The global fungicides market reached USD 23.36 billion in 2024 and is set for 5.08% CAGR (2025–2030), driven by efforts to increase crop yields.
Fungicides are a crucial category of pesticides widely utilized in agriculture to combat various fungal diseases that threaten crop health. Their primary function is to eliminate fungi and their spores, reducing issues such as blight, rust, and mildew, which can severely damage crops. The growth of the fungicide market is closely linked to the increasing global population and the corresponding demand for food production. The rising consumption of these crops is driven by their health benefits and changing dietary preferences, alongside advancements in poultry farming practices and innovative fungicide formulations. Climate change predictions and the growing incidence of crop diseases further amplify the need for effective fungicides. Furthermore, consumer health concerns have increased demand for high-quality vegetables, while new farming technologies contribute to improved crop productivity. For instance, in 2019 BASF, a leading agro-chemical company received registration for its new active ingredient “Revysol” fungicides from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, in 2021, FMC Corporation also received approval from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the registration of fluindapyr that can be used in specialty crops as well as turfs. Due to the increasing disease resistance to strobilurin fungicides, the manufacturers are focusing on the development of strobilurins in combination with the other range of products. The global outbreak of COVID-19 was followed by lockdowns across several countries and this had a severe impact on the production and supply of products. The disruption in the supply chain of plant protection products including fungicide products was also due to the labor shortage. Further, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the flow of crop protection products, either from local or international suppliers to the farm level, has already resulted in reduced outputs. For example, transportation costs of pesticides to East Africa have increased by a factor of three, and shipping was delayed due to fewer flights to the region. According to the research report, "Global Fungicides Market Research Report, 2030," published by Actual Market Research, the Global Fungicides market was valued at more than USD 23.36 Billion in 2024, with the CAGR of 5.08% from 2025-2030. The goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 known as “Zero hunger” strategy that aims to eradicate hunger malnutrition by 2030 has fallen behind its goals. The economic slowdown caused by the global pandemic COVID-19, extreme climate conditions in certain regions of the world have threatened food supply. The adoption of intensive farming practices and monocultural cultivation methods has created favorable conditions for fungal pathogen proliferation. Global crop losses due to fungal diseases remain a significant concern, with farmers losing between 10% and 23% of their crops to fungal infections as of 2022. Rising global temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, particularly droughts and heat waves, have further exacerbated the spread of fungal diseases, compelling agricultural stakeholders to implement more robust disease management strategies. Fungicides can be applied in several ways depending on the stage of plant growth or the specific disease being targeted. Seed treatments, for example, protect seeds from fungal infections during the germination process. Soil applications prevent fungal spores present in the soil from infecting plants, while foliar sprays applied directly to the leaves offer protection throughout the growing season. These methods ensure that crops receive continuous protection from the time they are planted until they are harvested and stored. New-generation fungicides with dual or multiple modes of action are being developed to delay resistance buildup in pathogens. Additionally, innovations such as controlled-release formulations, nano-based delivery systems, and systemic fungicides that move within the plant for longer protection are gaining traction.
