Herbicide Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Product (Soil Testing and Sampling Services), Sample Type (Surface Soil Samples, Subsurface Soil Samples, Core Samples and Composite Samples), Testing Objective, Application, End User and By Geograph

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Herbicide Market is accounted for $45.3 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $73.2 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Herbicides are chemical substances specifically designed to control or eliminate unwanted plants, commonly referred to as weeds because they lessen competition for sunlight, nutrients, and water. These agents are widely used in agriculture to increase crop yields. Herbicides can be non-selective, meaning they can kill any vegetation they come into contact with, or selective, meaning they can kill particular weed species while sparing the main crops. Moreover, herbicides are effective, but their use also poses health and environmental risks, which has led to the creation of more environmentally friendly and sustainable substitutes.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), herbicides have indeed become increasingly prominent in global pesticide usage. Between 1990 and 2022, the share of herbicides in total pesticide use rose from 40% to 50%, and herbicide application volumes increased by 121%, surpassing the growth rates of fungicides and bactericides (54%) and insecticides (48%).

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing demand for food worldwide

The United Nations estimates that in order to feed a growing population, global food production will need to rise by about 70% by 2050. Weed competition, which can result in yield losses of up to 30–50% if not controlled, is one of the main obstacles to reaching high crop yields. Farmers can minimize crop losses and guarantee the stability of the food supply by using herbicides, which offer a quick, dependable, and scalable solution for weed control. Additionally, herbicide use has also increased due to the growing demand for high-value crops like oilseeds, cereals, and vegetables, which need precise, weed control to meet high quality and yield requirements.

Restraint:

Health and environmental issues

One of the main factors limiting the market for herbicides is their long history of negative effects on the environment and human health. Persistent problems include soil erosion, runoff contaminating water bodies, and damage from non-target species, including aquatic life and pollinators. Furthermore, because of their purported associations with cancer and other health hazards, chemicals like glyphosate have generated international controversy, raising public awareness and prompting legal action. Pressure to reduce chemical inputs is increasing as consumer demand for clean and sustainable agriculture rises, especially in areas like the European Union where regulatory frameworks are moving toward less chemical dependency.

Opportunity:

Innovation in bio-herbicides and sustainable solutions

Bio-herbicides, which are plant-based or microbial weed control agents that are selective, non-toxic, and biodegradable, are becoming more popular due to intense regulatory pressures and growing environmental concerns. Particularly in developed markets like North America and the EU, organic and sustainable farmers are becoming more interested in these biological alternatives. Agrochemical firms and startups are spending more money on research and development in an effort to bring safe and efficient bio-herbicides to market. Moreover, environmentally friendly synthetic herbicides with fewer aftereffects are being created to satisfy shifting consumer and regulatory demands.

Threat:

Growing regulatory restrictions and bans

The growing number of usage restrictions and regulatory bans in major economies is one of the biggest threats to the herbicide market. Because of growing concerns about groundwater contamination, environmental toxicity, and possible health risks to humans and animals, governments and environmental agencies are tightening regulations on the use of chemicals. Additionally, high-demand products may be taken off the market as a result of such regulatory crackdowns, requiring manufacturers to make significant investments in product replacements, reapprovals, and reformulations, many of which have little chance of being commercially successful.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the herbicide market, initially disrupting global supply chains, labour availability, and transportation logistics, which led to delays in herbicide production and distribution—especially during critical planting seasons. Many nations saw a reduction in access to agricultural inputs due to lockdowns and restrictions, which disproportionately affected developing nations and smallholder farmers. Nonetheless, governments and farmers prioritized agricultural productivity, including the continued use of herbicides, as a result of the pandemic's emphasis on food security and steady crop yields.

The cereals & grains segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The cereals & grains segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. Crops like corn, wheat, rice, and barley are included in this section because they are essential to the production of food worldwide. In order to prevent weeds and improve crop yields, herbicides are widely used in this sector. Increased productivity and a decrease in manual labor in weed control are the main reasons for the use of herbicides in cereals and grains. Furthermore, developments in herbicide formulas that target particular weeds support the market's steady expansion in this segment.

The foliar segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the foliar segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. Herbicides are sprayed directly onto plant leaves using this technique, which guarantees quick absorption and successful weed control. This expansion is ascribed to the growing use of foliar sprays, which are effective at delivering active ingredients straight to the target plants, resulting in faster outcomes and less chemical use. Moreover, driving the foliar herbicide segment's growth are developments in formulation technologies and the growing need for sustainable farming methods.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share. The region's extensive agricultural practices, which are essential to the production of food worldwide, are credited with this dominance. Due to their extensive farming operations and the requirement for efficient weed control to guarantee high crop yields, nations like China, India, and Japan make substantial contributions. Additionally, the demand for herbicides in this area is further supported by the use of contemporary farming methods and government assistance for agricultural innovations.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Europe region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR. A growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture, more people using integrated pest management techniques, and supportive government regulations are some of the factors driving this growth. European nations are using precision farming methods and investing in the creation of eco-friendly herbicide formulations to increase crop yields while reducing their negative effects on the environment. Furthermore, the market's growth in the area is being aided by the growing demand for herbicides that are bio-based and organic.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Herbicide Market include Bayer AG, FMC Corporation, Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd., Drexel Chemical Company, Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd., Corteva Agriscience, Nufarm Limited, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Syngenta Group, BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, UPL Limited, AMVAC Chemical Corporation and Monsanto Company.

Key Developments:

In February 2025, Nissan Chemical Corporation has announced that it has concluded a share transfer agreement with Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited for the acquisition of all of Nissan Chemical’s shares in French company Philagro Holding, S.A.. Nissan Chemical has positioned Philagro and Kenogard as important sales bases in France and Spain, two of the world’s leading agricultural nations.

In October 2024, Bayer and MOMA Therapeutics, Inc announced that they have entered into collaboration, under an option and exclusive license agreement, to develop and commercialize a small molecule oncology program based on MOMA’s proprietary KNOMATIC™ platform. Under the agreement, Bayer will be responsible for completing further preclinical, development and commercial activities.

In July 2024, FMC Corporation announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Global Specialty Solutions (GSS) business to Environmental Science US, LLC, known as Envu, an environmental science company providing innovations that protect and enhance the health of environments around the world.

Products Covered:
• Synthetic
• Bio-Herbicides

Mode of Actions Covered:
• Selective Herbicides
• Non-Selective Herbicides

Crop Types Covered:
• Cereals & Grains
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Oilseeds & Pulses
• Commercial Crops
• Other Crop Types

Applications Covered:
• Fertigation
• Foliar
• Fumigation
• Soil Treatment
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements