Seed Treatment Market - By Method (Chemical Seed Treatment, Biological Seed Treatment, Physical Seed Treatment) By Crop (Corn, Wheat, Barley, Oats, Soybean, Canola, Sunflower), By Formulation, By Equipment, By Function & Forecast, 2023-2032

Seed Treatment Market Size

Seed Treatment Market size surpassed USD 12.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to register more than 12.2% CAGR between 2023 and 2032. The increasing demand for high-quality food grains and the growing need for enhancing crop yield and productivity are the key factors complementing the market growth.

Seed treatment is the process of applying biological, chemical, or physical agents to seeds before planting to enhance their performance. The rising global population and the increasing demand for food have led to an increase in agricultural production. This has resulted in an increasing need for seed treatments to improve crop yields and productivity.

The seed treatment market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing awareness about the benefits of using seed treatments. Seed treatments help in protecting seeds from pests and diseases, increasing germination rates, and improving plant growth. The use of seed treatments also reduces the risk of crop failure, which is a major concern for farmers.

The market is also being propelled by the development of advanced seed treatment technologies. Seed treatment manufacturers are investing heavily in research & development to introduce improved seed treatment products that offer better protection against pests and diseases. These advancements in seed treatment technology will boost the market development.

North America and Europe market to see significant growth owing to the increasing adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and the rising organic food demand. The global seed treatment market is expected to observe significant growth due to the increasing demand for high-quality food grains, the development of advanced seed treatment technologies, and the rising adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the global seed treatment market, as it disrupted the supply chain and production activities of seed treatment products. The pandemic led to a decline in the demand for seed treatment products, as the closure of several agriculture-related businesses and restrictions on transportation and logistics disrupted the distribution channels for seed treatment products.

The pandemic led to a decrease in the availability of labor for agricultural activities and disrupted the procurement of raw materials for seed treatment products. This led to a decrease in the production capacity of seed treatment manufacturers and a subsequent decline in the supply of seed treatment products.
 

The declining number of COVID-19 cases and the gradual easing of restrictions on agricultural activities have led to a resurgence in the market from the second quarter of 2021. The increasing demand for high-quality food grains, the growing need for enhancing crop yield and productivity, and the development of advanced seed treatment technologies boost the market growth.

Seed Treatment Market Trends

The increasing demand for high-quality food grains and the growing need for enhancing crop yield and productivity are augmenting the growth of the global market. The use of seed treatment products has become a common practice among farmers to protect crops against pests, diseases, and other environmental stressors. Seed treatments improve the overall health of the plant, enhance seedling emergence, and reduce the risk of seed and soil-borne diseases.

The implementation of advanced seed treatment technologies such as biological seed treatments and seed coating techniques has further expand the market growth. The development of new formulations and seed treatment products that are more effective and sustainable is likely to push market growth. The increasing adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops and the need for improving seed germination rates are expected to propel the seed treatment market growth.

GM crops offer several benefits such as resistance to pests and diseases, drought tolerance, and increased crop yield. The growing demand for organic and non-GM crops has led to the development of seed treatment products that are eco-friendly and sustainable. The increasing awareness about the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on the environment and human health has led to a shift towards organic and natural seed treatment products.

Strong application in the agriculture sector as an active herbicide agent is likely to propel the glyphosate market growth. It is used to prevent the growth of unwanted broadleaf weed, thus augmenting the agricultural production. It also aids in stimulating plant growth & supports ripening of certain crops such as cotton, canola, soybean, berry crops, and corn.

Essential oils market size which are used for biological seed treatment segment crossed USD 10.5 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to exhibit over 9% CAGR between 2023 and 2032, because of the insecticidal & antimicrobial properties which results as an alternative to synthetic chemicals.

Botanical extracts market reached USD 6 billion in 2022 and is forecast to see about 7% growth rate from 2023 to 2032. These naturally derived extracts possess properties which include antimicrobial, insecticidal and antifungal which are useful for controlling pests, diseases and insects that affect young plants & seed.

Seed Treatment Market Analysis

Based on crop, The seed treatment market is segmented into various types based on the crops they are used for. The segmentation includes corn, wheat, barley, oats, soybean, canola, sunflower, tomato, apple, citrus, carrot, cabbage, pepper, and others. These crops are highly susceptible to diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Seed treatments provide a protective shield to these crops, preventing them from getting infected and thereby ensuring a higher yield. Soybean, sunflower, cotton, and canola, these crops are treated with seed treatments to prevent diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens, which can lead to poor germination, seedling death, and reduced yield. Seed treatments also protect the plants from insect attacks, thereby ensuring a healthy and robust crop.

For apple, cabbage, carrot, and tomato crops, seed treatments are used to protect these crops from diseases caused by pathogens such as fungi and viruses. These treatments also improve the seedling establishment and plant growth, resulting in a higher yield.

Based on equipment, the seed treatment market is segmented into seed coaters, seed treaters, seed primers, seed disinfection systems, and others. Seed coaters are pieces of machinery that are used to apply coats or treatments to the surface of seeds. These coatings may contain polymers, colourants, nutritional supplements, or active substances such as fungicides, insecticides, or growth regulators.

 Seed coaters apply the desired coating to the seed surface in a consistent and precise manner, providing protection and improving seed performance. Seed treaters are equipment designed to apply liquid or powder treatments to seeds. They are commonly used to apply treatments such as fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, inoculants, or biocontrol agents to the seeds. To achieve thorough and uniform distribution of the treatment onto the seed, seed treaters use a combination of mechanical, pneumatic, and fluid delivery techniques.

