The agrochemical industry is like a well-tuned ecosystem of innovation, growth, and sustainability. These chemicals are both shield and rocket fuel, protecting plants from threats while powering yield gains. From big-name chemistry to bio-inspired breakthroughs, this sector tells a dynamic story of business acumen meeting environmental responsibility.
When it comes to agrochemicals, farmers typically purchase solutions that kill pests/weeds without harming the plant. Moreover, major retail buyers such as Walmart and Whole Foods have also started sourcing produce treated with reduced-chemical inputs, pushing American growers to adopt natural crop protection methods.
This trend has given a boost to the adoption of crop protection chemicals that play a vital role in safeguarding crops from diseases, pests, and weeds. This way, they ensure optimal yields and quality produce. The U.S. agrochemical market was pegged at $34.03 billion in 2024, and crop protection chemicals constitute a significant portion of this. Let’s discuss how natural solutions are gaining popularity and what leading manufacturers are doing in this field.
The Rise of Natural Offerings
There is a fine line between maximizing yield and minimizing environmental harm. This has shifted the agrochemical industry toward bio-based and naturally derived crop protection solutions. Driven by both regulatory tailwinds and changing preferences, these products are an eco-conscious option sprouting fresh opportunities in the U.S.
- Corteva Agriscience: Building a Biological Empire
Corteva has aggressively expanded its natural portfolio in the last two years. Following its high-profile acquisitions of Stoller Group and Symborg, the company has launched a dedicated Biologicals Division to push forward low-residue, bio-based innovations.
The company has integrated microbial-based and plant-extract-based products into its offerings across U.S. specialty and row crops. One key advancement is the use of Symborg’s mycorrhizal technology, which helps improve phosphorus uptake, root health, and resilience against abiotic stress. This is especially valuable for corn and soybean producers facing erratic weather.
- FMC Corporation: Biopesticides Gaining Commercial Muscle
FMC Corporation has a significant ramp-up in its natural crop protection portfolio with biological nematicides based on naturally occurring bacterial strains. Designed for use in vegetable and fruit crops, its products, such as Accudo, help suppress nematode populations while improving soil biodiversity. This can be a double win for organic and regenerative farming systems.
- Bayer Crop Science: Biologicals with Bayer Traits
Bayer’s SerenadeASO, a Bacillus subtilis-based biofungicide, has gained EPA registration for use in a broader range of row crops including soybeans and cereals. It acts as both a preventive and curative solution against foliar diseases like downy mildew and bacterial spot. The company works in collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks to develop microbial solutions targeting pest resistance and nitrogen fixation. The collaboration focuses on improving in-plant microbiome interactions.
- UPL: Expansion via Natural Plant Extracts
UPL, via its Natural Plant Protection (NPP) division, has introduced plant-based anti-grazing products derived from sheep fat and essential oils. These products are gaining popularity in vineyards and orchards as an environmentally safe solution for minimizing animal damage without synthetic chemicals. The company is also piloting its biological insecticides that use metabolites from soil fungi to manage whiteflies and mites in leafy greens.
The Bottom Line
The agrochemical market in the U.S. is sprouting at an intriguing crossroads. By embedding natural solutions into their R&D pipelines and partnering with biotech ventures, leading agrochemical companies are positioning themselves for both environmental leadership and financial upside. The business case for biologicals is unfolding through investments and near-market innovations that promise to reshape U.S. crop protection.
