Glyphosate Herbicide Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Glyphosate Herbicide Market Trends and Insights

Commercialization of Genetically Modified (GM) Herbicide-Tolerant Crops

The ongoing regulatory approvals and increasing adoption of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops by farmers are driving glyphosate demand as growers integrate into seed-and-chemistry systems. In June 2025, Argentina's Secretaría de Agricultura approved the commercial release of the stacked maize event MON-87427-7 x MON-94804-4 x MON-00603-6. This event combines reduced plant height with glyphosate tolerance, following favorable evaluations by the National Advisory Commission on Agricultural Biotechnology (CONABIA) and the National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA), which concluded that the stacked event poses no additional risks compared to conventional maize ^{[1]Source: Ministerio de Economía, “Resolución 91/2025,” boletinoficial.gob.ar}. As seed companies incorporate more traits into glyphosate-tolerant crops, glyphosate becomes a standard input, stabilizing demand against short-term price fluctuations and competition from alternative herbicides.

Rising Demand for Effective Weed-Control Solutions

Labor shortages and increasing wages in key agricultural regions are encouraging growers to adopt chemical weed control as a cost-effective alternative to manual or mechanical methods. This trend is particularly evident in the Asia-Pacific region, where smallholder farms face rising opportunity costs for family labor, and in Africa, where commercial agriculture is expanding faster than the availability of seasonal workers. Glyphosate's broad-spectrum efficacy and relatively low application cost per hectare make it a preferred choice for pre-plant burndown and post-emergence weed control in both genetically modified (GM) and non-genetically modified (non-GM) cropping systems. Its systemic action, which translocates to roots and rhizomes, effectively controls perennial weeds such as Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus rotundus, which are often resistant to mechanical tillage. For example, product labels in Argentina now include warnings about resistant Sorghum halepense biotypes and recommend consulting technical advisors for resistance management and combination strategies.

Expansion of Agricultural Land and Intensified Farming

The expansion of soybean and maize cultivation in South America and Africa is increasing herbicide application rates as growers shift from extensive grazing or fallow land to intensive row-crop farming. In Brazil and Argentina, the conversion of cerrado and pampas into soybean plantations has led to more frequent glyphosate applications to manage volunteer crops and invasive grasses during the establishment phase. Similarly, African countries expanding cotton and maize production in the Sahel and East Africa are adopting herbicide-based weed control to achieve export-competitive yields. This intensification of land use reduces fallow periods, limiting natural weed suppression and necessitating chemical interventions to maintain uniform crop stands. Higher yields justify the additional cost of herbicide inputs, and as farm mechanization increases, the convenience of glyphosate spraying compared to manual weeding or inter-row cultivation becomes more appealing.

Capacity Consolidation Stabilizes Long-Term Prices

Recent mergers and asset divestitures have addressed global glyphosate overcapacity, leading to improved producer margins and stabilized prices following the volatility experienced between 2020 and 2023. BASF's 2018 acquisition of Bayer's glufosinate business and certain European glyphosate-based herbicides, valued at EUR 7.6 billion (USD 9.0 billion), was part of a divestiture package required by the European Commission to preserve competition after Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto. This transaction streamlined production assets and R&D pipelines, reducing the number of independent suppliers and enabling more efficient utilization of capacity. According to Bayer's 2024 investor presentation, Chinese generic glyphosate technical prices have returned to the 15-year historical median, while prices for branded glyphosate-based herbicides have stabilized following a significant correction following the pandemic.

Regulatory Restrictions and Phased Bans

European Union and sub-national regulatory actions are trimming long-term demand by restricting glyphosate use in public spaces, near water bodies, and in organic-certified production systems. The European Food Safety Authority conducted a comprehensive risk assessment and peer review of glyphosate in 2023, concluding that no critical areas of concern were identified, and data gaps remained ^{[2]Source: European Food Safety Authority, “La EFSA explica la evaluación científica del glifosato,” efsa.europa.eu}. Despite this scientific assessment, political pressure and precautionary-principle interpretations have led several member states to impose partial bans or require integrated pest management plans that prioritize non-chemical alternatives. These restrictions reduce the addressable market size in Europe and create regulatory uncertainty that discourages long-term investment in glyphosate production capacity. Compliance with these evolving frameworks requires manufacturers to maintain multiple product formulations and labeling variants, which increases administrative costs and complicates supply-chain logistics.

