Glufosinate Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Crop Type (Genetically Modified Crops, Conventional Crops), By Application (Agricultural, Non-Agricultural), By Form (Liquid, Dry), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Glufosinate Market, valued at USD 2.72 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 5.85% to reach USD 3.83 Billion by 2030. Glufosinate is a naturally occurring, non-selective, contact herbicide that effectively controls a broad spectrum of annual and perennial weeds by inhibiting glutamine synthetase, an enzyme vital for plant metabolism. The market's expansion is fundamentally driven by the escalating global need for effective weed management solutions, particularly with the widespread adoption of genetically modified crops engineered for glufosinate tolerance. Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of herbicide-resistant weeds, including those resistant to glyphosate, significantly bolsters demand for glufosinate as an alternative control agent.

The market for this agrochemical continues to grow, evidenced by regional contributions; for instance, according to CropLife India, in the financial year 2022-23, agrochemical exports from India reached US$ 5.4 billion. A significant impediment to global market expansion, however, lies in the stringent regulatory frameworks concerning pesticide usage in several key regions, which can restrict product approvals and market access.

Key Market Drivers

Two paramount factors are driving the expansion of the Global Glufosinate Market: the increasing cultivation of genetically modified glufosinate-tolerant crops and the growing problem of herbicide-resistant weeds. The widespread adoption of genetically modified crops engineered to tolerate glufosinate enables farmers to achieve effective post-emergence weed control without harming the desired crop, thereby enhancing agricultural efficiency and yield. According to Fundacion Antama's "Global GM Crop Area Review", in May 2023, the global area under genetically modified crops, including herbicide-tolerant varieties critical for glufosinate application, reached 202.2 million hectares in 2022. This extensive cultivation directly underpins the demand for glufosinate as an essential tool in modern farming systems. Concurrently, the escalating prevalence of herbicide-resistant weeds significantly bolsters glufosinate's market standing. As weed populations develop resistance to established herbicides, such as glyphosate, agricultural producers actively seek alternative solutions to safeguard crop productivity. Glufosinate provides a distinct mode of action, positioning it as a crucial component in comprehensive resistance management strategies. According to the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds (Heap), as cited in "The Global Challenge of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds" by Weeders of the West, September 2023, 530 unique herbicide-resistant weed cases have been reported globally, encompassing 272 weed species across 72 countries. This persistent challenge compels growers to increasingly utilize glufosinate to maintain robust weed control and ensure consistent agricultural output.

The global glufosinate market’s dynamics are further reflected in the financial outcomes of major agrochemical manufacturers. For instance, according to BASF’s 2024 Report, the company’s Agricultural Solutions segment experienced sales below the prior year, reaching €9,798 million, with particular pressure attributed to lower glufosinate-ammonium prices in 2024. This performance underscores the market's sensitivity to pricing dynamics and competition, even for a product with sustained demand driven by genetic modification and herbicide resistance issues, shaping product development and market penetration strategies.

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Key Market Challenges

The stringent regulatory frameworks governing pesticide usage in several key regions present a significant impediment to the growth of the global glufosinate market. These frameworks often involve complex, lengthy approval processes and can lead to restrictions or outright bans on certain active substances, directly limiting market access and product availability. For instance, in the European Union, delays in risk assessment processes led to extensions of approval periods for 13 active substances in plant protection until May 2027, as published in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2781. Such regulatory hurdles increase operational costs for manufacturers and create uncertainty, hindering investment and market expansion for agrochemicals like glufosinate. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) noted in June 2024 that delays in the Great Britain pesticide regulatory scheme are causing "uncertainty" for businesses, increasing costs for manufacturers, and potentially making some products uneconomic to support in smaller markets. This directly impacts the ability to introduce and sustain glufosinate-based products, thereby stifling overall market development.

Key Market Trends

Two significant trends driving the global glufosinate market are technological advancements in glufosinate formulations and the increased adoption of precision agriculture for herbicide application.

Technological advancements in glufosinate formulations are enhancing product efficacy and application efficiency, which directly impacts market growth. These innovations focus on improving the active ingredient's effectiveness and reducing required application rates. For instance, BASF Agricultural Solutions announced the rollout of Liberty ULTRA in November 2023, a glufosinate formulation utilizing Glu-L Technology to offer farmers a 25% reduction in use rate, with a full launch expected in 2025. Such developments enable more targeted and effective weed control, which is crucial for maximizing crop yields while potentially minimizing environmental impact. According to a CropLife International Members Survey conducted by AgbioInvestor in 2024, the average cost of synthesis and formulation in the research phase of a new pesticide rose by 31.6% to $64 million, underscoring significant investment in this area.

