Market Trends of Italy Crop Protection Chemicals (Pesticides) Industry
Change in Farming Practices and Technology
In many OECD countries, such as Italy, farmers face consumers who are skeptical about the sustainability of modern farming systems. Farmers are sensitive to these concerns, and most are actively involved in various strategies to achieve greater agricultural sustainability. The use of pesticides has been reduced dramatically, and the use of integrated crop protection methods has increased, pushing the country to grow in the future.
Companies with innovative strategies are developing products in all areas of pesticides to reduce the environmental impact of farming systems. However, modern farms and agricultural operations work far differently than previously, primarily because of technological advancements, including sensors, devices, machines, and information technology. This situation strengthens producers in developing innovative products based on consumer preference and boosts the country's drive during the forecast period.
Agricultural robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technology are gaining momentum in the country. Because of these innovations in modern agriculture, new tools, such as precision applicators, advanced spray nozzles, and data analytics, help farmers use pesticides most efficiently. Consequently, this efficient use of pesticides is aiding the market's growth, as growers can measure the number of pesticides required and avoid using toxic amounts.
Shrinking Arable Land in the Country
The FAO defines arable land (in hectares) as land under temporary crops. There is a decline in arable land across the country, including the major farmland-based states of Puglia, Sicily, and Calabria. Urbanization and related land consumption are the main causes of ecosystem services loss. In Italy, land degradation due to land consumption is increasing, especially in agricultural and peri-urban areas. Land taken due to urbanization nullifies the land's capacity to cultivate and produce the resulting goods and benefits. According to the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), in Italy, a loss of approximately 4,154,55.9 tons of agricultural products due to land consumption in the period 2012-2020 was estimated (0.45% of the percentage loss).
According to a report by the World Bank, in 2020, arable land as a share of the land area in Italy was 23.1%. Arable land as a share of the land area of Italy fell gradually from 42.1% in 1967 to 23.1% in 2020. It is estimated to decrease further in the near future. Many factors, such as climate change, pest outbreaks, and lack of investments, make it challenging to produce enough food. Hence, to meet the increasing food demand, the production of crops, such as cereals and pulses, needs to increase despite the limited availability of arable land. The availability of efficient and eco-friendly crop protection chemicals is a vital part of sustainable agriculture in the country and is expected to boost the market's growth during the forecast period.
