China Biostimulants Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

China Biostimulants Market Analysis

The China Biostimulants Market size is estimated at 242.6 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 430.7 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.16% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The Chinese biostimulants market demonstrates a diverse product portfolio comprising various active ingredients, with humic substances emerging as the dominant component, accounting for 25.2% of the market value in 2022. The market structure reflects a growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, with manufacturers focusing on developing bio-based alternatives to conventional fertilizers. The industry landscape is characterized by a mix of established players and innovative startups, all competing to develop more effective and environmentally friendly solutions. The market's evolution is being shaped by increasing research and development activities, particularly in areas such as seaweed biostimulants and amino acid-based formulations.

Consumer preferences in China's agricultural sector are undergoing a significant transformation, with approximately 73% of Chinese consumers expressing a willingness to pay premium prices for organic food products. This shift in consumer behavior has catalyzed the development of more sophisticated plant biostimulants solutions, particularly in the amino acids segment, which represented 24.2% of the total market value in 2022. The industry is witnessing a notable trend toward customized solutions for specific crop types and growing conditions. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on developing products that can address multiple plant stress factors while improving overall crop yield and quality.

Technological advancements in extraction and formulation processes are driving innovation in the biostimulants sector. Seaweed extracts, accounting for 11.3% of the market in 2022, are experiencing rapid growth due to their circular and sustainable production methods. Companies are investing in research and development to enhance the efficacy of their products through improved delivery systems and application methods. The industry is seeing a surge in patent applications for novel formulations and extraction techniques, particularly in the areas of humic acid and amino acid-based products. These innovations are focused on improving product stability, bioavailability, and ease of application.

The competitive landscape is evolving through strategic partnerships and product innovations. In January 2021, Atlántica Agrícola developed Micomix, an innovative biostimulant composed of mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria, demonstrating the industry's commitment to advanced solutions. Companies are increasingly focusing on developing integrated product portfolios that can address multiple crop needs simultaneously. The market is witnessing a trend toward consolidation, with larger companies acquiring smaller, innovative players to expand their technological capabilities and market reach. This dynamic environment is fostering the development of more effective and sustainable agricultural biologicals solutions, driving the industry toward more sophisticated and environmentally conscious practices.

China Biostimulants Market Trends

Country’s zero growth in pesticides use and increasing exports under organic products driving the organic cultivation.

• According to the latest reports by FiBL and the IFOAM, the market for organic food in China is growing at an annual rate of 25.0%. The shift from conventional to organic is a transformation toward a more sustainable food system within China, given the USD 2.91 billion of agri-food commodities exported from China each year.
• The size of organic farmland increased rapidly in China because more people started buying organic products due to increased incomes and the increasing importance of food safety. In the last three years, China's organic planting area increased by 10%, reaching 2.4 million ha in 2020. In addition, national policies have been adopted to promote organic production, advocating the slogans that state, ″lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets″ and ″green development".
• Organic farming in China is majorly export-oriented. The products that are both exported and imported include cereals, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables. China's three northeastern provinces (Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang) support the largest organic production nationally in terms of output, volume, and area. Most organic farms located in the northern part of China (e.g., Shandong and Liaoning) supply organic vegetables and fruits to nearby cities. In addition, they export some products to Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States.
• With the increasing concerns of soil toxicity due to the overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that lead to soil contamination, the demand for sustainable agriculture practices and organic food production is on the rise in China. This moderately slow yet increasing shift in cultivation practices has also subsequently increased the demand for crop nutrition and protection products.

The growing demand for organic products, approximately 73% of Chinese consumers are willing to have organic food

• China's organic food market is developing rapidly, and the potential demand for organic food among Chinese consumers is enormous. This is due to the growth of the wealthier middle classes and a greater awareness of the health implications. In 2021, organic food sales in China amounted to about USD 77.54 billion.
• Due to various government laws that favor organic food over food safety and customer preferences for organic food over conventional food, the demand for organic food items has considerably expanded. While prices of organic vegetables in China range from 3 to 15 times the cost of conventional produce, prices for organic vegetables are generally between 5 and 10 times that of their conventional counterparts. However, despite the price factor being a barrier, wealthy families and individuals with health problems are eager to increase their budget, with approximately 73% of Chinese consumers willing to pay extra for organic foods.
• The Chinese government is slowly aiming to become self-reliant in the organic food sector. For instance, the economy is slowly moving toward a green agriculture practice by encouraging farmers to scale back the use of chemical fertilizers and switch to bio-based alternatives. The China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) research in 2020 declared that organic awareness among the Chinese population in developed cities was at 83% when it came to an understanding of the concept of sustainable food production. Although China's organic food sector is still quite small and falls far short of satisfying domestic and international consumer demand, it can be stated that organic food in China has enormous potential in both the domestic and foreign markets, considering the rise in domestic sales by 4.01% in 2021.

