Molluscicides Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Chemical and Biological), By Form (Pellets, Powder, Liquids and Gels), By Application (Agricultural and Non-Agricultural), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.28 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.34%
Fastest Growing Segment	Pellets
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.07 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Molluscicides Market will grow from USD 1.28 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.07 Billion by 2031 at a 8.34% CAGR. Molluscicides are chemical or biological agents designed to control gastropod pests such as snails and slugs that damage agricultural yields. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the urgent need to mitigate crop losses from invasive species and the rising demand for superior quality produce in the horticultural sector. According to the Grains Research and Development Corporation, in 2025, snails and slugs were estimated to cost the Australian grains industry approximately $43 million annually, which underscores the critical economic necessity for effective pest management protocols.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of synthetic active ingredients. Strict government guidelines frequently restrict the use of potent chemical compounds due to concerns over toxicity to wildlife and water contamination. These regulatory hurdles necessitate costly reformulations and prolong product approval timelines, thereby limiting the availability of affordable control options for growers and slowing overall market development.

Key Market Drivers

Proliferation of invasive mollusk pests in agricultural ecosystems is a primary catalyst driving the global molluscicides market. Accelerating climate variability has often created ideal breeding conditions for gastropods, intensifying their threat to arable crops and necessitating robust control measures. For instance, according to Farming Online, April 2025, in the 'Acting on the 2025 forecast slug pressures' article, slug populations in the United Kingdom were estimated to be 20 to 30 percent above a normal year due to prolonged mild and wet weather. This surge in pest density forces farmers to increase application frequencies of control agents to prevent devastating yield losses in staple crops, thereby directly propelling market demand for effective formulations.

The expansion of high-value horticultural and vegetable cultivation further amplifies the need for superior molluscicide solutions. Growers of premium produce face zero-tolerance policies for cosmetic damage, making rigorous pest management essential to preserve marketability and profit margins. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, January 2026, in the 'Specialty Crops Need Economic Aid' report, lettuce crops alone generated roughly $4.6 billion in cash receipts in 2024, underscoring the immense financial value that requires protection from damage. This economic necessity supports broader industry scale; according to Bayer AG, in 2025, third-quarter sales in the Crop Science division reached 3.9 billion euros, reflecting the substantial capital directed toward agricultural inputs and pest management technologies globally.

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Key Market Challenges

The increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of synthetic active ingredients acts as a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Molluscicides Market. Regulatory bodies globally are enforcing rigorous standards to mitigate risks to non-target biodiversity and water quality, which compels manufacturers to undertake extensive and expensive compliance procedures. This heightened oversight necessitates prolonged testing phases and costly reformulations, effectively delaying the commercialization of new, effective pest control solutions.

The economic magnitude of these regulatory hurdles is significant. According to CropLife India, in 2025, the development of a new crop protection molecule required an average investment of approximately $300 million and spanned nearly 12 years to reach the market. This substantial capital requirement and extended time-to-market stifle innovation and reduce the frequency of new product launches. Consequently, the market faces a stagnation in the availability of diverse and affordable molluscicides, directly limiting the industry's ability to expand and meet the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

Key Market Trends

The market is witnessing a distinct transition from conventional synthetic chemicals to bio-molluscicides and botanical formulations, driven by stringent environmental regulations and the prioritization of residue-free crop protection. This shift is particularly evident in the rising commercial success of biorational product lines, which include iron phosphate-based baits that offer high efficacy against slugs and snails while minimizing toxicity to non-target organisms. Manufacturers are capitalizing on this demand by integrating these sustainable alternatives into core revenue streams. For instance, according to Certis Belchim, October 2025, in the 'Building Sustainability' report, the company's turnover from biorational products, including their molluscicide portfolio, reached 19% in the fiscal year ending March 2025, a significant increase from 15% in the previous year.

Simultaneously, the Asia-Pacific region is trending as a high-growth frontier, fueled by the modernization of rice and horticulture farming practices to combat invasive pests like the Golden Apple Snail. Corporations are aggressively expanding their research and operational footprints in this territory to develop region-specific solutions that address local agronomic challenges such as intensive wet-rice cultivation. This strategic pivot is exemplified by massive capital injections into local innovation ecosystems. According to China Daily, October 2025, in the 'Syngenta boosts innovation to empower China's agriculture sector' article, Syngenta Group invested $1.9 billion in innovation in 2024, specifically targeting the expansion of digital agriculture and advanced crop protection technologies to modernize farming across the region.

