Latin America, Africa And The Middle East: Biopesticides Market (Volume 5 of a 6 Volume Series)

The market for microbial- and nematode-based pesticides in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East is estimated to be approximately $82.7 million per annum at user-level in 2007/8. This is comprised of $74.6 million for Latin America and $8.1 million for Africa and the Middle East.

Growth of the biopesticides market in Latin America has been substantial since the early 1990s. Local, small-scale production for local use has been a significant factor in this, especially for viral- and fungal-based products. There are, however, a number of larger companies throughout Latin America who are exporting product within the region and beyond. One Colombian company, for example, has taken over a US biopesticide corporation and sells product there.

Brazil and Cuba are the largest biopesticide markets in the region, followed by Colombia. All three are characterised by the fact that there are few if any biopesticide imports. In fact, the Latin American biopesticide market as a whole is characterised by government and NGO encouraged local production. Many countries in the region, however, remain either too poor or too undeveloped for any significant biopesticide sales.

The proportion of the microbial pesticide market taken by Bt-based products in Latin America is approximately 40%. The only country that produces Bt products in the region is Cuba (and in Argentina where they produce under contract); other products are imported from the US, China, India and Spain. Bacillus thuringiensis products are generally viewed by users and extension workers to be too expensive for the market.

In general, the African and Middle Eastern markets are small and undeveloped. Countries remain too poor and the agriculture often too basic for this product sector. However, in some countries, notably South Africa and Kenya, growth is occurring and, overall, the market is on the increase. There remain numerous opportunities throughout the region for market development based on current products.

Bt-based products are dominant in Africa and the Middle East; taking 77% of the overall microbial biopesticide market. There has been little development of local production for local use projects in Africa. Fungal- and viral-based products are therefore comparatively undeveloped in this region.

There is substantial room for growth in the market for microbial biopesticides in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East with currently available products. Africa, in particular, is almost totally undeveloped and with increasing trade in horticultural products into the EU and NAFTA regions, the market has the potential to reach $150 million by 2015.

This volume also includes a company index of 245 companies.