Global Agricultural Microbials Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)
By Type;
Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, and Virus.By Function;
Soil Amendment and Crop Protection.By Crop Type;
Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others.By Mode Of Application;
Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment, and Post-Harvest.By Geography;
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America - Report Timeline (2021 - 2031).Agricultural Microbials Market Overview
Agricultural Microbials Market (USD Million)
Agricultural Microbials Market was valued at USD 10,204.41 million in the year 2024. The size of this market is expected to increase to USD 26,489.89 million by the year 2031, while growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.6%.
Global Agricultural Microbials Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast
*Market size in USD million
CAGR 14.6 %
Study Period | 2025 - 2031 |
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Base Year | 2024 |
CAGR (%) | 14.6 % |
Market Size (2024) | USD 10,204.41 Million |
Market Size (2031) | USD 26,489.89 Million |
Market Concentration | Low |
Report Pages | 308 |
Major Players
- Marrone Bio innovations
- Corteva Agriscience
- Certis Bioloigcals
- FMC Corporation
Market Concentration
Consolidated - Market dominated by 1 - 5 major players
Global Agricultural Microbials Market
Fragmented - Highly competitive market without dominant players
The agricultural microbials market is rapidly expanding as demand for sustainable crop protection rises. Farmers are increasingly turning to biological alternatives to reduce dependency on chemical pesticides. Currently, about 55% of organic farming operations incorporate microbial-based products, signaling a clear move toward environmentally conscious agriculture.
Boosting Soil Fertility and Crop Resilience
Microbial solutions are gaining traction for their ability to enhance soil health and nutrient absorption. These natural agents strengthen root systems and defend against soil-borne diseases. Approximately 48% of commercial farms now use microbials to improve crop quality and reduce yield losses, underlining their effectiveness in supporting long-term soil productivity.
Innovation Driving Product Development
Ongoing advancements in microbial research and formulation are accelerating product innovation. Modern strains offer better resistance, targeted efficacy, and longer shelf life. In fact, over 30% of recently launched microbial products are tailored for specific crops and environmental conditions, showcasing the market’s progress toward precision agriculture.
Outlook for Biologically Integrated Farming
The outlook for the agricultural microbials market remains strong as more farms adopt biological solutions for soil and pest management. With market integration deepening, microbials are expected to contribute to over 50% of holistic farm management strategies soon. This trend underscores their growing importance in modern, eco-smart farming systems.
Agricultural Microbials Market Recent Developments
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In September 2021, Valent BioSciences LLC and Kansas State University, Manhattan, announced a formal long-term agreement to advance critical research in the areas of soil health and carbon smart farming. The joint research team would look at how MycoApply brand soil inoculants (containing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and soil conservation management practices interacted to affect soil health.
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In October 2021, UPL announced a long-term strategic collaboration with Chr. Hansen, a global bioscience company, to develop microbial-based BioSolutions (including biostimulants and biopesticides) that would help growers around the world fight pests and diseases and improve crop quality and yields.
Agricultural Microbials Market Segment Analysis
In this report, the Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Type, Function, Crop Type, Mode of Application, and Geography.
Agricultural Microbials Market, Segmentation by Type
The Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Type into Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, and Virus..
Bacteria
Bacteria dominate the agricultural microbials market, accounting for nearly 75% of the total share. These beneficial microbes improve nutrient availability, enhance soil health, and protect crops against pathogens. Common strains include Bacillus and Rhizobium, widely used in biofertilizers and biopesticides.
Fungi
Fungi represent about 15% of the market and are essential for their role in enhancing plant nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus. Species like Trichoderma and Mycorrhizae are effective in soil structure improvement and root colonization, contributing to greater crop resilience.
Protozoa
Protozoa make up approximately 6% of the market. These microorganisms help regulate bacterial populations, promoting a balanced soil microbiome. Their activity supports nutrient cycling, particularly nitrogen mineralization, and contributes to long-term soil fertility.
Virus
Viruses account for nearly 4% of the agricultural microbials market. Used in biocontrol strategies, they specifically target insect pests without harming beneficial organisms. Viral agents like baculoviruses are gaining traction in integrated pest management (IPM) systems for their high host specificity.
