• In March 2023, Corteva Agriscience acquired Stoller Group and Symborg for a combined USD 1.2 billion, significantly enhancing its portfolio with advanced plant nutrition and microbial bio-solutions.

• In 2022, UPL acquired Evogene, boosting its capabilities in microbial and biostimulant innovation and supporting its global growth in sustainable agricultural biological products.

In this report, the Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Function, Product Type, Crop Type, Mode of Application, and Geography.

Agricultural Biologicals Market, Segmentation by Function

The Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Function into Crop Protection - [Biocontrol], Crop Enhancement - [Biofertilizers and Biostimulants].

Crop Protection – Biocontrol

Crop protection through biocontrol accounts for around 48% of the agricultural biologicals market. Biocontrol products such as microbial pesticides, beneficial insects, and natural predators are increasingly used as alternatives to synthetic chemicals. They offer targeted pest and disease control, improved residue management, and support the move toward sustainable farming practices.

Crop Enhancement – Biofertilizers and Biostimulants

Crop enhancement holds nearly 52% of the market and includes biofertilizers and biostimulants. These products enhance nutrient uptake, stimulate plant metabolism, and improve soil health. Biofertilizers promote biological nitrogen fixation, while biostimulants support stress tolerance and enhance growth efficiency, making them crucial in organic and regenerative agriculture.

Agricultural Biologicals Market, Segmentation by Product Type

The Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Product Type into Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals and Natural Products.

Microbials

Microbials dominate the agricultural biologicals market with approximately 60% share. These include bacteria, fungi, and viruses used to enhance plant growth and provide biological control of pests and diseases. Their compatibility with organic farming and ability to improve soil microbiome make them increasingly popular across major crop categories.

Macrobials

Macrobials hold around 15% of the market and consist of beneficial insects and nematodes applied directly to control pests. They are especially effective in greenhouse and high-value horticultural crops. Their ability to provide natural, non-toxic pest control makes them a key component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

Semiochemicals

Semiochemicals account for approximately 12% of the market. These include pheromones and other chemical signals that disrupt pest behavior, such as mating disruption or attract-and-kill techniques. They offer a highly targeted, environmentally safe solution for pest control, with minimal impact on beneficial organisms.

Natural Products

Natural products contribute about 13% to the market and are derived from plant extracts, minerals, or other natural sources. These products often function as biostimulants, repellents, or growth enhancers, supporting both crop resilience and soil vitality, while aligning with sustainable and organic farming systems.

Agricultural Biologicals Market, Segmentation by Crop Type

The Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Crop Type into Cereals & Pulses, Fruits & Nuts, Oilseeds, Green Fodder, Vegetables & Tubers, Industrial Crops, Textile Crops, and Others.

Cereals & Pulses

Cereals & pulses account for approximately 28% of the agricultural biologicals market. These staple crops, including wheat, rice, lentils, and beans, rely on biologicals to improve nutrient uptake, support nitrogen fixation, and enhance disease resistance, especially in sustainable farming systems.

Fruits & Nuts

Fruits & nuts hold a share of about 15%, with biologicals increasingly used in orchards and plantations to improve fruit quality, reduce chemical residues, and extend shelf life. Their use is growing in high-value export crops such as almonds, grapes, and citrus fruits.

Oilseeds

Oilseeds make up nearly 13% of the market. Crops like soybean, canola, and sunflower benefit from biofertilizers and biopesticides that enhance germination rates, protect against soil-borne pathogens, and support oil content improvement.

Green Fodder

Green fodder represents around 10% of the segment, driven by the demand for sustainable livestock feed. Biologicals applied to crops like alfalfa and clover promote forage quality, improve digestibility, and reduce the need for synthetic inputs.

Vegetables & Tubers

Vegetables & tubers constitute about 18% of the market. Crops like potatoes, onions, carrots, and leafy greens use biologicals for pest suppression, enhanced soil structure, and improved post-harvest freshness, especially in organic systems.

Industrial Crops

Industrial crops such as sugarcane, rubber, and bioenergy crops contribute around 7% to the market. Agricultural biologicals in this category are used to improve root development, reduce fungal disease, and optimize yield under intensive cultivation systems.

Textile Crops

Textile crops like cotton, accounting for roughly 5%, benefit from biocontrol agents and biofertilizers that support fiber quality, reduce pest damage, and minimize reliance on chemical insecticides, aligning with eco-friendly textile initiatives.

Others

The remaining 4% includes specialty crops like herbs, spices, and medicinal plants, which require highly targeted biological inputs to enhance aroma, active compounds, and market value, especially in niche organic and export markets.

Agricultural Biologicals Market, Segmentation by Mode of Application

The Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Mode of Application into Foliar Spray, Seed Treatment, and Soil Treatment.

Foliar Spray

Foliar spray is the most widely adopted mode of application, accounting for approximately 50% of the agricultural biologicals market. This method enables direct absorption of nutrients, biopesticides, or biostimulants through leaf surfaces, resulting in quick response times and better pest and disease control during the crop cycle.

Seed Treatment

Seed treatment holds around 30% of the market and involves applying biologicals directly to seeds before sowing. This ensures early-stage protection against soil-borne pathogens, enhances germination, and promotes root development, giving crops a strong start with improved vigor and yield potential.

Soil Treatment

Soil treatment represents about 20% of the market. In this method, biologicals are applied directly to the soil to improve microbial activity, enhance nutrient cycling, and suppress harmful organisms. It plays a critical role in regenerative agriculture and long-term soil health management.

Agricultural Biologicals Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Newspaper Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America dominates the agricultural biologicals market with a share of approximately 35%, driven by increasing adoption of organic farming, strong government support, and presence of leading biological product manufacturers. The U.S. leads the region in using biopesticides and biofertilizers across major crop categories.

