Inoculant Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Type (Silage Inoculants and Agricultural Inoculants), By Microbes (Fungal, Bacterial, and Others), By Crop Type (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, Forage, and Others), By Form (Dry and Liquid), and Region

The inoculant market was valued at US$ 1,739.3 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period (2024-2030). The market is propelled by the rising requirement for environmentally friendly farming methods and the desire to boost crop yields without using excessive amounts of chemical fertilizers. Because inoculants can improve soil health and encourage nitrogen fixation, particularly in legume crops, farmers are using them more and more.

The expansion of eco-friendly agriculture techniques and organic farming is another factor driving the industry. However, low knowledge among farmers in underdeveloped nations and uneven outcomes in varying soil types and climates impede market development. The creation of more sophisticated inoculants suited to certain crops and geographical areas presents opportunities. Growing studies on microbial inoculants and an emphasis on biotechnology developments to improve soil fertility and crop yield are two important themes.

Key Players

The inoculant market share is inclusive of several companies such as Corteva Agriscience (US), BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), Novozymes A/S (Denmark), Cargill, Incorporated (US), Archer Daniels Midland Company (US), DSM (Netherlands), Chr. Hansen Holding A/S (Denmark), Lallemand Inc. (Canada), Kemin Industries, Inc (US), Verdesian Life Sciences (US), BIO-CAT (US), Microbial Biological Fertilizers International (South Africa), Agrauxine (US), Provita Supplements GmbH (Germany), NeuGen Biologicals Pvt Ltd (India), Precision Laboratories, LLC (US), Queensland Agricultural Seeds (Australia), XiteBio Technologies Inc. (Canada), Terramax, Inc. (US), Soil Technologies Corporation (US), Horticultural Alliance, LCC. (US), and Agri Life (India)

 Key Developments

• In January 2023, Accolade, a new biological growth enhancement liquid from VerdesianLife Science, is for crops that contain Azospirillum Brasilense, a fixing bacterium that may promote secondary lateral root systems and root development, which can boost yields and nutrient intake.
• In September 2022, Bioceres Crop Solutions and Syngenta Seedcare worked together to commercialize novel biological seed treatments, such as inoculants. Except for Argentina, Syngenta SeedCare was designated as the only distributor for Bioceres' biological treatments worldwide through this cooperation.

Inoculant Market Segmentation

By Type: Agricultural inoculants are the most common type in the inoculant market. Agricultural inoculants are crucial for boosting nutrient absorption, strengthening soil health, and raising crop yields. One example of an inoculant used for this purpose is nitrogen fixation in legume crops. These inoculants are extensively used in organic and sustainable farming systems, which is consistent with the global trend toward environmentally benign farming practices. The demand for agricultural inoculants is larger because of their crucial role in crop output and overall farm productivity, even though silage inoculants are significant in animal farming for enhancing feed quality and fermentation.

By Microbes: Bacterial inoculants are the most common kind in the market because they are widely used to increase soil fertility and stimulate plant development, especially in nitrogen fixation. Legume crops are frequently treated with bacteria like Rhizobium and Azospirillum to improve nitrogen absorption, which is essential for raising yields without using chemical fertilizers. Compared to fungal inoculants, these bacterial inoculants are more adaptable as they work well in a range of crops and soil conditions. Fungal inoculants predominate because of their proven efficacy and wider applicability, while mycorrhizae and other fungi are becoming more and more well-known for their ability to promote root development and nutrient absorption.

By Crop Type: Due to the importance of cereal crops for global agriculture and the strong need for long-term production increase, Cereal crops (rice, wheat, and corn) are frequently the most common crop type in the market. Without largely depending on artificial fertilizers, farmers can increase grain yield by using bacterial inoculants, especially ones that fix nitrogen. Cereal crops are a major target for inoculant treatments since they occupy a large amount of agricultural area and greatly contribute to global food security. Although inoculants are also widely used for Legume crops (such as soybeans and peas), particularly for nitrogen fixation, cereals are the most widely adopted because of their size, economic significance, and the requirement for improved soil health and crop yield.

By Form: Liquid inoculants are the most widely used type in the market because of their increased microbial viability, longer shelf life, and simplicity of application. Better adherence to seeds and soil is made possible by liquid formulations, which results in more successful inoculation. Additionally, they are more readily absorbed by crops, which improves soil health and fosters plant development. Although granular inoculants and powder are also utilized, especially for ease of use in specific machinery or application techniques, liquid inoculants are the preferred choice for large-scale agricultural operations because of their greater efficiency, versatility, and compatibility with a wide range of crops and soil types.