Agricultural Microbials Market, Segmentation by Function
The Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Function into Soil Amendment and Crop Protection.
Soil Amendment
Soil amendment holds a dominant share of around 60% in the agricultural microbials market. Microbials used for this function improve soil structure, boost nutrient availability, and enhance microbial diversity. They promote long-term soil fertility, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and are widely adopted in both organic and regenerative agriculture.
Crop Protection
Crop protection represents approximately 40% of the market. Microbials in this segment are used as biopesticides and biofungicides, offering effective control against pests, pathogens, and plant diseases. These natural solutions are gaining popularity in integrated pest management (IPM) due to their environmental safety and target specificity.
Agricultural Microbials Market, Segmentation by Crop Type
The Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Crop Type into Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others..
Cereals & Grains
Cereals & grains dominate the agricultural microbials market with a share of approximately 40%. Crops such as wheat, corn, and rice benefit from microbial inputs that enhance nutrient uptake, improve root development, and provide protection against soil-borne diseases, boosting productivity in large-scale farming systems.
Oilseeds & Pulses
Oilseeds & pulses hold nearly 28% of the market. Microbial solutions in this segment, particularly nitrogen-fixing bacteria, improve soil fertility and support plant protein synthesis in crops like soybean, canola, and lentils. They are crucial in both conventional and organic farming practices.
Fruits & Vegetables
Fruits & vegetables contribute about 22% to the market. Microbials enhance post-harvest quality, improve plant immunity, and assist in nutrient cycling, making them ideal for high-value crops like tomatoes, grapes, and leafy greens grown in both open fields and greenhouse systems.
Others
The “others” category, accounting for around 10%, includes crops such as cotton, sugarcane, and turf grasses. Microbial applications here support residue decomposition, promote soil health, and increase resistance to abiotic stress, helping farmers maintain sustainable yields across diverse crop types.
Agricultural Microbials Market, Segmentation by Mode of Application
The Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Mode of Application into Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment, and Post-Harvest.
Foliar Spray
Foliar spray accounts for nearly 35% of the agricultural microbials market. This method enables direct application of beneficial microbes to plant surfaces, enhancing pathogen resistance, nutrient uptake, and leaf health. It is widely adopted in high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals for rapid and targeted results.
Soil Treatment
Soil treatment represents around 30% of the market. Microbials applied to the soil improve microbial diversity, boost nutrient cycling, and promote root zone health. This method supports long-term soil fertility and is commonly used in both conventional and organic farming systems.
Seed Treatment
Seed treatment holds about 25% of the market and involves coating seeds with microbial formulations to promote germination, enhance root development, and protect against soil-borne pathogens. It is especially effective in row crops like corn, soybean, and wheat for early-stage plant vigor.
Post-Harvest
Post-harvest applications contribute approximately 10% of the market. Microbial products are used to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and prevent fungal contamination during storage and transportation. They are increasingly utilized in the organic produce supply chain.
Agricultural Microbials Market, Segmentation by Geography
In this report, the Agricultural Microbials Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.
Regions and Countries Analyzed in this Report
Agricultural Microbials Market Share (%), by Geographical Region
North America
North America holds the largest share of the agricultural microbials market, accounting for approximately 38%. The region is driven by a strong presence of biological product manufacturers, growing organic farming practices, and robust adoption of sustainable crop protection methods, especially in the United States and Canada.
Europe
Europe contributes around 26% to the global market. Stringent environmental regulations, increasing demand for chemical-free agricultural inputs, and growing consumer preference for organic produce are pushing adoption, with countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands leading the way.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific holds about 22% of the market, fueled by rapid agricultural expansion, government support for bio-based inputs, and heightened awareness of soil health management. China, India, and Japan are emerging as significant contributors to the region’s growth.
Middle East and Africa
The Middle East and Africa account for nearly 8% of the market. Increasing challenges related to soil degradation, climate resilience, and food security are encouraging farmers to shift towards microbial-based solutions that support sustainable farming in arid conditions.
Latin America
Latin America represents approximately 6% of the market, with Brazil and Argentina being the primary contributors. The growing cultivation of export-oriented crops and rising interest in biological crop inputs are enhancing the demand for agricultural microbials in the region.
Market Trends
This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Agricultural Microbials Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities.
Drivers:
- Rising Concerns Regarding Food Safety and Quality
- Growing Trend of Organic Farming
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Pest proliferation - Changes in temperature and humidity create favorable conditions for the proliferation of pests and diseases, leading to higher incidences of infestations and outbreaks in agricultural fields. Warmer temperatures can accelerate the reproductive rates of pests, shorten generation times, and expand their geographic ranges, posing a greater threat to crop health and productivity. Similarly, altered precipitation patterns can create moisture stress or waterlogging conditions that exacerbate disease development in crops.
Climate change influences the distribution and abundance of weed species, with some species thriving under warmer and drier conditions while others may decline. Changes in weed populations can alter competition dynamics with crops, necessitating adjustments in weed management strategies. Additionally, the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds adds complexity to weed control practices, requiring integrated approaches that incorporate cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods.
Droughts, floods, and storms associated with climate change pose immediate threats to crop production by causing direct damage to crops, soil erosion, and loss of agricultural infrastructure. Extreme weather events disrupt planting schedules, hinder crop growth and development, and increase vulnerability to secondary pest infestations and diseases. Moreover, erratic weather patterns make it challenging for farmers to predict and manage crop production risks effectively.
Climate variability influences the phenology and behavior of insect pests, affecting their life cycles, migration patterns, and interactions with host plants. Changes in temperature can synchronize pest emergence with susceptible crop stages, leading to intensified pest pressure and yield losses. Additionally, altered precipitation patterns may affect the availability of breeding sites and food sources for pests, influencing their population dynamics and spatial distribution.
Climate change introduces abiotic stress factors such as heat stress, water scarcity, salinity, and nutrient imbalances, which directly impact plant growth, physiology, and yield potential. Abiotic stressors weaken plant defenses and increase susceptibility to pest infestations and diseases, creating a feedback loop of stress and vulnerability in agricultural systems.
Restraints:
- High Development Costs
- Storage and Shelf Life
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Shorter shelf life and complex storage requirements of microbial products - Microbial products typically have a limited shelf life compared to synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The viability and efficacy of microbial formulations can diminish over time due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, moisture content, and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Short shelf life limits the storage duration and transportation flexibility of microbial products, leading to inventory management challenges for manufacturers, distributors, and end-users. Farmers may face difficulties in managing inventory turnover and ensuring product quality and effectiveness over extended periods, especially in regions with variable climatic conditions and seasonal demand fluctuations.
Microbial products often require specific storage conditions to maintain viability and stability throughout their shelf life. Factors such as temperature, humidity, light exposure, and container integrity can significantly impact the quality and performance of microbial formulations. Maintaining cold chain logistics or controlled environments during storage and transportation is essential to preserve the viability of live microbial cultures and prevent product degradation. However, implementing and maintaining such storage infrastructure can be costly and challenging, particularly in remote or resource-constrained regions with limited access to refrigeration facilities and reliable transportation networks.
Ensuring product quality and consistency is crucial for the efficacy and success of microbial-based solutions in agriculture. However, monitoring and maintaining quality assurance standards for microbial products require robust quality control measures, including routine testing, microbial viability assays, and stability studies. Manufacturers must invest in laboratory facilities, equipment, and expertise to assess product quality, potency, and shelf life under different storage conditions. Regulatory compliance and certification requirements further add complexity to the production, packaging, and labeling of microbial products, increasing the administrative burden and time-to-market for new formulations.
Microbial products are susceptible to contamination and spoilage during storage and handling, particularly if exposed to adverse environmental conditions or improper storage practices. Contamination by competing microorganisms or pathogens can compromise the efficacy and safety of microbial formulations, leading to product failure and crop damage. To mitigate the risk of contamination, manufacturers must adhere to strict sanitation protocols, implement quality control measures, and conduct regular inspections of production facilities and storage warehouses. Additionally, educating end-users about proper handling, storage, and application techniques is essential to minimize the risk of product spoilage and ensure optimal performance in the field.