The increased adoption of precision agriculture for herbicide application represents a shift towards more sustainable and efficient farming practices. This trend involves using advanced technologies like GPS, drones, and artificial intelligence to apply herbicides precisely where needed, thereby optimizing usage and reducing waste. According to the USDA's Technology Use report in 2023, the nationwide average adoption rate of precision agriculture practices for farms in the United States reached 27 percent. This growing integration of technology allows for variable-rate applications and targeted spraying, which is particularly beneficial for glufosinate to combat localized weed infestations and manage resistance more effectively. The 2024 CropLife/Purdue Precision Survey, published in July 2024, also indicated that approximately one-third of ag retailers were already offering crop inputs applied with UAVs or drones, demonstrating the increasing commercial availability and farmer uptake of these technologies.

Segmental Insights

The Agricultural segment is experiencing rapid growth in the Global Glufosinate Market due to its crucial role in modern crop protection strategies. This accelerated demand stems primarily from the escalating challenge of weed resistance to alternative herbicides, positioning glufosinate as an essential and effective solution for weed management. Furthermore, the increasing global cultivation of glufosinate-tolerant genetically modified crops, particularly soybeans, corn, and cotton, significantly drives market expansion by enabling efficient and selective weed control without harming the target crop. This dual advantage directly contributes to enhanced crop yields and improved agricultural productivity worldwide.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global glufosinate market, driven by its extensive adoption of genetically modified crops specifically engineered to tolerate glufosinate-based herbicides. Farmers in the region, particularly in the United States and Canada, widely cultivate herbicide-resistant varieties of corn, soybeans, and cotton to manage challenging weed populations effectively. This widespread integration of glufosinate-tolerant crops is further reinforced by the herbicide's proven efficacy against a spectrum of weeds, including those that have developed resistance to other common herbicides, making it a critical tool for maintaining high agricultural productivity. The region's advanced agricultural practices and a generally supportive regulatory landscape for crop biotechnology contribute significantly to this market dominance.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, AMVAC introduced Zalo, a new post-emergence herbicide containing both quizalofop-P-ethyl and glufosinate ammonium. This product is specifically labeled for glufosinate-resistant soybeans and canola, aiming to provide a broader spectrum of weed control for growers. Zalo offers an important tool within the global glufosinate market by combining two modes of action, thereby assisting in the management of various annual and perennial weeds and addressing herbicide resistance challenges for the upcoming growing season.

• In October 2024, BASF Agricultural Solutions obtained U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for its Liberty ULTRA herbicide, which is powered by Glu-L Technology. This new generation glufosinate-P-ammonium product is approved for use on glufosinate-enabled soybean, cotton, corn, and canola acres. Liberty ULTRA demonstrated superior weed control in trials and is designed to provide greater efficacy at a reduced application rate compared to existing glufosinate products. This innovation represents a significant advancement in the glufosinate market, offering farmers an enhanced post-knockdown solution for broadleaf weeds and grasses.

• In July 2024, BASF announced plans to cease production of the active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium at its Knapsack and Frankfurt sites in Germany by the end of 2024, with the Frankfurt formulation facility closing in 2025. This decision was attributed to increasing competition from generic manufacturers and rising energy and raw material costs. Despite this restructuring of its production network, BASF stated its commitment to the global glufosinate market, intending to source the active ingredient from third-party suppliers and focusing on developing next-generation glufosinate solutions.

• In July 2024, AgGrow Agronomy & Research conducted optimization trials in Goolgowi, Australia, focusing on Conquest's Faster TG, a glufosinate product. The research investigated the impact of varying application rates of Faster TG and the addition of Ammonium Sulfate (AMS) on weed control in winter fallows. Results indicated that increasing the Faster TG rate significantly improved control, particularly for glyphosate-resistant ryegrass, with the 4L/ha rate proving most effective. These findings contribute valuable insights into maximizing glufosinate efficacy in the global market.

Key Market Players

• Bayer AG
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Syngenta Crop Protection AG
• UPL LTD
• Nufarm Limited
• Jiangsu Huangma Agrochemicals Co., Ltd
• BASF SE
• Hebei Veyong Bio-Chemical Co. Ltd
• ZHEJIANG YONGNONG CHEM. IND. CO., LTD
• Clariant AG

Report Scope:

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

• Glufosinate Market, By Crop Type:

o   Genetically Modified Crops

o   Conventional Crops

• Glufosinate Market, By Application:

o   Agricultural

o   Non-Agricultural

• Glufosinate Market, By Form:

o   Liquid

o   Dry

• Glufosinate Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Glufosinate Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Glufosinate Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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