China Biofertilizer Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

China Biofertilizer Market Analysis

The China Biofertilizer Market size is estimated at 568.5 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 932.7 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.41% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

China's agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation toward sustainable farming practices, driven by increasing environmental concerns and food safety awareness. The government has implemented stringent policies to reduce chemical fertilizer usage, successfully achieving a 12.8% reduction in fertilizer consumption between 2015 and 2020. This shift has created a robust foundation for the biofertilizer industry, with Azotobacter emerging as the dominant biofertilizer type, commanding 31.3% of the market share in 2022. The transition is further supported by the government's ambitious goal of achieving zero growth in chemical fertilizer and pesticide use by 2030, demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainable agriculture.

The market is experiencing substantial growth due to increasing consumer awareness and demand for organic products. Recent market research indicates that 83% of the Chinese population in developed cities demonstrates awareness of sustainable food production concepts, while 73% of consumers express willingness to pay premium prices for organic products. This shift in consumer behavior has led to remarkable growth in the organic food sector, with sales reaching CNY 95.1 billion in 2021, positioning China as the fourth-largest organic market globally. The increasing consumer preference for chemical-free agricultural products has created a strong foundation for biofertilizer adoption.

The industry landscape is evolving through strategic consolidations and technological innovations. A notable development was Corteva Agriscience's acquisition of Symborg Inc. in 2022, which has strengthened the distribution network and technological capabilities in the Chinese market. Companies are increasingly focusing on research and development to create more effective biofertilizer solutions, with many establishing partnerships with agricultural universities and research institutions to develop innovative products that can effectively replace chemical fertilizers while maintaining or improving crop yields.

The biofertilizer market is benefiting from the expansion of organic farming practices, with organic acreage increasing by 29.6% between 2017 and 2022. This growth is particularly significant in the northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, which have emerged as major organic production hubs. The industry is witnessing increased investment in production facilities and distribution networks, with companies like Genliduo Bio-tech Corporation establishing multiple production bases across the country. These developments are complemented by growing export opportunities, as Chinese organic producers increasingly supply products to international markets including Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States.

China Biofertilizer Market Trends

Country’s zero growth in pesticides use and increasing exports under organic products driving the organic cultivation.

• According to the latest reports by FiBL and the IFOAM, the market for organic food in China is growing at an annual rate of 25.0%. The shift from conventional to organic is a transformation toward a more sustainable food system within China, given the USD 2.91 billion of agri-food commodities exported from China each year.
• The size of organic farmland increased rapidly in China because more people started buying organic products due to increased incomes and the increasing importance of food safety. In the last three years, China's organic planting area increased by 10%, reaching 2.4 million ha in 2020. In addition, national policies have been adopted to promote organic production, advocating the slogans that state, ″lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets″ and ″green development".
• Organic farming in China is majorly export-oriented. The products that are both exported and imported include cereals, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables. China's three northeastern provinces (Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang) support the largest organic production nationally in terms of output, volume, and area. Most organic farms located in the northern part of China (e.g., Shandong and Liaoning) supply organic vegetables and fruits to nearby cities. In addition, they export some products to Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States.
• With the increasing concerns of soil toxicity due to the overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that lead to soil contamination, the demand for sustainable agriculture practices and organic food production is on the rise in China. This moderately slow yet increasing shift in cultivation practices has also subsequently increased the demand for crop nutrition and protection products.

The growing demand for organic products, approximately 73% of Chinese consumers are willing to have organic food

• China's organic food market is developing rapidly, and the potential demand for organic food among Chinese consumers is enormous. This is due to the growth of the wealthier middle classes and a greater awareness of the health implications. In 2021, organic food sales in China amounted to about USD 77.54 billion.
• Due to various government laws that favor organic food over food safety and customer preferences for organic food over conventional food, the demand for organic food items has considerably expanded. While prices of organic vegetables in China range from 3 to 15 times the cost of conventional produce, prices for organic vegetables are generally between 5 and 10 times that of their conventional counterparts. However, despite the price factor being a barrier, wealthy families and individuals with health problems are eager to increase their budget, with approximately 73% of Chinese consumers willing to pay extra for organic foods.
• The Chinese government is slowly aiming to become self-reliant in the organic food sector. For instance, the economy is slowly moving toward a green agriculture practice by encouraging farmers to scale back the use of chemical fertilizers and switch to bio-based alternatives. The China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) research in 2020 declared that organic awareness among the Chinese population in developed cities was at 83% when it came to an understanding of the concept of sustainable food production. Although China's organic food sector is still quite small and falls far short of satisfying domestic and international consumer demand, it can be stated that organic food in China has enormous potential in both the domestic and foreign markets, considering the rise in domestic sales by 4.01% in 2021.