Opportunities:
- Increasing Demand for Sustainable Agriculture
- Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
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Large-scale investments in R&D by key market players - The substantial investments in R&D enable market players to develop innovative microbial-based products tailored to specific agronomic needs and crop requirements. By leveraging cutting-edge biotechnological tools and techniques, companies can engineer novel microbial strains with enhanced traits, such as improved nutrient utilization, stress tolerance, and pest resistance. Innovative product formulations, including microencapsulation, nanoemulsions, and biodegradable carriers, enhance the stability, efficacy, and shelf-life of microbial inoculants, expanding their application potential across diverse cropping systems and environmental conditions.
R&D investments empower market players to expand their presence in existing markets and penetrate new geographical regions and crop segments. By conducting extensive field trials and validation studies, companies demonstrate the efficacy, performance, and economic benefits of their microbial products to farmers, agronomists, and agricultural stakeholders. Strategic partnerships and collaborations with distribution networks, agribusinesses, and research institutions facilitate market access and adoption of microbial-based solutions in emerging markets and niche crop sectors, unlocking new revenue streams and growth opportunities.
The focus on R&D enables market players to develop customized microbial solutions that address the evolving challenges and demands of sustainable agriculture. By understanding the complex interactions between soil microbiota, plant-microbe interactions, and environmental factors, companies can formulate tailored microbial blends and consortia optimized for specific soil types, climatic conditions, and cropping systems. These customized solutions promote soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience, while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs and mitigating environmental impacts, aligning with the goals of sustainable agricultural intensification and climate-smart farming practices.
Investments in R&D support the integration of bioinformatics, genomics, and data analytics into microbial research and product development pipelines. By harnessing big data analytics and machine learning algorithms, companies can unlock valuable insights into microbial diversity, functionality, and performance under field conditions. Bioinformatics tools enable the identification of novel microbial strains, genetic markers, and metabolic pathways with potential agronomic benefits, accelerating the discovery and optimization of microbial-based products for agricultural applications. Data-driven approaches also facilitate precision agriculture strategies, enabling targeted microbial interventions based on soil health indicators, crop phenology, and environmental cues, maximizing the efficiency and impact of microbial treatments on farm productivity and profitability.
Competitive Landscape Analysis
Key players in Global Agricultural Microbials Market include:
- Marrone Bio innovations
- Corteva Agriscience
- Certis Bioloigcals
- FMC Corporation
In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:
- Company Overview and Product Portfolio
- Key Developments
- Financial Overview
- Strategies
- Company SWOT Analysis
- Introduction
- Research Objectives and Assumptions
- Research Methodology
- Abbreviations
- Market Definition & Study Scope
- Executive Summary
- Market Snapshot, By Type
- Market Snapshot, By Function
- Market Snapshot, By Crop Type
- Market Snapshot, By Mode of Application
- Market Snapshot, By Region
- Agricultural Microbials Market Dynamics
- Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities
- Drivers
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Rising Concerns Regarding Food Safety and Quality
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Growing Trend of Organic Farming
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Pest proliferation
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- Restraints
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High Development Costs
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Storage and Shelf Life
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Shorter shelf life and complex storage requirements of microbial products
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- Opportunities
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Increasing Demand for Sustainable Agriculture
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Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
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Large-scale investments in R&D by key market players
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- Drivers
- PEST Analysis
- Political Analysis
- Economic Analysis
- Social Analysis
- Technological Analysis
- Porter's Analysis
- Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- Bargaining Power of Buyers
- Threat of Substitutes
- Threat of New Entrants
- Competitive Rivalry
- Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities
- Market Segmentation
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Type, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Protozoa
- Virus
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Function, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- Soil Amendment
- Crop Protection
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Crop Type, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- Cereals & Grains
- Oilseeds & Pulses
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Others
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Mode of Application, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- Foliar Spray
- Soil Treatment
- Seed Treatment
- Post-Harvest
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Geography, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Nordic
- Benelux
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Japan
- China
- India
- Australia & New Zealand
- South Korea
- ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Countries)
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- GCC
- Israel
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Rest of Latin America
- North America
- Agricultural Microbials Market, By Type, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
- Competitive Landscape
- Company Profiles
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Marrone Bio innovations
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Corteva Agriscience
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Certis Biologicals
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FMC Corporation
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- Company Profiles
- Analyst Views
- Future Outlook of the Market