United States Agricultural Biologicals Market By Product Type (Microbials, Macrobials, Semiochemicals, Natural Products), By Mode of Application (Foliar Spray, Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.78 BIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.79%
Fastest Growing Segment	Seed Treatment
Largest Market	Midwest
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.68 BIllion

Market Overview

The United States Agricultural Biologicals Market will grow from USD 2.78 BIllion in 2025 to USD 3.68 BIllion by 2031 at a 4.79% CAGR. Agricultural biologicals are farm inputs derived from natural materials such as plant extracts and microorganisms which are designed to enhance crop health and protect against pests. The market growth is primarily propelled by strict regulations limiting synthetic chemical residues and a rising consumer demand for sustainably produced organic products. Additionally these tools are increasingly essential for managing pest resistance where traditional chemicals fail. According to The Fertilizer Institute and the Biological Products Industry Alliance, in 2024, 45% of United States row crop farmers reported using one or more biological products, highlighting a robust shift toward these sustainable inputs.

However a significant challenge impeding broader expansion is the variability in product efficacy compared to conventional synthetics. Biologicals often depend on specific environmental conditions to function optimally which can lead to inconsistent performance results in the field. This unpredictability fosters hesitation among growers who prioritize reliability and standardisation thereby slowing the widespread transition from traditional chemical inputs to these alternative solutions.

Key Market Drivers

Rising consumer demand for organic and residue-free produce is a primary force reshaping the United States Agricultural Biologicals Market. Shoppers are increasingly prioritizing health and environmental sustainability, compelling growers to adopt inputs that comply with strict residue limits and organic certification standards. This shift from niche to mainstream is forcing agricultural producers to integrate biological tools to maintain yields while adhering to these lucrative clean-label requirements. The economic scale of this preference is substantial; according to the Organic Trade Association, May 2024, in the '2024 Organic Industry Survey', U.S. sales of certified organic products reached a record level of nearly $70 billion in 2023. This robust purchasing behavior incentivizes farmers to replace or supplement conventional synthetics with biological alternatives that ensure compliance without sacrificing marketability.

Surging corporate investment in biological research and development is equally critical in accelerating market maturity and accessibility. Major agrochemical incumbents are aggressively acquiring biotech startups and dedicating resources to overcome historical barriers such as product instability and short shelf lives. This capital injection validates the sector and scales distribution networks, ensuring that scientifically backed solutions reach the farm gate. For instance, according to Corteva, Inc., January 2024, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results', the company's biologicals acquisitions contributed approximately $420 million in net sales for the full year 2023. This trend of consolidation and investment expands the availability of diverse tools; according to AgFunderNews, March 2024, in the 'The state of US crop biologicals in 2024' article, biostimulants have solidified their market presence, with 83% of surveyed respondents reporting they now sell these products to customers.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary challenge impeding the United States Agricultural Biologicals Market is the variability in product efficacy compared to conventional synthetics. Unlike chemical inputs which are engineered for stability, biologicals often utilize living organisms or natural extracts that are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, soil composition, and humidity. Consequently, their performance can fluctuate significantly in the field, creating a perception of unreliability among growers who operate on tight margins and require guaranteed protection for their crops.

This inconsistency directly hampers market growth by fostering hesitation among potential adopters who might otherwise transition to sustainable inputs. When farmers cannot depend on a product to deliver uniform results, they are reluctant to invest in these solutions due to fears of yield losses or reduced return on investment. This skepticism significantly restricts the displacement of traditional chemistries. According to CropLife America, in 2024, nearly 50% of survey respondents cited a lack of trust in product performance as the leading reason for the lagging adoption of biological products. This data demonstrates that doubts regarding consistency remain a substantial barrier to broader market penetration.

Key Market Trends

New microbial technologies that enable corn and cereal crops to fix atmospheric nitrogen are gaining market traction as a tool to reduce synthetic fertilizer dependency. These innovations allow producers to maintain yield parity while significantly lowering their environmental footprint and input costs, facilitating a transition away from exclusive reliance on traditional chemical inputs. The rapid scalability of this technology is evident in its on-farm application; according to Pivot Bio, October 2024, in the 'Pivot Bio's N-OVATOR Program Reaches New Heights' press release, the company reported that 1.4 million enrolled acres qualified to generate nitrogen credits during the 2024 growing season, nearly doubling the footprint from the previous year.

Growers are also increasingly adopting "program approaches" that combine biologicals with synthetic chemistries to manage resistance and lower chemical loads without sacrificing efficacy. This hybrid strategy addresses the historical inconsistency of biologicals by utilizing them as partners in integrated pest management systems rather than as standalone replacements. This shift in usage patterns is quantifiable; according to AgFunderNews, March 2024, in the 'The state of US crop biologicals in 2024' article, the application rate of biopesticides among surveyed respondents rose to 22% in 2024, up from 19% the prior year, reflecting a growing reliance on these tools within diverse crop protection protocols.

Segmental Insights

Seed treatment is recognized as the fastest-growing segment in the United States agricultural biologicals market because it offers targeted protection during critical early crop development. This method allows growers to apply biological inputs directly to seeds, significantly reducing the required volume compared to broad field applications. The United States Environmental Protection Agency supports this trend by providing clear pathways for registering low-risk biological products. Consequently, farmers are increasingly adopting these treatments to improve sustainability and cost-efficiency while effectively managing pests and diseases without heavy reliance on traditional synthetic chemicals.

Regional Insights

The Midwest United States maintains a dominant position in the Agricultural Biologicals market, driven primarily by the extensive cultivation of major row crops such as corn and soybeans. Farmers in this region increasingly integrate biostimulants and biopesticides into crop management programs to address pest resistance and improve soil biology. This adoption is reinforced by support from the United States Department of Agriculture for sustainable production methods, which encourages the reduction of synthetic residue levels. The concentration of large-scale agricultural operations creates a substantial and consistent demand for biological inputs within the region.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Pivot Bio announced the commercial launch of a new nitrogen-fixing biological product specifically designed for cotton crops in the United States. The product, marketed as CERT-N, was introduced to a select group of growers for the 2025 planting season, with a full commercial rollout planned for the following year. This innovation utilized the company's proprietary gene-editing technology to deliver a consistent, weather-resilient source of nitrogen directly to the cotton plant's roots. The launch represented a significant expansion of the company's portfolio beyond corn and small grains, offering cotton farmers a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic fertilizers to improve yield and fiber quality.
• In July 2024, Syngenta Crop Protection entered into a collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks to accelerate the development and launch of a new biological solution for the agricultural market. The partnership aimed to leverage Ginkgo's advanced cell programming and biosecurity platform to optimize a specific microbial strain from Syngenta's biologicals pipeline. By utilizing high-throughput screening and strain engineering capabilities, the companies sought to achieve cost-effective, large-scale production of a secondary metabolite essential for the new product's performance. This initiative highlighted the industry's growing focus on technological partnerships to bring innovative biological tools to United States growers more rapidly and efficiently.
• In March 2024, Certis Biologicals announced the acquisition of two proprietary fungicide assets, Howler and Theia, from the agricultural technology company AgBiome. This strategic transaction expanded the company's presence in the United States Agricultural Biologicals Market by adding highly effective, crop-agnostic biofungicides to its comprehensive portfolio. The acquired products, known for their multiple modes of action against a broad spectrum of soil-borne and foliar diseases, were integrated into the company's offerings to better support specialty and row crop growers. This move reinforced the company's dedication to providing science-based biological solutions for sustainable crop protection and resistance management.
• In February 2024, Corteva Agriscience announced the launch of a new commercial portfolio brand, Corteva Biologicals, to serve farmers in the United States and global markets. This development followed the company's strategic acquisitions of Stoller and Symborg, which significantly expanded its capabilities in the biologicals sector. The unified portfolio was designed to provide a broad range of proven solutions, including biostimulants and biocontrol products, that integrate seamlessly with traditional crop protection practices. This launch underscored the company's commitment to delivering sustainable tools that enhance plant health and nutrient use efficiency while addressing the evolving challenges of modern agriculture.

Key Market Players

• BASF Corporation
• Syngenta Crop Protection Inc.
• Bayer SE
• Evogene Ltd.
• Vegalab Inc.

By Product Type	By Mode of Application	By Region
Microbials Macrobials Semiochemicals Natural Products	Foliar Spray Soil Treatment Seed Treatment Others	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

In this report, the United States Agricultural Biologicals Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Product Type:

• Microbials
• Macrobials
• Semiochemicals
• Natural Products

• United States Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Mode of Application:

• Foliar Spray
• Soil Treatment
• Seed Treatment
• Others

• United States Agricultural Biologicals Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West