Segment Analysis: Form

Azotobacter Segment in China Biofertilizer Market

Azotobacter maintains its dominant position in the Chinese biofertilizer market, commanding approximately 31% market share in 2024. This azotobacter biofertilizer is widely preferred for its ability to fix roughly 20.0 kg of nitrogen per hectare, making it an effective substitute for mineral nitrogen fertilizers in crop production. The segment's popularity stems from its versatility in both acidic and alkaline soils, along with its capability to produce antifungal compounds and antibiotics that help prevent seedling mortality by inhibiting pathogenic fungi growth in the root zone. Azotobacter's effectiveness in non-leguminous crops such as rice, cotton, vegetables, sugarcane, sweet potato, and sweet sorghum has particularly driven its adoption, with notable success in sugarcane crops where it increases cane yield by 25-50 tons/hectare and sugar content by 10-15%.

Rhizobium Segment in China Biofertilizer Market

The rhizobium biofertilizer segment demonstrates exceptional growth potential in the Chinese biofertilizer market, projected to grow at approximately 12% during 2024-2029. This remarkable growth trajectory is primarily attributed to its effectiveness in both legumes and non-legume crops, with the capability to fix up to 300 kg N/ha/year in various legume crops. The segment's expansion is further supported by its proven ability to significantly increase shoot and root growth, grain yield, and nitrogen-use efficiency in rice cultivation, which is particularly significant given China's position as the largest global rice producer. The growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture practices and the need to reduce chemical nitrogen fertilizer usage in rice cultivation, which currently exceeds recommended amounts by 90%, is expected to further accelerate the adoption of rhizobium biofertilizer.

Remaining Segments in Form Segmentation

The Chinese biofertilizer market features several other significant segments including mycorrhizal biofertilizer, Azospirillum, and phosphate solubilizing biofertilizer (PSB). Mycorrhizal biofertilizer plays a crucial role in increasing root surface area and improving nutrient uptake, particularly beneficial in enhancing grain yields of cereal crops. Azospirillum contributes significantly to plant nutrition through nitrogen fixation and aids in the selective absorption of various immobile and mobile elements. PSB serves as an effective plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, improving nutrient use efficiency and organic matter decomposition. These segments, along with other specialized biofertilizers, collectively contribute to the diverse ecosystem of biological fertilizers, each offering unique benefits for sustainable agriculture practices in China.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Row Crops Segment in China Biofertilizer Market

Row crops dominate the Chinese biofertilizer market, commanding approximately 82% market share in 2024, primarily driven by the extensive cultivation of staple crops like rice, wheat, corn, peanuts, millet, barley, and oilseeds. The segment's dominance is attributed to the large area under cultivation of field crops, which are considered the country's primary food source. Azotobacter biofertilizer is the most consumed bacterial fertilizer in row crops, accounting for nearly 31% of consumption, followed by mycorrhizal biofertilizer and Azospirillum. The consumption of biofertilizers in row crops is particularly significant in China's three northeastern provinces - Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, which support the largest organic production nationally in terms of output, volume, and area.

Cash Crops Segment in China Biofertilizer Market

The cash crops segment, which includes crops such as sugarcane, tea, cotton, and tobacco, is experiencing the fastest growth in the Chinese biofertilizer market. The segment is projected to grow at approximately 11% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, driven by increasing adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in commercial farming. This growth is particularly evident in the cultivation of tobacco, where biofertilizers are being increasingly utilized to reduce cadmium-induced degradation of leaf quality. The segment's robust growth is also supported by the rising demand for organic sugarcane cultivation, where biofertilizers have demonstrated significant benefits in improving yield by 3-12% while reducing soil acidification and enhancing the diversity of soil microorganisms.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The horticultural crops segment, encompassing fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, peaches, Chinese cabbage, Bok choy, mustard greens, and winter radish, plays a vital role in China's biofertilizer market. This segment is particularly significant in the organic produce sector, where increasing health consciousness among consumers is driving demand for chemical-free cultivation practices. The segment's growth is supported by the rising adoption of microbial biofertilizers, particularly in apple cultivation, where potassium-mobilizing microorganisms are helping reduce the application rate of mineral fertilizers and improving fruit quality.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack on Areas under organic cultivation, one of the key trends that affect the market size of agricultural biologicals. This data pack also includes areas under cultivation by crop types, such as Row Crops (Cereals, Pulses, and Oilseeds), Horticultural Crops (Fruits and Vegetables), and Cash Crops in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Africa.