Foliar Spray Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast Segmented By Type (Nitrogenous, Phosphatic, Potassic, Micronutrients), By Application (Horticultural Crops, Field Crops, Turf & Ornamentals, Others), By Form (Powder, Liquid), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.13 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.01%
Fastest Growing Segment	Powder
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 11.54 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Foliar Spray Market will grow from USD 8.13 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.54 Billion by 2031 at a 6.01% CAGR. The Global Foliar Spray Market centers on the specialized agricultural technique of applying liquid fertilizers and biostimulants directly to plant leaves for absorption through stomata and the epidermis. The primary drivers supporting this market include the increasing demand for high-efficiency nutrient delivery systems that minimize soil leaching and the operational need for rapid correction of nutrient deficiencies during critical growth stages. Additionally, the intensifying focus on maximizing yield and quality in high-value horticultural crops compels growers to adopt precise application methods that ensure immediate plant uptake.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the method's sensitivity to environmental conditions, as application during high temperatures or improper dosing can result in phytotoxicity or leaf burn. This risk limits the quantity of macronutrients that can be safely applied compared to soil-based alternatives. According to the International Fertilizer Association, in 2024, global fertilizer use was projected to increase by 4.4 percent, reaching 206 million metric tons of nutrients. This sustained rise in nutrient consumption highlights the growing scale of agricultural inputs within which efficient application technologies like foliar sprays must operate.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing adoption of precision agriculture technologies, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is revolutionizing the foliar spray market by enhancing application efficiency. Drones allow for the delivery of highly concentrated liquid nutrients and biostimulants with pinpoint accuracy, significantly reducing chemical runoff and enabling treatment on difficult terrain where ground machinery cannot operate. This technological shift scales the addressable acreage for foliar products, as autonomous systems make frequent, low-volume applications operationally viable for a wider range of crops. According to DJI Agriculture, April 2025, an estimated 400,000 agricultural drones were in use globally by the end of 2024, representing a massive expansion in precision spraying infrastructure. This surge in hardware availability incentivizes input manufacturers to develop specialized, drone-compatible liquid formulations that maximize efficacy at lower water volumes.

Simultaneously, the expansion of sustainable farming practices is compelling the industry to shift toward biological and efficiency-enhancing foliar solutions. As regulatory pressures to reduce soil-based synthetic fertilizers mount, growers are increasingly turning to foliar-applied biologicals to maintain yields while adhering to environmental mandates. This trend is evident in the performance of major agriscience portfolios; according to Corteva Agriscience, November 2025, the company reported double-digit volume growth in its biologicals category during the first nine months of 2025. These products are specifically designed for foliar delivery to bypass soil constraints and ensure rapid plant uptake. To support this transition, the broader nutrient market continues to expand; according to the International Fertilizer Association, February 2025, global fertilizer use was forecast to increase by 2.2 percent in the 2025 fertilizer year, reflecting a sustained demand for efficient agricultural nutrients.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The sensitivity of foliar application to environmental conditions acts as a distinct constraint on the market's volume potential. Because plant leaves are susceptible to phytotoxicity and chemical burn when exposed to high nutrient concentrations or improper dosing, growers are forced to strictly limit the quantity of product applied. This biological restriction effectively prevents foliar methods from becoming a primary vehicle for macronutrient delivery, compelling the market to remain a source of supplementary or corrective solutions rather than replacing bulk soil fertilization.

