Market Trends of nematicide Industry
Intensive agricultural practices have increased the need for nematicide application
- The average global consumption of chemical nematicides was 2.1 kg per hectare of agricultural land in 2022. Asia-Pacific was the largest consumer of nematicides, with a per-hectare consumption of 737.02 grams in 2022. Asian countries, including Japan, commonly adopt intensive farming practices like greenhouse cultivation and monocropping. Although these methods enhance productivity, they also heighten crop vulnerability to soil-borne pests like nematodes. Consequently, farmers frequently resort to nematicides to protect their crops.
- Europe was the second largest per-hectare consumer of nematicides, with 591.7 grams per hectare in 2022. European countries are expanding the cultivation of high-value crops, including vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals, which tend to be more susceptible to nematode damage. The plant-parasitic nematodes cause an annual yield loss of 21.3%, amounting to USD 1.58 billion in European countries. As a result, the use of nematicides becomes necessary to effectively manage and control these infestations in Europe.
- South America was the third largest per-hectare consumer of nematicides, with 570.14 grams per hectare in 2022. Root-knot nematodes attack the roots and tubers of various plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots in the region. Carrots are susceptible to considerable losses, averaging up to 20.0%, while potatoes can experience even higher losses of up to 33.0% due to infestations caused by these nematode species. The nematode population in North American countries is increasing with the increasing adoption of no-tillage practices, which reduce soil disturbance and increase the retention of crop residue. These circumstances are leading to the application of nematicides globally.
Changing climatic conditions and their effect on nematode infestations may raise the demand for nematicides and their prices simultaneously
- Nematicides play a crucial role in agriculture by effectively controlling plant-parasitic nematodes, protecting crops from root damage, and ensuring optimal yield and productivity.
- Flufensulfone is a nematicide belonging to the chemical class of arylsulfonates. It is used to control plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot nematodes, cyst nematodes, lesion nematodes, and dagger nematodes in various agricultural crops. The mode of action of flufensulfone involves interfering with the nervous systems of nematodes, leading to paralysis and death. By targeting nematodes, flufensulfone helps reduce their populations and minimize the damage they can cause to crops. Flufensulfone was priced at USD 19.0 thousand metric ton in 2022.
- Abamectin is known for its nematocidal activity against several plant-parasitic nematodes, including the root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans), the reniform nematode (Rotylenchus reniformis), the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), and the cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii). Its efficacy in controlling these nematodes makes it a valuable tool for nematode management in agricultural crops. As of 2022, the market value of abamectin was approximately USD 12.2 thousand per metric ton.
- Oxamyl is a widely used insecticide and nematicide belonging to the chemical class of carbamates. It is primarily used to control a variety of plant-parasitic nematodes in agricultural crops. Oxamyl's mode of action as an insecticide and nematicide involves inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme essential for nerve function in insects and nematodes. By disrupting this enzyme, oxamyl causes nerve overstimulation, leading to paralysis and eventual death of the pests. It was priced at USD 8.8 thousand per metric ton in 2022.