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Asia-Pacific dominates the market and is the largest and fastest-growing market in the animal growth promoters industry globally
Download SampleMarket Drivers • Increasing Global Food Demand and Crop Protection Needs: The expanding global population, projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, is driving a surge in food demand worldwide. To meet this challenge, agricultural productivity must be enhanced while minimizing losses from pests and diseases. Fungal infections are a major threat to staple crops such as wheat, rice, corn, and fruits, causing significant yield reductions if unmanaged. This necessitates widespread use of fungicides as essential crop protection tools. The global emphasis on food security, combined with the need for higher crop yields and better-quality produce, continues to fuel strong growth in the fungicides market. • Advancements in Fungicide Chemistry and Application Technologies: Innovation in fungicide formulations, including the development of systemic, broad-spectrum, and low-toxicity compounds, is a key driver of the market. New chemistries offer improved efficacy and reduced environmental impact, making fungicides more attractive to farmers and regulators. Simultaneously, advances in application technologies such as drone spraying, precision agriculture, and automated equipment allow for more targeted and efficient fungicide use. These technological improvements reduce chemical wastage, lower production costs, and support sustainable agriculture, thereby accelerating fungicide adoption on a global scale. Market Challenges • Regulatory Constraints and Safety Concerns: Globally, regulatory bodies are tightening restrictions on pesticide use due to concerns over human health, environmental safety, and residue in food products. Many effective fungicides have been banned or face stringent usage limits, necessitating costly research and reformulation efforts by manufacturers. Compliance with varying regulations across different countries complicates product registration and market access. This regulatory landscape increases operational costs, delays product launches, and limits the availability of certain fungicides, posing a significant challenge to market growth. • Development of Fungicide Resistance: The widespread and sometimes improper use of fungicides has led to the evolution of resistant fungal strains worldwide. Resistance diminishes the effectiveness of existing products, forcing farmers to rotate chemicals or increase application rates, which can escalate costs and environmental impact. Managing resistance requires integrated disease management strategies and continuous innovation in fungicide chemistry. However, the global scale of this issue demands coordinated efforts among manufacturers, farmers, and regulators, which can be difficult to implement consistently across diverse agricultural systems. Market Trends • Shift Towards Sustainable and Bio-based Fungicides: There is a rising global trend favoring sustainable agriculture and reduced chemical dependency, driving growth in the biofungicides segment. Derived from natural microorganisms or plant extracts, biofungicides offer environmentally friendly alternatives with lower toxicity and residue concerns. Increasing research and commercialization efforts are enhancing their effectiveness and availability. This trend aligns with consumer demand for organic and sustainably produced food and with stricter regulatory standards, pushing the global fungicides market towards more eco-friendly solutions. • Integration of Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming: Digital agriculture technologies, including remote sensing, data analytics, GPS-guided machinery, and artificial intelligence, are revolutionizing fungicide application worldwide. Precision farming enables farmers to detect fungal infections early and apply fungicides only where necessary, optimizing dosage and timing. This reduces chemical use, lowers costs, and minimizes environmental impact. As digital infrastructure expands globally, especially in emerging markets, the adoption of precision agriculture is set to become a major growth driver for the fungicides industry, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
Geography | North America | United States |
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Biological fungicides are the fastest-growing segment in the global fungicides industry due to rising demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly crop protection solutions driven by regulatory pressures. The rapid growth of biological fungicides within the global fungicides industry is primarily fueled by the increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices that align with stricter environmental regulations and growing consumer concerns over food safety. Biological fungicides, which are derived from natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts, offer a safer alternative to traditional synthetic fungicides. They work by either directly inhibiting the growth of plant pathogens or by stimulating the plant's own defense mechanisms. This natural mode of action not only helps in managing disease resistance but also reduces the negative environmental impact typically associated with chemical fungicides. Regulatory bodies around the world, especially in Europe and North America, have tightened their stance on chemical pesticide residues and their effects on ecosystems and human health. These restrictions have made it more difficult and expensive for agrochemical companies to bring new chemical fungicides to market, thereby opening significant opportunities for biological products. Additionally, with the rise of organic farming and integrated pest management (IPM) practices, biological fungicides have become a crucial component of modern agricultural systems. Farmers are increasingly adopting these products to meet certification requirements, comply with