Market Trends of north america seed treatment Industry
Increased crop losses in major crops due to soilborne diseases and nematodes necessitate the use of seed treatments with higher dosages
- North America experienced a noteworthy upsurge in seed treatment consumption per hectare, with a recorded increase of 53 grams in 2022 compared to the figures from 2017. This substantial growth in consumption can be attributed to several factors that have influenced agricultural practices in the region. One significant factor is the impact of climate changes, which have resulted in shifts in weather patterns and the emergence of new challenges for farmers. As a consequence of these changes, there has been a greater need for effective seed treatment products to mitigate the adverse effects of unpredictable weather on crop health and yield.
- Additionally, the rise in fungal and nematode infestations has posed significant threats to crops, necessitating the use of seed treatments at higher application rates to safeguard plant health and ensure optimal yields.
- The increase in seed treatment consumption is a response to the changing agricultural landscape in North America. Farmers are proactively adopting seed treatment solutions as a precautionary measure. The United States and Canada, as major agricultural countries in the region, are currently grappling with significant challenges posed by plant parasitic nematodes, soil-borne diseases, and various other insect pests.
- Soybeans, maize, cotton, and corn are the prominent crops grown in the region, but they encounter significant challenges from various nematodes and soilborne diseases. These challenges include root-lesion nematodes, root rots, fusarium species, cereal cyst nematodes, soybean cyst nematodes, rhizoctonia, pythium species, phomosis, seedling blights, and others. The increasing damage by these diseases and nematodes necessitates the seed treatment application method with higher dosages.
The growing demand for Seed treatment is anticipated to fuel the prices of the active ingredients.
- In North America, commonly utilized active ingredients for seed treatment chemicals include cypermethrin, metalaxyl, malathion, abamectin, and azoxystrobin. Seed treatment offers initial protection to seeds and young plants from pests and diseases by establishing a defensive layer upon seed sowing. This protective barrier shields the seed from potential harm as it begins its growth in the soil.
- Cypermethrin, as an insecticide, remained primarily on the surface of treated seeds or plants, forming a protective barrier for quick knockdown action against a wide range of insect pests. Its price stood at USD 21.0 thousand per metric ton in 2022. The mode of action of Cypermethrin involves disrupting the nervous systems of insects, leading to paralysis and, ultimately, their death.
- Malathion's systemic effect allowed for the successful management of a wide range of insect pests, such as aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, scales, and specific caterpillar types. It was priced at USD 124 thousand per metric ton in 2022. Malathion inhibits acetylcholinesterase, a vital enzyme for nerve function in insects, leading to their incapacitation.
- Abamectin belongs to the Ivermectin chemical class and has high intrinsic activity against nematodes. It is used to protect young plants from the root-attacking nematodes in corn, soybeans, and cotton production. It was priced at USD 8.8 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
- By applying metalaxyl as a seed treatment, farmers can proactively address disease issues right from the start of the plant's life cycle. This early intervention helps ensure healthier and more vigorous seedling establishment, which can lead to improved crop yields. Metalaxyl was priced at USD 4.4 thousand per metric ton in 2022.