The global bacterial biopesticides market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% during 2016-2021 forecast period. The market value is expected to reach $ 3310.4 million by 2021 from an estimated $ 1380 million in 2015. Bacterial biopesticides form the major part of microbial application in agriculture as they consist of a microorganism (bacterium) as the main active ingredient. Microbes or microorganisms are small, microscopic creatures that live in soil, water, food, animal intestines and other different environments.
Many beneficial soil microbes including bacteria are readily used in agricultural practices as they help in decomposing organic matter, releasing nitrogen and controlling plant diseases etc. Hence, bacteria have got various applications in agricultural sector as biofertilizers, biopesticides, bioinsecticides, biofungicides etc. Bacteria based pesticides control different kinds of pests, such as moths, butterfly, lepidoptera, and bacterial pathogens, etc.
Bacteria microbials enhance the nutrient transportation process, improve soil health condition, control disease outbreak and so help in enhancing holistic plant health. Growing concern over yield and food security, increasing popularity of organic agriculture and biopesticide are identified as some of the major factors for market growth. However, low adoption and lack of awareness about the product application and usability have been constraining market growth in many parts of the world. Evolving market in the developing regions of Asia-Pacific and Latin America would provide further growth opportunity in agricultural microbial demand.
The global bacterial biopesticides market has been segmented on the basis of bacteria type, mode of application, crop application and by geography. The type segment is explained on the basis of bacteria strains; the usage of bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis is highest and is expected to grow substantially in agriculture sector. Some of the other bacterial microbes are Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas Fluorescens and others. By mode of application, the market is segmented as on-farm application, seed treatment and post-harvest application. By application, the market consists four crop types- Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds, Fruits & Vegetables and Others. Application of bacterial pesticides in fruits and vegetables crops accounts for the majority of market share by application.
At around 35% of the global market share, North America is the largest market for bacterial biopesticides which is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.4%. Europe is the second largest market for microbials and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.9%. The Asia-Pacific region led by countries like India and China, is expected to witness fastest growth in terms of demand. In South America, Brazil is seen to grow rapidly in order to lessen the dependence on agrochemicals.
Leading companies in the bacterial biopesticides industry are actively involved in developing new products, manufacturing technology adoption and distribution reach to garner the growing market demand. Major players identified here are- Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), KOPPERT B.V. (Netherlands), BASF and Bayer etc. Merger & acquisition and new product launches are being implemented by global players for expansion.