Segment Analysis: Form

Humic Acid Segment in China Biostimulants Market

Humic acid maintains its position as the dominant segment in the Chinese biostimulants market, commanding approximately 26% of the total market value in 2024. This segment's leadership is primarily attributed to humic substances' role as the largest constituent of soil organic matter, accounting for up to 60% of soil composition. The segment's prominence is further strengthened by its versatile applications across various crops, particularly in enhancing root, leaf, and shoot growth while stimulating seed germination. Humic acid has shown remarkable effectiveness in improving the root systems of major crops like soybean, wheat, rice, and maize, as well as vegetable crops such as potato, tomato, cucumber, and pepper. Its extensive use in greenhouse cultivation and its ability to increase overall soil fertility while reducing water requirements for crop growth have solidified its position as the market leader in China's biostimulants sector.

Amino Acids Segment in China Biostimulants Market

The amino acids segment is experiencing the most rapid growth in the Chinese biostimulants market, projected to expand at approximately 14% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This remarkable growth trajectory is driven by amino acids' crucial role in enhancing plant productivity, particularly under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The segment's expansion is further supported by the increasing adoption of sustainable and organic agriculture practices across China. Amino acids' effectiveness as biostimulants is particularly evident in their ability to improve plant energy utilization, increase crop yields, and minimize plant pressure. Their compatibility with organic farming practices and proven efficacy in enhancing plant growth and production have made them increasingly popular among Chinese farmers. The segment's growth is also bolstered by the rising demand for sustainable agricultural solutions and the increasing awareness of the benefits of amino acid-based biostimulants in modern farming practices.

Remaining Segments in Form Segmentation

The Chinese biostimulants market encompasses several other significant segments, including fulvic acid, seaweed biostimulants, protein hydrolysates, and other specialized biostimulants. Seaweed extracts have gained considerable traction due to their sustainable sourcing and ability to be prepared in a circular manner, while fulvic acids are valued for their superior ability to transfer vital nutrients through plant cell membranes. Protein hydrolysates, derived from plant or animal by-products, have shown promising results in improving crop productivity and product quality, particularly in horticultural applications. The remaining specialized biostimulants, including microbial biostimulants, botanical extracts, chitosans, and plant hormones, continue to play crucial roles in addressing specific crop needs and environmental conditions, contributing to the overall diversity and effectiveness of the biostimulants market in China.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Row Crops Segment in China Biostimulants Market

Row crops dominate the Chinese biostimulants market, accounting for approximately 82% of the total market value in 2024. The major row crops produced in the country include rice, barley, corn, millet, oats, sorghum, wheat, cottonseed, peanuts, rapeseed, soybeans, and sunflowers. The segment's dominance is primarily attributed to the region's large organic cultivation area, which accounts for a significant portion of the total organic crop area. Among the biostimulants used, humic acids are the most consumed by row crops, followed by amino acids, which play important roles in enhancing plant productivity, especially under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The market is further driven by factors like the need for increased grain yield for row crops, especially in organic farms, and the increasing demand for organic food products.

Cash Crops Segment in China Biostimulants Market

The cash crops segment is projected to witness the fastest growth in the Chinese biostimulants market from 2024 to 2029. The major cash crops grown in China include sugarcane, tea, cotton, and tobacco. The production of these crops is majorly limited by abiotic stresses like extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity, which can be mitigated by applying suitable biostimulants. Humic acid is the most consumed biostimulant type by cash crops, followed by amino acids. The growing demand for organic products, advancement of the agriculture industry, increasing use of bio-based resources in farming, and supportive government policies are the key factors driving the growth of biostimulants in cash crops cultivation.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The horticultural crops segment plays a significant role in the Chinese biostimulants market. The major horticulture crops grown in China include apples, pears, peaches, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, mustard greens, and winter radish. Humic acid is the most consumed biostimulant by horticultural crops, as it helps enhance root, leaf, and shoot growth while also stimulating seed germination. Seaweed extracts are also popular in horticulture crops, particularly those obtained from brown algae, which is known to increase plant vigor by improving root growth and fruit quality. The segment's growth is supported by increasing organic produce sales and rising consumer awareness about food safety.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack on Areas under organic cultivation, one of the key trends that affect the market size of agricultural biologicals. This data pack also includes areas under cultivation by crop types, such as Row Crops (Cereals, Pulses, and Oilseeds), Horticultural Crops (Fruits and Vegetables), and Cash Crops in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Africa.