The New Biopesticide Market

Report Highlights

• The synthetic pesticides market is expected to show a declining trend at the rate of 1.5% per annum. At the same time the biopesticide market is growing and expected to reach more than a billion dollars in the next five years.
• Key developments expected in the coming years are more R&D in biopesticides, an increase in genetically modified crops, the application of integrated pest management concepts, and a widening of organic farming.
• Biopesticides today represent about 2.5% of the overall pesticides market, and are expected to grow to about 4.2% by 2010.
• Orchard crops hold the largest share of biopesticides use at 55%.

INTRODUCTION

The demand for nature-based biopesticides is rising steadily in all parts of the world. This is because of increased public awareness of the environment, and the pollution potential and health hazards related to many conventional pesticides. Extensive and systematic research has enhanced the effectiveness of biopesticides. Also, the techniques for their mass production, storage, transport and application have improved in recent years.

Biopesticides are safer then conventional pesticides that often are hazardous chemicals. They offer much more activity targeted to the desired pests as opposed to conventional pesticides that often affect a broad spectrum of pests as well as birds and mammalian species. Often they are effective in very small quantities, thereby offering lower exposure. They decompose quickly. Lastly, they can supplement conventional pesticides when used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Such programs offer high crop yields while dramatically reducing conventional pesticide use.

Research centers worldwide are undertaking efforts aimed at improving techniques for the augmentation and application of biopesticides, with the objective of improving the commercial feasibility of producing and using them.

As a result, there is an urgent need for this comprehensive report on biopesticides that covers technology, demand trends, project opportunities and investment levels. It also examines the worldwide commercial applications of biopesticides, their markets and growth opportunities.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This timely report covers:

• Global markets for biopesticides by enduse and type
• Emerging trends of pesticide applications in agricultural operations
• Technological developments including some of the patents in the field
• Regulatory environment and compliance testing
• Market shares of major companies
• Profiles of and contact information for major players in the field.
• Important formulations to show how these products are being used.

METHODOLOGY

This study is based on exhaustive primary and secondary research in addition to the information in the in-house database.

The primary research includes consultation with industry experts in the field including contacts with companies actively involved in this field and with trade associations.

Secondary research includes extensive literature reviews including trade journals, seminar proceedings and patent literature, company literature, published reports and government publications.

CREDENTIALS OF THE ANALYST

The study has been carried out by a team of chemical engineering consultants led by Senior Consultant Mr. N. S. Venkataraman, a Chemical Engineer with over 30 years of experience in various functions relating to chemical, pharmaceutical and allied industries. Other team members include Mr. T. K. Parija, Mr. D. Panneerselvam, Ms. P. Govindanayagi and Ms. K. Geetha. All the members of the team are practicing chemical engineers or chemists and with extensive experience as consultant in the chemical and allied industries.

The project manager for this project was Dr. Yatin B. Thakore, with over 15 years of industry experience in chemical and allied fields.