Furthermore, the operational reliance on specific weather windows creates uncertainty that hampers broader adoption. Growers cannot apply these sprays during periods of high temperature or water stress without risking significant crop damage, which complicates scheduling for large-scale operations. This inability to handle high-volume nutrient delivery restricts the market's share of the total agricultural input sector. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2025, global fertilizer trade volumes were reported to exceed 170 million tonnes for the year 2024. This massive figure underscores the scale of nutrient demand that foliar sprays cannot safely address due to the inherent risks of leaf burn and environmental sensitivity.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of nano-fertilizers is redefining foliar application by utilizing particles smaller than 100 nanometers to bypass the leaf's cuticle barrier, significantly enhancing nutrient bioavailability. This technology reduces the requisite volume of active ingredients, offering a highly efficient alternative to soil-based methods that often suffer from leaching. Manufacturers are rapidly establishing dedicated infrastructure to support this segment, viewing it as a critical pathway to sustainable intensification. According to Coromandel International Limited, June 2024, the company unveiled a new facility in Kakinada designed to produce 10 million bottles of nano-fertilizers annually, positioning the technology as a scalable substitute for conventional inputs. This industrial scaling highlights the sector's move toward low-volume, high-impact nutrient delivery systems that maximize absorption efficiency.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a rising focus on micronutrient-enriched product lines, compelled by the superior profitability of specialty blends compared to commodity fertilizers. Agrochemical companies are restructuring portfolios to prioritize these high-margin formulations, which are essential for correcting specific physiological deficiencies in high-value crops. This strategic pivot is evident in the financial performance of leading market players, who are increasingly relying on specialized nutrient solutions to drive earnings. According to ICL Group, February 2025, specialty-based segments accounted for 70 percent of the company’s adjusted EBITDA in 2024, underscoring the dominant economic contribution of advanced crop nutrition solutions. This trend confirms the industry's structural shift toward precise, nutrient-dense foliar products that deliver superior returns.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent industry analysis, the Powder segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Foliar Spray Market, driven by its superior logistical efficiency and product stability. Unlike liquid counterparts, powder formulations are highly concentrated and lightweight, offering significant cost savings in transportation and warehousing. This format also provides an extended shelf life, ensuring nutrient potency is maintained over longer periods without the risk of spoilage or sedimentation. Consequently, agricultural stakeholders are increasingly adopting powder-based solutions to optimize supply chain operations and ensure consistent nutrient delivery, supporting the segment’s accelerated growth trajectory.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a dominant position in the Global Foliar Spray Market, driven primarily by extensive agricultural activities in major economies such as China and India. The region experiences widespread soil micronutrient deficiencies, necessitating the direct application of liquid nutrients to plant foliage for immediate correction and improved crop quality. Furthermore, the rising cultivation of high-value horticultural crops to meet export standards and domestic food security requirements fuels the adoption of these solutions. This preference is reinforced by the need for efficient fertilizer usage to maximize yield per hectare across the region's diverse farming landscapes.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Syngenta Canada introduced a new liquid foliar biostimulant designed to enhance productivity in row crops such as corn and wheat. The product, branded as YieldON, combines plant and seaweed-derived biomolecules with trace micronutrients like manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. According to the company, this formulation improves the uptake and transport of sugars and nutrients from leaf tissue to seeds, thereby amplifying grain-filling processes. The biostimulant is compatible for tank mixing with various fertilizers and registered foliar pesticides, offering growers a solution to boost yields during the reproductive stage of the crop.
• In July 2024, ICL Group announced the acquisition of Custom Ag Formulators, a North American provider of customized agricultural formulations, for approximately $60 million. This strategic move was aimed at expanding the company’s Growing Solutions product offerings, specifically adding a diverse range of liquid adjuvants and enhanced nutrients to its portfolio. The acquisition included two manufacturing facilities in the United States, enabling the company to better serve growers on both the East and West Coasts. This development underscores the company's commitment to growing its global specialty plant nutrition business and addressing specific regional crop needs.
• In June 2024, Bayer unveiled a new insecticide active ingredient with potential for both foliar and soil applications, targeting a market launch in 2025. The product, identified as Plenexos, belongs to the ketoenol chemical class and is designed to control sucking pests such as aphids and whiteflies in arable and horticultural crops. During a crop science innovation update, the company emphasized that this breakthrough offers high efficacy at low dose rates and maintains a favorable profile for pollinators. This innovation represents a significant addition to the company's research pipeline, aiming to support integrated pest management programs globally.
• In May 2024, Corteva Agriscience expanded its biologicals portfolio in Australia with the launch of a new nutrient efficiency biostimulant. The product, known as Utrisha N, utilizes a naturally occurring bacterium that colonizes the plant through foliar application and converts atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-available form. This conversion process functions without depleting plant energy and provides a supplemental nitrogen source throughout the growing season. The company highlighted that this innovation allows growers to enhance yield potential in broadacre crops by effectively managing nutrient strategies amidst varying environmental conditions.

Key Market Players

• EuroChem Group AG
• Nutriens Ltd.
• K+S Aktiengesellschaft
• Yara International
• The Mosaic Company
• Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.
• Coromandel International Limited
• Tribodyn AG
• Haifa Chemicals Ltd.
• Andaman AG

By Type	By Application	By Form	By Region
Nitrogenous Phosphatic Potassic Micronutrients	Horticultural Crops Field Crops Turf & Ornamentals Others	Powder Liquid	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Foliar Spray Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Foliar Spray Market, By Type:

• Nitrogenous
• Phosphatic
• Potassic
• Micronutrients

• Foliar Spray Market, By Application:

• Horticultural Crops
• Field Crops
• Turf & Ornamentals
• Others

• Foliar Spray Market, By Form:

• Powder
• Liquid

• Foliar Spray Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE