Market Trends of France Adjuvants Industry
Grains and Cereals Are The Largest Growing Market
France's population growth has led farmers to increase their use of agrochemicals and adjuvants for grain and cereal crops to meet rising food demands. According to the European Union and WHO Data, France's population increased from 66.4 million in 2023 to 68.4 million in 2024. The rising frequency of pest attacks on grains and cereals, influenced by climate change, has further necessitated the use of adjuvants with pesticides.
The effectiveness of adjuvant applications is evident in the increased grain and cereal yields. FAOSTAT data shows rice yield increased from 5,182 kg/ha in 2021 to 5,483 kg/ha in 2022. In this region, cereals including rice, maize, wheat, barley, and oats constitute a significant portion of the diet, requiring extensive crop protection measures. FAOSTAT reports that insecticide carbamate usage increased from 66.02 metric tons in 2021 to 73.14 metric tons in 2022, while insecticide pyrethroid usage rose from 417.19 metric tons in 2021 to 460.84 metric tons in 2022. Farmers use adjuvants with these chemicals to ensure uniform spray distribution and maximize yield.
Consumer demand for high-quality produce has increased the precise application of fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers use adjuvants with these agricultural inputs to improve their effectiveness. The combination of adjuvants with pesticides ensures optimal surface coverage and absorption when applied to crops in appropriate quantities.
Herbicide Is The Fastest Growing Market
Farmers are adopting chemical weed control methods due to labor shortages. The use of herbicides has increased significantly, with farmers increasingly using combination formulations of two distinct herbicides for broad-spectrum weed control along with adjuvants to enhance post-emergence herbicide performance. Adjuvants reduce herbicide photodegradation and provide economic benefits through improved product effectiveness, crop protection management, and targeted pest and disease control. These factors are driving the agricultural foliar adjuvants market in Europe.
The French Association for Adjuvants (AFA) reports higher adjuvant usage in herbicides compared to other applications, primarily due to increased herbicide application across various crops. FAOSTAT data shows amide herbicide consumption in France grew from 5,879.4 metric tons in 2021 to 6,283.5 metric tons in 2022, a 6.9% increase, with maximum usage in cereal crops including wheat, barley, and maize.
The EcoPhyto plan's goal to reduce synthetic pesticides by nearly 50% by 2025 is expected to boost the French biopesticide market. This growth is supported by approximately 40% lower R&D costs, minimal re-entry intervals, and reduced food residue. While there are no uniform regulations for adjuvants in organic agriculture, France permits natural substance-based adjuvants, including lecithin, vegetal oils, paraffin oils, pine terpenes, soft soap, and black soap, for organic farming use.
