suppliers are pairing these higher-performance chemistries with digital agronomy services; Bayer’s Climate FieldView and Syngenta’s Cropwise platforms merge satellite imagery with pest-pressure models to optimize spray timing and dose accuracy. Anti-counterfeit initiatives have also intensified, with QR-code authentication and tamper-evident seals deployed across flagship brands in Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana to safeguard product integrity. In parallel, multinationals are expanding toll-manufacturing and repacking partnerships in South Africa and Egypt to shorten lead times, localize pack sizes, and buffer freight-rate volatility. Together, these moves reinforce competitive moats while aligning portfolios with evolving regulatory and stewardship expectations.
Mergers and acquisitions are selective. Sumitomo Chemical’s 2025 minority stake in a Nigerian formulation startup secures low-cost local blending to offset shipping volatility. UPL invests in a Kenyan drone-spraying service provider to promote aerial application of its pre-emergent herbicides. Private equity interest targets last-mile digitizers that aggregate smallholder orders and provide embedded credit, creating co-marketing channels for active ingredient owners.
Africa Crop Protection Chemicals Industry Leaders
BASF SE
Bayer AG
Corteva Agriscience
FMC Corporation
Syngenta Group
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- August 2025: BASF South Africa has introduced a new fungicide called Revytek, designed to improve maize disease management. The product offers effective control of major fungal pathogens, enabling farmers to enhance crop health and yields.
- September 2024: BASF Zambia introduced Cimegra SC, an insecticide designed to combat fall armyworm, a significant pest affecting maize crops. The product incorporates a new active ingredient that ensures effective and durable protection while minimizing the risk of resistance development. This initiative helps farmers achieve higher yields and contributes to Zambia's food security through sustainable crop protection measures.
- April 2024: Syngenta unveiled Pergado Ultra, a new fungicide innovation for disease control in crops. It offers enhanced protection against downy mildew and other fungal diseases, aiming to improve crop yields and resilience in Africa.
Africa Crop Protection Chemicals Market Report Scope
The Africa Crop Protection Chemicals Market Report is Segmented by Function (Fungicide, Herbicide, Insecticide, and More), Application Mode (Chemigation, Foliar, Fumigation, and More), Crop Type (Commercial Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Grains and Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds, andTurf and Ornamental), and Geography (South Africa, Rest of Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Metric Tons).
Function
| Fungicide |
| Herbicide |
| Insecticide |
| Molluscicide |
| Nematicide |
Application Mode
| Chemigation |
| Foliar |
| Fumigation |
| Seed Treatment |
| Soil Treatment |
Crop Type
| Commercial Crops |
| Fruits and Vegetables |
| Grains and Cereals |
| Pulses and Oilseeds |
| Turf and Ornamental |
Country
| South Africa |
| Rest of Africa |
| Function | Fungicide |
| Herbicide | |
| Insecticide | |
| Molluscicide | |
| Nematicide | |
| Application Mode | Chemigation |
| Foliar | |
| Fumigation | |
| Seed Treatment | |
| Soil Treatment | |
| Crop Type | Commercial Crops |
| Fruits and Vegetables | |
| Grains and Cereals | |
| Pulses and Oilseeds | |
| Turf and Ornamental | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Rest of Africa |
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Market Definition
- Function - Crop Protection Chemicals are apllied to control or prevent pests, including insects, fungi, weeds, nematodes, and mollusks, from damaging the crop and to protect the crop yield.
- Application Mode - Foliar, Seed Treatment, Soil Treatment, Chemigation, and Fumigation are the different type of application modes through which crop protection chemicals are applied to the crops.
- Crop Type - This represents the consumption of crop protection chemicals by Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fruits, Vegetables, Turf, and Ornamental crops.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| IWM | Integrated weed management (IWM) is an approach to incorporate multiple weed control techniques throughout the growing season to give producers the best opportunity to control problematic weeds. |
| Host | Hosts are the plants that form relationships with beneficial microorganisms and help them colonize. |
| Pathogen | A disease-causing organism. |
| Herbigation | Herbigation is an effective method of applying herbicides through irrigation systems. |
| Maximum residue levels (MRL) | Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is the maximum allowed limit of pesticide residue in food or feed obtained from plants and animals. |
| IoT | The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud. |
| Herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) | Herbicide-tolerant varieties are plant species that have been genetically engineered to be resistant to herbicides used on crops. |
| Chemigation | Chemigation is a method of applying pesticides to crops through an irrigation system. |
| Crop Protection | Crop protection is a method of protecting crop yields from different pests, including insects, weeds, plant diseases, and others that cause damage to agricultural crops. |
| Seed Treatment | Seed treatment helps to disinfect seeds or seedlings from seed-borne or soil-borne pests. Crop protection chemicals, such as fungicides, insecticides, or nematicides, are commonly used for seed treatment. |
| Fumigation | Fumigation is the application of crop protection chemicals in gaseous form to control pests. |
| Bait | A bait is a food or other material used to lure a pest and kill it through various methods, including poisoning. |
| Contact Fungicide | Contact pesticides prevent crop contamination and combat fungal pathogens. They act on pests (fungi) only when they come in contact with the pests. |
| Systemic Fungicide | A systemic fungicide is a compound taken up by a plant and then translocated within the plant, thus protecting the plant from attack by pathogens. |
| Mass Drug Administration (MDA) | Mass drug administration is the strategy to control or eliminate many neglected tropical diseases. |
| Mollusks | Mollusks are pests that feed on crops, causing crop damage and yield loss. Mollusks include octopi, squid, snails, and slugs. |
| Pre-emergence Herbicide | Preemergence herbicides are a form of chemical weed control that prevents germinated weed seedlings from becoming established. |
| Post-emergence Herbicide | Postemergence herbicides are applied to the agricultural field to control weeds after emergence (germination) of seeds or seedlings. |
| Active Ingredients | Active ingredients are the chemicals in pesticide products that kill, control, or repel pests. |
| United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | The Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues. |
| Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) | The WSSA, a non-profit professional society, promotes research, education, and extension outreach activities related to weeds. |
| Suspension concentrate | Suspension concentrate (SC) is one of the formulations of crop protection chemicals with solid active ingredients dispersed in water. |
| Wettable powder | A wettable powder (WP) is a powder formulation that forms a suspension when mixed with water prior to spraying. |
| Emulsifiable concentrate | Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) is a concentrated liquid formulation of pesticide that needs to be diluted with water to create a spray solution. |
| Plant-parasitic nematodes | Parasitic Nematodes feed on the roots of crops, causing damage to the roots. These damages allow for easy plant infestation by soil-borne pathogens, which results in crop or yield loss. |
| Australian Weeds Strategy (AWS) | The Australian Weeds Strategy, owned by the Environment and Invasives Committee, provides national guidance on weed management. |
| Weed Science Society of Japan (WSSJ) | WSSJ aims to contribute to the prevention of weed damage and the utilization of weed value by providing the chance for research presentation and information exchange. |
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Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
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