Seed primers are specialised tools used to improve seed germination and early growth. Priming is the process of exposing seeds to controlled wetting and drying cycles to promote consistent germination and emergence. Seed primers are often made up of chambers or compartments in which seeds are exposed to appropriate moisture and temperature conditions to accelerate germination.

The global seed treatment market is analyzed across several regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America held the largest market share in 2022, accounting for a significant portion of the market revenue. The growth in this region can be attributed to several factors, such as the presence of many prominent players engaged in seed treatment products, increasing adoption of advanced seed treatment technologies, and rising demand for high-quality and efficient crop protection methods.

Europe is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period, owing to the increasing focus on sustainable farming practices and the adoption of innovative crop protection technologies. The region is home to a significant number of agriculture-based economies, which fuels the demand for high-quality and efficient seed treatment products.
 

The Asia Pacific region is slated to exhibit a lucrative growth, on account of the increasing population, rising demand for food, and growing awareness about the benefits of seed treatment. The region is home to several agriculture-based economies, including India and China, which are expected to fuel the demand for seed treatment products.  

Seed Treatment Market Share

The seed treatment market is dominated by a handful of major players including :

• Syngenta AG
• Bayer AG
• BASF SE
• Corteva Agriscience
•  FMC Corporation

These companies have a significant market share due to their wide range of seed treatment products and solutions. The companies invest in research & development to create innovative and sustainable solutions that improve seed health and crop yields.
 

Strategic partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions are frequently employed to expand their market share and increase revenue. These industry leaders aim to provide farmers with the best seed treatment solutions that are effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
 

Seed Treatment Industry News:

• In February 2023, DPH Biologicals has launched a new multi-action biofungicide seed treatment, BellaTrove Companion Maxx ST, to meet the increasing demand for sustainable crop protection. The seed treatment, derived from the company's proprietary strain of a plant-stimulating rhizobacterium, helps seedlings fight pathogens and ensures healthy root systems while improving nutrient uptake and root health. 
   
• In January 2023, Ohio State University Extension State Small Grains and Soybean Specialist, Dr. Laura Lindsey, is conducting research evaluating nine different biological seed treatments with various active ingredients in Ohio as part of a larger research project conducted by the North Central Soybean Research Program, involving 17 states and over 50 individual field locations. Funded by the Ohio Soybean Council, the research aims to provide information about biological treatments from 100 locations across the country, comparing nine different biological seed treatments to a non-treated control with fungicide and insecticide seed treatment. As the biological seed treatment market is expanding rapidly, the research will help farmers understand the role that biological treatments may play in soybean production and the claims made about the various products.
   

This seed treatment market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million & Units from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments.

By Method

• Chemical Seed Treatment
  • Insecticides
    • Organophosphates
    • Pyrethroids
    • Neonicotinoids
    • Others (including Carbamates, Organochlorines, etc.)
  • Fungicides
    • Triazoles
    • Strobilurins
    • Carboxamides
    • Others (including Dithiocarbamates, Benzimidazoles, etc.)
  • Herbicides
    • Glyphosate
    • Acetochlor
    • Metolachlor
    • Others (including Atrazine, Pendimethalin, etc.)
  • Other Chemicals
    • Rodenticides
    • Plant Growth Regulators
    • Desiccants
    • Others (including Surfactants, Colorants, etc.)
• Biological Seed Treatment
  • Microbials
    • Biofungicides
    • Bioinsecticides
    • Bionematicides
    • Others (including Baculovirus, Nucleopolyhedrovirus, etc.)
  • Botanicals
    • Plant Extracts
    • Essential Oils
    • Others (including Azadirachtin, Rotenone, etc.)
    • Others
  • Beneficial Nematodes
    • Mycorrhizal Fungi
    • Trichoderma
    • Others (including Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus cereus, etc.)
• Physical Seed Treatment
• Thermo-Dynamic Seed Treatment
  • Hot Water Treatment
  • Hot Air Treatment
  • Radiofrequency Treatment
  • Others (including Steam Treatment, Dry Heat Treatment, etc.)
• Priming
  • Hydropriming
  • Osmopriming
  • Biopriming
  • Others (including Halo-priming, Hormonal Priming, etc.)
• Others
  • Seed Vaccination
  • Seed Chipping
  • Seed Scarification
  • Others (including Seed Pulsing, Seed Pelleting, etc.)

By Crop

• Corn
• Wheat
• Barley
• Oats
• Soybean
• Canola
• Sunflower
• Tomato
• Apple
• Citrus
• Carrot
• Cabbage
• Pepper
• Other Crops

 By Formulation

• DS (Powder for dry seed treatment)
• WG (Water dispersible granules)
• CF (Capsule suspension)
• FS (Flowable concentrate)
• ES (Emulsion)
• LS (Liquid solution)
• WS (Water dispersible powder for slurry treatment)
• SS (Water soluble powder)
• GF (Gels)

By Equipment

• Seed coaters
• Seed treaters
• Seed primers
• Seed disinfection systems
• Others

By Function

• Key function trends
• Fungicidal Protection
• Bactericidal Protection
• Virucidal Protection
• Insecticidal Protection
• Nematicidal Protection
• Seed priming
• Seed coating
• Seed pelleting
• Others

By region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada 
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Malaysia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE