Agricultural Surfactants Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 2.04 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 2.82 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.70 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Agricultural Surfactants Market Analysis
The Agricultural Surfactant Market size is estimated at USD 2.04 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 2.82 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Agricultural surfactants are primarily used in water-based herbicide spray solutions to enhance their emulsifying, dispersing, spreading, wetting, or other surface-modifying properties. These additives are crucial in herbicide treatments, improving spray droplet retention and the penetration of active ingredients into plant foliage. The use of agricultural surfactants has grown significantly due to the increasing demand for food production to support the growing global population. According to Harvard Business Review projections, the world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, with food demand estimated to increase by 70% during the same period. As a result, farmers are increasingly adopting agricultural surfactants to improve crop yield and meet this rising demand.
Traditional surfactants, typically derived from petrochemical sources, have raised environmental concerns and faced regulatory challenges. In 2023, the European Commission proposed an update to the EU framework on surfactants for food safety and environmental sustainability. This has led to a growing demand for bio-based, biodegradable, and eco-friendly surfactants as more sustainable alternatives. These surfactants are derived from renewable sources, such as plant-based materials or agricultural byproducts, and are designed to be readily biodegradable, minimizing their environmental impact. The shift towards sustainable surfactant solutions has spurred innovation within the industry, with manufacturers developing products that meet agricultural performance requirements while aligning with environmental stewardship goals.
Agricultural Surfactants Market Trends
Grains and Cereals Dominates the Market
Grains and cereals, such as wheat, rice, maize, and barley, are among the most widely cultivated crops worldwide. They serve as staple foods for a significant portion of the global population and necessitate large-scale production. This large cultivation translates into a significant need for agricultural surfactants to enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and facilitate the efficient application of crop protection products. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2023, wheat was cultivated on over 219.1 million hectares of land globally, while maize occupied around 203.4 million hectares, and rice covered approximately 165.1 million hectares. These staggering figures highlight the immense scale of grain and cereal production, necessitating the extensive use of agricultural surfactants.
Moreover, the global population is increasing exponentially, and every day, nearly 200,000 people are being added to the world's food demand. According to the United Nations, the world's human population increased nearly fourfold in the past 100 years. Supplying grains and cereals to this growing population has become a global threat. Moreover, various crop pests are causing 10-16% of global crop losses annually, worsening the scenario. Therefore, farmers are adopting crop protection as the key strategy to meet the growing demand for grains and cereals globally.
The shrinking of arable land for grains and cereals has also driven the need for sustainable agricultural practices, such as conservation tillage and no-till farming. Agricultural surfactants play a crucial role in these practices by enabling the effective application and absorption of agrochemicals without the need for excessive soil disturbance.
North America Dominates the Market
North America holds one the largest part of the agricultural surfactant market. The region is estimated to grow steadily during the forecast period, especially with the various government initiatives to increase yield and maintain a continuous supply of raw materials for the food, feed, and biofuel industries. Major factors driving the growth are the increasing usage of bio-surfactants and the abundant availability of raw materials.
The United States dominated the market across the region due to the presence of large-scale commercial agricultural operations has created a significant demand for efficient and effective agrochemical formulations, which in turn has driven the need for compatible surfactants. Additionally, the United States farmers have high purchasing power and willingness to invest in advanced agricultural inputs contributing to the high usage of surfactants. For instance, the United States farm median income was more than USD 178,692 in 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, allowing for significant investment in crop protection products. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable farming practices in the country, driven by concerns over environmental impact, soil health, and long-term agricultural productivity. As a result, the demand for bio surfactants is growing significantly to minimize the environmental impact and promote soil health.
Agricultural Surfactants Industry Overview
The market for agricultural surfactants is fragmented. The key players in the market have been following strategies to explore new regions through acquisitions, new product launches, expansions and investments, agreements, partnerships, collaborations, and joint ventures. Investment in R&D is another strategy adopted by market leaders. Some of the major players in the market are Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, Solvay SA, Akzo Nobel N.V., and Kao Corporation.
Agricultural Surfactants Market Leaders
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Evonik Industries AG
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BASF SE
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Solvay SA
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Akzo Nobel N.V.
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Nufarm Limited
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Agricultural Surfactants Market News
- January 2023: Nouryon acquired ADOB, a leading supplier of chelated micronutrients, foliars, and other specialty agricultural solutions based in Poland. This acquisition enables Nouryon to broaden its services and product offerings in the Agriculture & Food industry. The transaction includes the transfer of all business operations to Nouryon, including two manufacturing sites located in Poznan and Wroclaw, Poland.
- October 2022: BASF and South Korea’s Hannong Chemicals partnered to establish a production joint venture to manufacture non-ionic surfactant products. The proposed joint venture will merge BASF’s product innovation capabilities with Hannong’s efficient production and will cater to the increasing demand for non-ionic surfactants in Asia Pacific.