Segmental Insights

The Pellets segment is positioned as the fastest-growing category in the Global Molluscicides Market, primarily driven by its superior environmental resilience and operational safety. Industry analysis indicates that agricultural professionals increasingly prefer pelletized formulations due to their exceptional rainfastness, which ensures prolonged efficacy even during heavy precipitation. Unlike liquid sprays, pellets facilitate targeted dosing, significantly minimizing chemical drift and reducing risks to non-target organisms. This precise delivery aligns with sustainable pest management standards promoted by regulatory entities like the European Chemicals Agency. Consequently, the demand for durable, low-risk pellet formulations continues to surge across the agricultural sector to support Integrated Pest Management strategies.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the Global Molluscicides Market, primarily due to its expansive rice cultivation and horticulture sectors which face intense pest pressures. The region's dominance is heavily influenced by the widespread infestation of the Golden Apple Snail, a destructive invasive species that devastates wet paddy fields across major agricultural economies. In response to such threats, agencies like the Vietnam Plant Protection Department have issued specific management guidelines, compelling farmers to adopt molluscicides for crop preservation. This critical reliance on pest control to maintain the yield of staple food commodities underscores the region's sustained market supremacy.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, ADAMA UK launched a new molluscicide product, Ferrabait, which utilizes the company's proprietary Feralla active ingredient. The product was introduced as a significant innovation for the UK market, offering a complex formulation that includes feeding stimulants and humic acids to ensure optimal palatability and rapid cessation of feeding by slugs and snails. The launch followed the company's successful development of the Desidro wet processing technology, which was reported to enhance pellet persistence and mold resistance in wet weather conditions. The product was approved for use on a wide range of crops, including cereals, vegetables, and oilseed rape.
• In February 2025, Certis Belchim strengthened its strategic partnership with Redestos Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group, a major agricultural supplies organization, to enhance the distribution of its crop protection solutions in Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkan region. Following merger clearance in relevant jurisdictions, this collaboration was intended to consolidate the company's presence in these key markets and improve the availability of its portfolio, which includes leading molluscicide products. The partnership aimed to combine technical expertise and market reach to deliver comprehensive plant health programs, integrating both chemical and biological solutions for growers in the region.
• In January 2025, De Sangosse, a global leader in agricultural biosolutions and molluscicides, announced the opening of a new subsidiary, De Sangosse Hellas, based in Athens, Greece. The establishment of this entity was described as a strategic milestone in the company's international development, aiming to support the adoption of its technical solutions, including slug control products, in the Greek agricultural sector. The Chief Executive Officer of the group stated that the new subsidiary would collaborate closely with local distributors and farmers to address the specific needs of Greece's diverse crops, such as olives, citrus, and grapes, thereby accelerating the agro-ecological transition in the region.
• In February 2024, ADAMA Ltd. announced its intention to introduce a novel active ingredient, Feralla, into the European molluscicide market. The company disclosed that the development of this elemental iron-based compound was designed to address specific challenges faced by European farmers, including regulatory restrictions and the need for sustainable pest control solutions. According to the announcement, products formulated with this new active ingredient would offer a rapid stop-feeding effect and prolonged pellet integrity compared to existing ferric phosphate options. The company expected regulatory approval in Europe later in the year, with subsequent product launches planned for the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany.

Key Market Players

• Bayer AG
• BASF SE
• Lonza Group AG
• American Vanguard Corporation
• Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd
• Syngenta Group
• UPL Limited
• Marrone Bio Innovations Inc.
• PI Industries Ltd.
• De Sangosse SAS

By Type	By Form	By Application	By Region
Chemical Biological	Pellets Powder Liquids Gels	Agricultural Non-Agricultural	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Molluscicides Market, By Type:

• Chemical
• Biological

• Molluscicides Market, By Form:

• Pellets
• Powder
• Liquids
• Gels

• Molluscicides Market, By Application:

• Agricultural
• Non-Agricultural

• Molluscicides 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