Agricultural Microbial Market

The global agricultural microbial market size was estimated at USD 6.63 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2024 to 2034. Agricultural microbes refer to microorganisms that are used in agriculture to enhance plant growth, improve soil fertility, and protect crops from pests and diseases.  Growing consumer preference for organic food and increased need for agricultural sustainability are driving the demand in the market significantly.

Increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly farming is driving growth in the market significantly. The use of agricultural microbes is seen as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Rapidly growing population is increasing the demand for wheat, rice, maize, barley, fruits, and vegetables, which is indirectly contributing to the growth of the market.

Growth Drivers

Growing environmental concerns over synthetic pesticides and fertilizers—linked to soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions—are pushing farmers and policymakers toward eco-friendly alternatives. Agricultural microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, enhance soil health, boost crop yields, and reduce chemical dependency, aligning with global sustainability goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Innovations in genomics, biotechnology, and formulation are making microbial products more effective, stable, and accessible.

Soil degradation from overuse of chemicals has sparked a focus on restoring microbial diversity and organic matter. Rising awareness about organic farming is driving growth in the market significantly. The agricultural microbial market is growing rapidly due to a convergence of environmental, regulatory, and societal pressures, alongside technological progress.

Segmentation

Agricultural Microbial Market by Product

·         Bacteria

·         Fungi

·         Protozoa

·         Virus

Agricultural microbial market by Formulation

·         Liquid

·         Dry

Agricultural Microbial Market by Application

·         Foliar

·         Soil

·         Seed

·         Others

Agricultural Microbial market by Crop Type

·         Cereals & Grains

·         Oilseeds & Pulses

·         Fruits & Vegetables

·         Others

By Region

·         Asia-Pacific

·         North America

·         Latin America

·         Middle East and Africa

·         Europe

Agricultural Microbial Market by Product

On the basis of the product, the agricultural microbial market is segmented into bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Bacteria represent the leading segment by type. Their prominence is attributed to their diverse applications in promoting plant growth and protecting crops from diseases. Bacteria strains such as Bacillus and Pseudomonas are extensively used for their growth-promoting properties and biocontrol capabilities.

Bacteria support the global shift to sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical inputs and improving soil resilience. Bacteria lead the agricultural microbial market in 2025 because they offer a trifecta of versatility, efficacy, and affordability, perfectly aligned with global sustainability trends and farmer needs. Their dominance is reinforced by decades of use, strong industry backing, and adaptability across regions and crops.

Agricultural Microbial Market by Crop Type

On the basis of the crop type, the agricultural microbial market is segmented into cereals & grains, oilseeds & pulses, fruits & vegetables, and others. Cereals and grains are the largest segment in the market and are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period due to their unmatched scale, compatibility with microbial solutions, and critical role in addressing food security and sustainability.

Their dominance is reinforced by regional production patterns, cost advantages, and regulatory shifts, making them the primary target for microbial innovation and adoption. Cereals and grains are grown on vast monoculture fields, where cost-efficient inputs like microbes provide economies of scale. Increasing demand for rice, wheat, corn, and barley with global population rapidly increasing with time is driving growth in the market significantly. As staple foods providing over 50% of global calories, cereals and grains are prioritized to feed a growing population (8.2 billion in 2025, heading to 9.7 billion by 2050).

The global organic food market, heavily skewed toward fruits and vegetables, relies on microbes for pest control and soil fertility. Fruits and vegetables often have shorter growing seasons and higher crop turnover, requiring rapid, effective inputs. Rapidly growing populations all over the world are significantly contributing to the demand for cereals and grains.

Regional Outlook

On the basis of the regions, the agricultural microbial market is segmented into 5 regions: Asia-Pacific, North America, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe. North America is the leading region in the agricultural microbial market due to high awareness of sustainable farming practices and microbial benefits, such as soil health improvement and pest control. Farmers in the U.S. and Canada are increasingly using microbial-based biofertilizers and biopesticides to reduce chemical inputs and improve soil health.

Government policies and incentives favor eco-friendly farming practices, encouraging the use of agricultural microbes. North America has well-established agricultural research institutions and biotechnology firms investing in microbial solutions. The demand for organic food is rising, and it is driving the need for natural and microbial-based crop protection and fertilizers.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the agricultural-microbial market, projected to hold 20-25% market share during the forecast period. China and India are the region’s largest organic producers, with 3 million and 4.43 million hectares of organic farmland, respectively (based on 2021 data, with growth since). Microbial is critical for pest control and soil fertility in these systems. Governments are restricting chemical pesticides due to health and environmental risks. China’s 2022 pesticide reduction targets and India’s bans on 27 hazardous pesticides (2020) favor microbial alternatives. Microbials are increasingly affordable (e.g., biofertilizers cost $5–10/ha vs. $20–30/ha for chemicals), appealing to smallholder farmers, who dominate the region’s agriculture. The presence of key players in the Asia-Pacific region is the key factor behind the significant growth in the market.

Europe is the second largest market during the forecast period. The region is witnessing significant growth in sustainable and organic farming. High demand for microbial fungicides and biofertilizers, with biopesticides gaining traction in vineyards and orchards. Key players in the region like BASF, Bayer (post-Monsanto integration), and Syngenta lead, alongside startups like Koppert Biological Systems (Netherlands), are driving growth significantly in the market. The agricultural microbial market is growing rapidly due to a convergence of environmental, regulatory, and societal pressures, alongside technological progress.

Key Players

·         Certis

·         Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.

·         BASF SE

·         Novozymes

·         Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

·         Koppert Biological Systems

·         Andermatt Biocontrol AG

·         Corteva Agriscience

·         FMC Corporation

·         Other Players