- February 2022: Clariant introduced Vita, its newest product line featuring 100% bio-based surfactants and polyethylene glycols. Designed for natural formulations with a focus on achieving a high Renewable Carbon Index (RCI), Vita allows manufacturers to maximize bio-based carbon content in crop formulations.
Agricultural Surfactant Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 Increasing Demand for Agrochemicals to Boost Crop Yield
4.2.2 Technological Advancements in Agricultural Practices
4.2.3 Rising Focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Eco-Friendly Solutions
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 High Production Costs of Bio-based Surfactants
4.3.2 Stringent Environmental Regulations on Chemical Use
4.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
5.1 Type
5.1.1 Anionic
5.1.2 Nonionic
5.1.3 Cationic
5.1.4 Amphoteric
5.1.5 Oil- Based Surfactants
5.2 Application
5.2.1 Insecticide
5.2.2 Herbicide
5.2.3 Fungicide
5.2.4 Other Applications
5.3 Substrate
5.3.1 Synthetic
5.3.2 Bio-based
5.4 Crop Application
5.4.1 Crop-based
5.4.1.1 Grains and Cereals
5.4.1.2 Oilseeds
5.4.1.3 Fruits and Vegetables
5.4.2 Non-crop-based
5.4.2.1 Turf and Ornamental Grass
5.4.2.2 Other Crop Applications
5.5 Geography
5.5.1 North America
5.5.1.1 United States
5.5.1.2 Canada
5.5.1.3 Mexico
5.5.1.4 Rest of North America
5.5.2 Europe
5.5.2.1 Germany
5.5.2.2 United Kingdom
5.5.2.3 France
5.5.2.4 Spain
5.5.2.5 Italy
5.5.2.6 Russia
5.5.2.7 Rest of Europe
5.5.3 Asia-Pacific
5.5.3.1 China
5.5.3.2 Japan
5.5.3.3 India
5.5.3.4 Australia
5.5.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.5.4 South America
5.5.4.1 Brazil
5.5.4.2 Argentina
5.5.4.3 Rest of South America
5.5.5 Middle-East and Africa
5.5.5.1 South Africa
5.5.5.2 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
6.2 Market Share Analysis
6.3 Company Profiles
6.3.1 Akzo Nobel N.V.
6.3.2 Evonik Industries
6.3.3 BASF SE
6.3.4 Nouryon
6.3.5 Solvay SA
6.3.6 Wilbur-Ellis Company
6.3.7 Croda International PLC
6.3.8 Canopus International
6.3.9 Nufarm Limited
6.3.10 Marubeni Corporation
6.3.11 Air Products and Chemicals
6.3.12 Kao Corporation
6.3.13 Clariant
6.3.14 Lamberti SPA
6.3.15 Brandt Consolidated Inc.
6.3.16 Bionema Limited
6.3.17 Zhejiang Transfar (Tanatex Chemicals)
6.3.18 Garrco Products Inc.
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Agricultural Surfactants Industry Segmentation
A surfactant can be defined as a substance that reduces the surface tension of the liquid in which it is dissolved. The report considers the end users that procure surfactants for exclusive application in agricultural production. These end users include farmers and institutional buyers operating in agriculture and allied production. The report covers Global Agricultural Surfactants Industry Insights and is segmented by Type (Anionic, Nonionic, Cationic, and Amphoteric), Application (Insecticide, Herbicide, Fungicide, and Other Applications), Crop Application (Crop-based and Non-crop-based), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa). The report offers the market size and forecasts for volume in (metric tons) and value in (USD) for all the above segments.
| Type | |
| Anionic | |
| Nonionic | |
| Cationic | |
| Amphoteric | |
| Oil- Based Surfactants |
| Application | |
| Insecticide | |
| Herbicide | |
| Fungicide | |
| Other Applications |
| Substrate | |
| Synthetic | |
| Bio-based |
| Crop Application | |||||
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| Geography | |||||||||
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Agricultural Surfactant Market Research Faqs
How big is the Agricultural Surfactant Market?
The Agricultural Surfactant Market size is expected to reach USD 2.04 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6.70% to reach USD 2.82 billion by 2029.
What is the current Agricultural Surfactant Market size?
In 2024, the Agricultural Surfactant Market size is expected to reach USD 2.04 billion.
Who are the key players in Agricultural Surfactant Market?
Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, Solvay SA, Akzo Nobel N.V. and Nufarm Limited are the major companies operating in the Agricultural Surfactant Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Agricultural Surfactant Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Agricultural Surfactant Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Agricultural Surfactant Market.
What years does this Agricultural Surfactant Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Agricultural Surfactant Market size was estimated at USD 1.90 billion. The report covers the Agricultural Surfactant Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Agricultural Surfactant Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Agricultural Surfactant Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Agricultural Surfactants market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Agricultural Surfactants analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
