The Europe Biofertilizer Market size is estimated at USD 1.04 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.63 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.40% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Key Highlights
- Mycorrhiza is the Largest Form : Mycorrhiza is the most consumed biofertilizer in the European region. Mycorrhiza helps in reducing the intake of arsenic in plants which drives the usage of mycorrizha.
- Rhizobium is the Fastest-growing Form : Rhizobium is the second most consumed biofertilizer which accounted for 13.2 % in 2022 aand fruit & vegetable crops accounted for 20.3 % of rhizobium consumption.
- Row Crops is the Largest Crop Type : The major row crops in the European region include Barley, corn, wheat, rapeseed, rye, sunflower, soybean, rice, etc. Mycorrhiza accounted for 62.3% share in the year 2022.
- France is the Largest Country : France is the largest market in the European Region for biofertilizers. Application of biofertilizers in the crops wheat, barley, corn, & potatoes was proven to be effective.
Europe Biofertilizer Market Trends
Mycorrhiza is the largest Form
- Biofertilizers are living microorganisms that can enhance plant nutrition by either mobilizing or increasing nutrient availability in soils. The most common microorganisms used as biofertilizers in agriculture include mycorrhiza, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria.
- Among these biofertilizers, mycorrhiza is most predominantly used in Europe and accounted for a market share of 62.8% in 2022, with a value of USD 54.9 million. Mycorrhiza is a fungus that establishes a symbiotic relationship with the plant root system. It increases the root surface area of plants, enhancing their nutrient uptake.
- Rhizobium is the most important nitrogen-fixing bacterium that exists in a symbiotic relationship with plants and lives in the root nodules of leguminous plants. Rhizobium is the second most consumed biofertilizer in the region, accounting for a share of 13.2% in 2022.
- It has been found that 40-250 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year is fixed in different legume crops by the microbial activities of Rhizobium. The European Union is planning to transition toward sustainable plant protein production by expanding the area under leguminous crop cultivation. This move may potentially drive the Rhizobium segment of the market.
- Azospirillum and Azotobacter are free-living, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that can fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available to plants in a non-symbiotic manner. Biological nitrogen fixation contributes to soil fertility and crop productivity. Due to the increasing demand for food production, the use of Azotobacter in the European region is anticipated to grow.
France is the largest Country
- The European biofertilizer market has experienced significant growth in recent years, primarily driven by the increasing demand for organically grown food in countries like Germany, France, and Italy. During the historical period (2017-2022), the region’s organically cultivated area grew from 4.9 million ha to 7.3 million ha, resulting in a 28.1% increase in the biofertilizer market.
- To support the growth of organic farming practices in Europe, in 2021, the European Commission unveiled an action plan to increase the organic area in member countries to occupy 25.0% of the region’s agricultural land area by 2030. In response, governments across the region are providing subsidies to organic farmers and diverting agricultural budgets toward promoting organic farming practices.
- For example, in 2022, the German government planned to subsidize organic farmers with a budget of USD 35.46 billion, while the Italian government invested USD 3.54 billion through the National Strategic Plan to promote organic agriculture. Italy aims to convert 25.0% of its agricultural land to organic farming by 2027, three years ahead of the target set by the European Commission.
- In terms of market consumption, France was the largest market in Europe for plant biofertilizers, accounting for a 21.1% share in 2022, followed by Italy (15.8%) and Spain (10.5%).
- The growth of the European biofertilizer market is expected to continue due to the increasing popularity of organic farming practices and rising government initiatives driving the transition toward more sustainable agricultural practices.
Europe Biofertilizer Industry Overview
The Europe Biofertilizer Market is fragmented, with the top five companies occupying 1.29%. The major players in this market are Agronutrition, Biolchim SPA, Koppert Biological Systems Inc., Lallemand Inc. and Symborg, Inc. (sorted alphabetically).
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