export standards, and reduce their dependence on synthetic chemicals. Another driver is the accelerated innovation and investment in biotechnology and microbial research, which has significantly improved the efficacy, shelf life, and field performance of biological fungicides. Fruits and vegetables represent the fastest-growing crop type in the global fungicides industry due to their high susceptibility to fungal diseases and stringent quality standards driven by consumer demand for blemish-free, residue-free produce. The fruits and vegetables segment has emerged as the fastest-growing crop type in the global fungicides industry, primarily because these crops are highly vulnerable to a wide range of fungal diseases throughout their production cycle, and they face intense pressure to meet high cosmetic and safety standards demanded by both consumers and regulatory bodies. Unlike grains or oilseeds, fruits and vegetables are mostly consumed fresh or with minimal processing, which makes the presence of even minor blemishes, discoloration, or decay highly unacceptable in retail markets. This aesthetic sensitivity, combined with the perishable nature of these crops, creates a strong dependency on fungicides to ensure crop health, yield stability, and marketability. Furthermore, because fungal pathogens such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, botrytis, and anthracnose thrive in the warm and humid conditions under which many fruits and vegetables are grown, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, growers must often apply fungicides preventatively and at regular intervals. This high frequency of application results in a larger volume of fungicide use per hectare compared to other crop types. Simultaneously, consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and concerned about pesticide residues on fresh produce, which has prompted stricter maximum residue limits (MRLs) across global markets. Exporters, especially from developing countries, must meet these residue requirements to access lucrative international markets in North America, Europe, and East Asia. As a result, growers are adopting advanced fungicide formulations—both synthetic and biological—that offer effective disease control while ensuring compliance with safety standards. Post-harvest application is the fastest-growing segment in the global fungicides industry due to the increasing need to reduce storage and transit losses, maintain produce quality, and meet stringent international trade and shelf-life requirements. The post-harvest application of fungicides is witnessing the fastest growth within the global fungicides industry because of its critical role in preserving the quality, safety, and marketability of produce after it has been harvested. In an increasingly globalized food supply chain, where fruits, vegetables, and other perishables are often transported over long distances and stored for extended periods, the risk of fungal spoilage becomes significantly higher. Post-harvest fungal infections such as gray mold, blue mold, anthracnose, and sour rot can lead to substantial economic losses, particularly in high-value horticultural crops. These pathogens often thrive in storage environments, especially where temperature, humidity, or handling conditions are not optimal. Fungicides applied during the post-harvest phase help extend the shelf life of produce, prevent decay during storage and transit, and ensure that products arrive at their destination in visually appealing, consumable condition. As a result, exporters, retailers, and logistics providers are increasingly prioritizing post-harvest disease management as a vital link in the supply chain. The demand is particularly pronounced in developing countries, where post-harvest losses can reach up to 30–40% due to poor infrastructure and limited cold chain systems. Applying fungicides post-harvest helps mitigate these losses and enhances food security, especially for countries that rely heavily on agricultural exports. Additionally, as consumer expectations for fresh, blemish-free, and safe produce continue to rise, food retailers are enforcing stricter quality control standards, incentivizing producers to adopt advanced post-harvest treatments. Governments and food safety authorities are also pushing for better handling and storage practices, often incorporating the use of approved post-harvest fungicides that comply with global maximum residue limits (MRLs). Dry form fungicides are the fastest-growing type in the global fungicides industry due to their longer shelf life, ease of storage and transport, and increasing adoption in regions with limited access to liquid handling infrastructure. Dry form fungicides, such as wettable powders, granules, and water-dispersible granules, are experiencing the fastest growth in the global fungicides industry because they offer significant logistical and practical advantages over liquid formulations, particularly in emerging markets. One of the primary benefits is their extended shelf life and greater chemical stability under varying climatic conditions, making them ideal for long-term storage without the risk of degradation. This characteristic is especially valuable in tropical and subtropical regions where high temperatures and humidity can compromise the integrity of liquid products. Additionally, dry formulations are generally lighter, less bulky, and easier to transport, which helps reduce shipping and handling costs—an increasingly important factor in global trade and distribution networks. In areas with limited access to cold chains, advanced spraying equipment, or reliable water sources, dry fungicides offer a more practical solution as they are typically reconstituted with water just before application. This flexibility allows farmers to manage disease control more efficiently, even in remote or resource-constrained environments. Moreover, improvements in formulation technology have made modern dry fungicides more user-friendly, with better dispersibility, lower dust levels, and enhanced mixing characteristics. These innovations have addressed earlier concerns about handling safety and application consistency, making dry forms more attractive to both smallholder and commercial farmers. In addition, regulatory shifts toward reducing the environmental impact of agrochemicals have favored dry formulations, which often involve fewer solvents and packaging materials than liquid counterparts, contributing to lower ecological footprints. Another growth driver is the increasing integration of dry fungicides into seed treatment and soil application systems, where granular or powdered forms are more effective and convenient than liquids. Horticulture growers are the fastest-growing end-user segment in the global fungicides industry due to the high value, perishability, and disease sensitivity of horticultural crops, combined with rising demand for quality produce and export compliance. Horticulture growers represent the fastest-growing end-user segment in the global fungicides industry because the nature of horticultural crops—such as fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and flowers—makes them highly vulnerable to fungal diseases that can quickly ruin crop quality, reduce yields, and severely impact profitability. Unlike broad-acre crops, horticultural produce is often high in value, perishable, and aesthetically sensitive, meaning that even minor fungal infections can lead to total market rejection. This is especially true in the case of fresh produce, where visual appeal, cleanliness, and shelf life are critical for both domestic and international markets. As global demand for fresh and residue-free horticultural products continues to rise—driven by health-conscious consumers, expanding urban populations, and modern retail systems—horticulture growers are under increasing pressure to maintain consistent quality and volume. Consequently, they rely heavily on fungicides to prevent and control a wide range of fungal pathogens that thrive in the humid, high-density cultivation environments typical of greenhouses, polyhouses, and intensive open-field horticulture. Additionally, the growing export orientation of horticulture—particularly in regions like Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa—requires growers to comply with stringent international quality and safety standards, including maximum residue limits (MRLs), which in turn boosts the adoption of advanced fungicide solutions, including biological and low-residue options. Governments in many countries are also promoting horticulture through subsidies, training, and infrastructure development, leading to increased acreage and investment in crop protection. Furthermore, horticulture growers are typically more tech-savvy and quality-focused than traditional row crop farmers, and more willing to invest in premium fungicide products to protect their high-value crops.
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The Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the global fungicides industry primarily due to the expansion of agricultural activities and increasing demand for higher crop yields to support its large and growing population. The Asia Pacific region’s prominence in the global fungicides industry can largely be attributed to the dynamic interplay of demographic, economic, and environmental factors that are driving increased agricultural output and the need for effective crop protection solutions. With more than half of the world’s population residing in this region, countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are under immense pressure to produce sufficient food to meet domestic consumption needs. As arable land becomes scarcer due to urbanization and industrial development, farmers are compelled to maximize productivity on existing farmland. This necessitates the use of crop protection products like fungicides to minimize crop losses caused by fungal diseases, which are particularly prevalent in the region’s tropical and subtropical climates. Additionally, the prevalence of high humidity, monsoon rains, and warm temperatures creates ideal breeding grounds for fungal pathogens, making fungicides an essential input in the region’s agricultural practices. Economically, rising incomes and increased awareness among farmers about modern farming practices have accelerated the adoption of fungicides, especially in major crop segments like rice, wheat, fruits, and vegetables. Government support through subsidies and agricultural extension services has also contributed to the growth by encouraging the use of scientifically backed plant protection methods. Furthermore, Asia Pacific has seen significant investments in agrochemical R&D and manufacturing infrastructure, with multinational corporations setting up operations to tap into local demand and streamline supply chains. This localized production helps reduce costs and ensures product availability even in rural areas.
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• In June 2024, BASF SE launched its new rice fungicide, Cevya (400g/L mefentrifluconazole), in China that features the active ingredient Revysol (mefentrifluconazole) for effective prevention and control of rice false smut. • In March 2023, Corteva acquired Stoller, one of the largest independent companies in the biologicals sector, headquartered in Houston, Texas. This acquisition will strengthen Corteva’s dedication to offering farmers environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions that align with advancing farming practices and demonstrate proven effectiveness. • In August 2023, Bayer AG invested USD 231.3 million to construct a new R&D facility at its Monheim site. This investment marked Germany's largest single financial commitment towards crop protection in the last four decades. The R&D facility was designed to accommodate approximately 200 employees.
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