Overview
The global market for biostimulants reached US$4,202.12 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$10,589.02 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% during the forecast period 2025-2032.
The global biostimulants market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, improved crop productivity, and environmental protection. The market is expanding rapidly, with technological advancements, regulatory support, and increasing awareness among farmers contributing to its growth.
Extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and heat stress are negatively impacting crop yields. Biostimulants, particularly seaweed extracts, betaine, and silicon-based products, help plants develop resistance to abiotic stress by strengthening their natural defense mechanisms. For instance, environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures can severely reduce plant growth and crop yields. Biostimulants make plants more resilient to these stresses by activating their defense mechanisms. For example, they can induce the production of stress-related proteins and antioxidants that protect cells from damage.
Additionally, the rapid growth of organic farming and residue-free agriculture is fueling the demand for biostimulants. Regulatory bodies such as the European Union, USDA, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are actively encouraging the use of biostimulants as sustainable inputs. With organic food consumption on the rise, farmers are shifting toward biostimulants as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Biostimulants Market Trend
The biostimulants market is increasingly driven by the growing adoption of microbial and biological formulations, with a strong focus on sustainability and soil regeneration. For instance, in 2024, Rovensa Next launched Wiibio, a microbial biofertilizer based on Bacillus subtilis F1, designed to improve soil biodiversity and plant vitality, particularly relevant in Europe, where over 60% of soils are considered degraded.
Similarly, Bionema Group Ltd introduced seven new microbial biostimulant products in 2023, following over ten years of R&D. These innovations demonstrated the potential to reduce fertilizer use by up to 50% without negatively impacting yield.
Regulatory support is also reinforcing this trend, as seen with the European Union’s 2019/1009 regulation, which formally categorized biostimulants and encouraged the use of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs). With a growing shift toward low-input, regenerative agriculture, microbial biostimulants are expected to gain broader adoption across global markets, offering long-term agronomic and environmental benefits.
Market Scope
Metrics | Details |
By Ingredient | Acids, Microbial, Seaweed Extracts and Others |
By Form | Liquid and Solid |
By Crop Type | Cereals and Grains, Fruits and Vegetables, Oil Seeds, Turf and Ornamental and Others |
By Application | Foliar, Soil and Seed |
By Region | North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa |
Report Insights Covered | Competitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth |
Market Dynamics
Rising Organic Farming
The growing demand for organic food has led farmers to adopt organic farming practices, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Biostimulants, which enhance nutrient uptake and plant growth naturally, align perfectly with organic farming principles.
For instance, in Europe, plant biostimulants are regulated under the EU Fertilizing Products Regulation (FPR), Regulation (EU) 2019/1009, which came into effect on July 16, 2022, defining them as products that stimulate plant nutrition processes, aiming to improve nutrient use efficiency and other plant traits.
Additionally, according to the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC), it actively engages with policymakers and regulatory bodies to address challenges and facilitate smoother market entry for biostimulants. This includes working on issues related to animal by-products, microbials, and industrial by-products. Regular workshops and discussions with European Commission representatives and notified bodies ensure that the biostimulant industry’s concerns are heard and addressed. With climate change and soil degradation posing a very real threat to food security and farmer livelihoods, EBIC’s 2024 manifesto puts forward a vision that leverages the power of plant biostimulants to address these issues head-on.
Additionally, the global shift toward organic food consumption is a major factor driving the biostimulants market. Consumers are increasingly choosing chemical-free and sustainably grown produce, prompting farmers to adopt organic farming practices. Since synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are restricted in organic farming, biostimulants serve as a natural alternative to enhance crop growth, soil fertility, and stress tolerance.
For instance, Europe is a global leader in organic farming, with significant variations in organic agricultural land across its countries. According to the FiBL-AMI Survey 2024, Italy leads with 2.95 million hectares of organic farmland, closely followed by Spain (2.92 million ha) and France (2.92 million ha). Germany ranks fourth with 1.92 million hectares, while the UK has 501,902 hectares under organic cultivation.
Variability in Product Quality
One of the major challenges restraining the growth of the biostimulants market is the inconsistency in product quality and efficacy. Since the industry is still in its early stages of development, quality control standards remain unstandardized, leading to concerns regarding product reliability and effectiveness.
Many biostimulant products may lack proper ingredient concentration, contain unverified compounds, or fail to deliver the promised benefits, ultimately reducing farmer trust and market penetration.
For instance, a study conducted in Europe found that nearly 30% of biostimulant products tested did not contain the listed active ingredients in the claimed concentrations.
This inconsistency creates uncertainty for farmers, who need products that provide predictable and measurable benefits for their crops. Similarly, in the US, the Biostimulant Industry Working Group (BIWG) has highlighted that the lack of uniform product definitions and quality benchmarks makes it difficult for regulatory authorities to enforce labeling and performance claims, leading to skepticism among agricultural producers.
Furthermore, the need for more transparency and standardized testing procedures has made it difficult for biostimulant manufacturers to gain credibility. While organizations like the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC) and the USDA are working towards developing clearer regulatory frameworks, the current lack of enforcement remains a hurdle for widespread market adoption.
Segment Analysis
The global biostimulants market is segmented based on ingredient, form, crop type, application and region.
Acid-Based Biostimulants Gaining Ground as Key Drivers of Sustainable Crop Productivity
The acids segment significantly drives the growth of the global biostimulants market, with humic acids, fulvic acids, and amino acids widely used to improve plant health, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. Humic and fulvic acids are particularly essential in regions with poor soil fertility, such as Africa and India, where they enhance soil structure, microbial activity, and root development.
Practical adoption is evident across key markets. In 2024, Spanish vineyards and olive farms increasingly used humic acid biostimulants to improve drought resistance and crop yields, while US soybean and corn farmers integrated fulvic acid-based treatments to enhance nutrient uptake and reduce chemical fertilizer reliance. Amino acid biostimulants are also gaining traction in China and Japan, especially in horticulture, to improve flowering and crop resilience.
Leading agrochemical companies, including Valagro and UPL, are actively investing in acid-based biostimulant innovations to meet the growing demand for sustainable and high-efficiency farming solutions. The continued expansion of this segment is supported by its proven benefits in soil health improvement, plant stress management, and yield enhancement across diverse agricultural systems.
Geographical Penetration
Biostimulant Growth in Europe Fueled by Innovation and Sustainability
Europe’s biostimulants market was valued at US$1,564.87 million in 2024 and is estimated to reach US$3,635.28 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period from 2025-2032.
The demand for biostimulants in the European market is growing due to sustainable farming practices, environmental regulations, government policies, technological innovation and product launches. For instance, in February 2025, Bioiberica, a global life sciences company, has launched Terra-Sorb granum, an innovative solution for optimizing the nutrition of field crops like cereals, legumes, and oilseeds. The product maximizes nitrogen and sulfur absorption, boosting productivity, especially under stress conditions. The new biostimulant's unique formula combines L-α-amino acids with sulfur, boron, zinc, and molybdenum, offering a unique solution for modern agriculture.
Moreover, in March 2024, UPM Biochemicals has launched UPM SolargoTM, a range of bio-based plant stimulants, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil raw materials-based products. These biostimulants are scientifically proven to benefit a wide range of crops in fields and greenhouses, with a significantly optimized environmental footprint.
Similarly, in February 2024, Bioiberica, a global life sciences company, has introduced Terra-Sorb SymBiotic, the first biostimulant probiotic that enhances the unique symbiosis between biostimulation and biofertilization through its exclusive Priming Tech™ technology.
Furthermore, the significant partnerships and collaborations, expansion, growing awareness of soil health and sustainable agriculture practices encourage farmers to use and adapt to the bio-based products. For instance, Syngenta and TraitSeq are partnered to develop high-performance biostimulants using AI. Syngenta, a leader in crop biology, will use TraitSeq's AI methods to identify biomarkers that indicate a plant's cellular state.
Competitive Landscape
The major global players in the market include Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., BASF SE, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, UPL Ltd, Yara, Corteva, Nufarm, PI Industries, Haifa Group and Bayer AG.
Key Developments
In 2022, Bayer introduced "Ambition" in China, boosting crop growth, stress resistance, and yield while ensuring soil protection and consumer safety. With ongoing R&D investments and new formulations, amino acid biostimulants continue to support sustainable agriculture and global market expansion.
For instance, in 2023, Bionema Group Ltd, a leading biocontrol technology developer and manufacturer, has announced the launch of a new range of biostimulant products in the UK for use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and turf and amenities. Having completed its ten years of R&D research on a range of biostimulants, Bionema Group is launching seven products, including seaweed extracts, and other natural nutrients that cover all stages of plant growth, with foliar and root applications in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and turf and amenities.
In April 2025, the government of Mexico announced a substantial investment of US$ 2.6 billion to modernize irrigation systems. This initiative aims to reduce agricultural water consumption, which currently accounts for about 76% of the country's total water use, by up to 50% through advanced irrigation technologies. This type of large public investment not only boosts domestic market growth but also sets a precedent for other water-stressed nations, reinforcing global momentum toward microirrigation adoption.
For instance, in December 2023, Yara launched its first biostimulant product, YaraAmplix, in China, which aims to maximize crop yield and quality via improvement of crop resilience. YaraAmplix is a highly concentrated liquid biostimulant containing the yellow tang extract. The product has a high content of bioactive ingredients, which activates the natural mechanism of plants, improves nutrient utilization efficiency, effectively promotes crop growth and improves plant tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought or extreme temperature. It makes crops more resilient and also helps mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
DMI Insights
The global biostimulants market, while experiencing robust growth, faces limited adoption due to factors such as high product costs, lack of awareness, regulatory inconsistencies, and limited technical expertise among farmers. Smallholder farmers, particularly in developing regions, often lack access to training, financing, and infrastructure, which restricts their ability to shift from conventional agrochemicals to bio-based inputs. Despite proven benefits in enhancing crop resilience, soil health, and nutrient efficiency, many growers remain hesitant due to a lack of demonstrated field results and confidence in product efficacy.
To overcome these barriers, expanding government support through input subsidies, inclusion in organic farming schemes, and clear regulatory frameworks—similar to the EU's Regulation (EU) 2019/1009—is critical. Parallelly, increasing investment in farmer education, field demonstrations, and region-specific product development can drive adoption. Companies should focus on affordable, performance-driven solutions tailored to local soil and climate conditions, while partnerships between agri-tech firms and research organizations can accelerate innovation and trust. Strengthening distribution networks and digital advisory services will further improve access and awareness, positioning biostimulants as a core component of sustainable agriculture worldwide.
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Target Audience 2024
Manufacturers/ Buyers
Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
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Emerging Companies
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