Europe

Europe holds around 25% of the market, propelled by strict regulations on chemical pesticide use and the EU’s push for sustainable agriculture under the Green Deal. Countries like Germany, France, and Italy are adopting biological inputs in both conventional and organic farming systems.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific accounts for nearly 22% of the market, with growth fueled by expanding agricultural activity in countries like India, China, and Vietnam. The shift toward residue-free farming, rising demand for high-yield crops, and supportive government initiatives are key drivers in the region.

Middle East and Africa

Middle East and Africa contribute about 10% to the global market. The region shows growing interest in biologicals due to water scarcity, increasing emphasis on soil restoration, and the need for sustainable crop protection in arid farming systems, particularly in South Africa and parts of the GCC.

Latin America

Latin America represents roughly 8% of the market, led by countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The region’s vast cropland area, increasing adoption of biocontrol agents, and rising demand for eco-friendly solutions support its growing use of agricultural biologicals.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Agricultural Biologicals Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis

Drivers:

• Rising demand for organic agricultural practices
• Stringent regulations on chemical pesticide usage
• Increased focus on sustainable crop protection

• Growing awareness of soil health benefits - The major driver propelling the demand for agricultural biologicals. Modern agriculture is increasingly recognizing that long-term crop productivity and sustainability depend heavily on the microbial, structural, and nutrient health of soil. Biological inputs such as biofertilizers, biostimulants, and microbial inoculants play a crucial role in replenishing soil vitality by promoting natural biological activity and improving nutrient cycling.

  Farmers are shifting away from excessive chemical fertilizer use, which can lead to soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, and reduced microbial diversity. Agricultural biologicals offer an environmentally responsible alternative that enhances soil fertility, structure, and water retention capacity without causing long-term damage. These products help restore the natural soil ecosystem, supporting plant growth through organic nutrient release and beneficial microbial interactions.

  With mounting concerns around soil erosion, carbon loss, and declining yields, policymakers, researchers, and agribusinesses are actively promoting soil health initiatives. Programs aimed at sustainable land management and regenerative agriculture are creating awareness about the benefits of integrating biologicals into regular farming practices. The ability of these solutions to deliver both economic and environmental benefits is reinforcing their relevance in both conventional and organic farming systems.

  As farmers increasingly associate soil health with long-term profitability, the adoption of agricultural biologicals is gaining momentum. Their role in fostering resilient, productive, and sustainable farming systems positions them as a central component of future agricultural practices.

Restraints:

• Shorter shelf life of biological products
• Variability in performance across environments
• Lack of farmer awareness and training

• Complex registration and regulatory processes - A significant barrier to the growth of the agricultural biologicals market. Unlike conventional agrochemicals, biological products often involve living organisms or natural extracts, which fall under different regulatory frameworks depending on the country. These varying standards create lengthy approval timelines, high compliance costs, and uncertainty for product developers trying to enter global markets.

  In many regions, regulatory agencies still apply chemical-centric evaluation models that may not be suitable for biological inputs. This mismatch can lead to delays in product approvals, despite the biologicals posing minimal toxicity or environmental risk. Additionally, the lack of clear global harmonization makes it difficult for companies to pursue cross-border commercialization and scalability.

  For startups and small-scale innovators, these challenges are especially burdensome, often requiring extensive investment in field trials, documentation, and regulatory consultations. This slows down innovation and creates entry barriers for potentially transformative solutions. Even established companies face setbacks when trying to register new strains, formulations, or delivery technologies in multiple jurisdictions.

  Streamlining regulatory frameworks and establishing biological-specific evaluation protocols will be critical to unlocking the full potential of the market. Without regulatory reform, the sector may struggle to keep pace with agricultural needs despite the rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly crop inputs.

Opportunities:

• Expansion in integrated pest management programs
• Adoption in emerging economies' farming sectors
• Development of next-gen microbial technologies

• Public-private investment in biological R&D - Unlocking significant opportunities in the agricultural biologicals market. As sustainability becomes a priority, both governments and private enterprises are ramping up funding for the development of innovative bio-based solutions. These investments are aimed at discovering new microbial strains, enhancing product formulations, and improving field performance for broader adoption across crop types and climates.

  Academic institutions, startups, and agri-tech companies are forming collaborations to accelerate the pace of research in biocontrol agents, plant-growth promoters, and soil health enhancers. Public-sector funding is providing essential support for early-stage innovations, while corporate investments are ensuring scaling, commercialization, and market penetration. This synergy is fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem with strong potential for breakthroughs.

  Governments are also creating supportive environments through grants, pilot programs, and policy incentives that encourage biological integration into mainstream agriculture. These efforts are vital for demonstrating field efficacy, raising farmer awareness, and building confidence in the use of biologicals. The resulting pipeline of field-tested, scientifically backed products will be crucial for driving adoption at scale.

  As global food security, climate resilience, and soil regeneration remain top concerns, investment in biological R&D is expected to continue rising. This long-term commitment will not only expand the product base but also help shape the future of low-input, high-output sustainable agriculture, unlocking new commercial and environmental value across the farming sector.

Key players in Agricultural Biologicals Market include:

• UPL Limited
• Bayer CropScience AG
• Corteva AgriScience
• Syngenta International AG
• BASF SE
• Novozymes AG
• Atlántica Agricola
• W. Neudorff GmbH KG
• Agrinos AS
• FMC Corporation
• Certis USA LLC
• Bioworks Inc
• Kiwa Bio-tech Products Group Corporation
• International Panaacea Limited
• Andermatt Biocontrol AG

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis