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Nonwoven Crop Cover Market is expected to demonstrate robust growth from 2024 to 2032, owing the increase in textile production and exports. As per data from the National Council of Textile Organizations, the exports of fibers, apparel, and textiles reached USD 28.4 billion in 2021. This proliferation of textile production and exports is boosting the application of nonwovens in products, such as crop covers across the agriculture sector. The increasing usage of biodegradable and recyclable materials to align with global sustainability goals is also prompting the preference for sustainable and environmentally friendly nonwoven crop cover materials. The increasing government initiatives for promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation will also prove favorable for the industry expansion.
The escalating investments in climate-smart farming techniques is another prominent factor fostering the nonwoven crop cover industry growth. For example, in September 2022, the USDA announced a USD 2.8 billion investment in 70 projects under the first round of the funding program, Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Such investments, along with the rising popularity of greenhouse farming will favor the adoption of nonwoven cloth to optimize crop productivity. The continuous innovations in nonwoven manufacturing technologies is leading to the development of various materials to render enhanced durability, UV resistance, and better breathability to optimize growing conditions, further contributing to the product adoption.
With respect to packaging, the demand for sheet-cut nonwoven crop covers will proliferate by 2032, driven by the rapid introduction of energy-efficient nonwoven fabric cutting machines to render superior quality, high performance, and stability features. Sheet-cut covers can be customized to fit specific crop rows and areas for offering targeted protection against various threats. The pressing need for successful seed germination and promoting early growth stages is also propelling the usage of these crop covers to create a controlled environment for optimizing conditions for seedling development. Increasing adoption to improve crop protection and render resistance against tear and stress will boost the segment expansion.
Based on application, the nonwoven crop cover market share from the fruit bags segment will demonstrate a strong growth rate through 2032, due to the rise in fruit exports in developing nations. As per statistics from the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India exported fresh fruits worth USD 770.70 million during 2022-23. The increasing prevalence of fruit fungal diseases is also encouraging farmers to develop quality fruit produce and escalate the use of nonwoven crop covers to aid the prevention of fruit fungus spots.
From a regional perspective, the North America market size is set to rise appreciably over 2024-2032, led by the growing impacts of snow and hail on crops. The strong focus on sustainable and eco-friendly materials in agriculture across the region is driving the popularity of nonwoven crop covers made from biodegradable and recyclable materials. The rise in organic farming and integrated pest management practices, growth of the greenhouse and nursery sector, and the dominance of precision agriculture will further contribute to the regional product adoption.
Major firms in the nonwoven crop cover industry are focusing on strategic mergers and acquisitions, business expansions, and partnerships to gain competitive edges and strengthen their global presence. They are also placing targeted efforts on new product launches to cater to the escalating end-user requirements.
Leading nonwoven crop cover industry players include:
In February 2023, Mitsui Chemicals, and Asahi Kasei entered a partnership to establish a joint venture company for integrating the development, manufacturing and sales of non-woven fabric-related products in Japan and Thailand.