Accelerating Weed Resistance in Major Crop Belts

Resistant Amaranthus and Ryegrass species are forcing higher doses and tank-mix combinations, eroding the cost advantage that made glyphosate the default choice for weed control. Peer-reviewed research documented in Argentina identified glyphosate-resistant biotypes of Sorghum halepense in core soybean regions, with resistance mechanisms including target-site mutations in the EPSPS enzyme, gene amplification, and reduced translocation to meristematic tissues. Agronomists are responding by recommending pre-emergence residual herbicides, post-emergence tank mixes with alternative modes of action, and mechanical weed control during critical crop-establishment windows. While these integrated approaches sustain total herbicide demand, they dilute glyphosate's market share and reduce per-hectare profitability for manufacturers. The resistance dynamic also accelerates the commercial adoption of herbicide-tolerant traits for alternative chemistries, such as dicamba and 2,4-D, which directly compete with glyphosate for acreage.

Segment Analysis

By Crop Type: Commercial Crops Outpace Staple Grains

Grains and cereals held a 44.0% glyphosate herbicide market share in 2025, this dominance is attributed to the cultivation of soybeans and maize in North and South America, where glyphosate-tolerant varieties are widely used, and pre-plant burndown applications are a common practice. Pulses and oilseeds held a notable secondary share, driven by the use of glyphosate for pre-harvest desiccation in crops such as lentils, chickpeas, and canola. This practice facilitates synchronized maturity and reduces harvest moisture content. Fruits and vegetables represent a smaller segment of the market, as many high-value crops are cultivated under organic or integrated pest management systems that limit the use of glyphosate. Some tree-fruit orchards utilize glyphosate for under-canopy weed control.

Commercial crops, including cotton, sugarcane, and plantation crops, are forecast to grow at 6.8% CAGR through 2031, this growth is driven by the adoption of desiccation protocols that enhance fiber quality in cotton and streamline harvest scheduling in sugarcane. In Argentina, the regulatory framework supports this expansion by authorizing glyphosate-tolerant cotton varieties and enforcing residue compliance through the National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA), providing legal assurance for growers and exporters exporters ^{[3]Source: ATANOR S.C.A., “etiq Glifosato II x 20L,” atanor.com.ar} . Other crops, such as pastures and forestry, along with non-agricultural applications like railway and roadside maintenance, contribute a stable but slower-growing share of the market. Infrastructure maintenance budgets and public-sector procurement cycles influence demand in these segments.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Biotechnology Adoption: Trait Systems Lock in Demand

Genetically Modified (GM) crops accounted for 60.0% of the glyphosate herbicide market size in 2025 and are projected to grow at a 6.5% CAGR through 2031. The expansion of this segment highlights the institutional adoption of herbicide-tolerant traits in major exporting countries. Seed companies in these regions integrate glyphosate tolerance with other traits, including insect resistance, drought tolerance, and yield enhancement, creating comprehensive systems that are challenging for farmers to separate.

The segmentation of the glyphosate herbicide market reveals a strategic divide within the global seed industry. In regions where Genetically Modified (GM) crops are widely accepted, such as the Americas and parts of Asia, seed companies are focusing on next-generation trait stacks. These stacks extend glyphosate's commercial relevance by incorporating tolerance into CRISPR-edited backgrounds that provide additional agronomic benefits. Conversely, in regions where the adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) crops is restricted, such as Europe and parts of Africa, manufacturers are prioritizing improvements in glyphosate formulations and application technologies to enhance its effectiveness in conventional cropping systems.

By Formulation: Dry Products Gain Ground in Logistics-Constrained Regions

Liquid formulations commanded a 73.0% of glyphosate herbicide market share in 2025, driven by their ease of tank-mixing, compatibility with precision-spray equipment, and established distribution infrastructure. These formulations also offer lower per-hectare application costs due to reduced labor requirements for handling and mixing compared to dry products. The choice of formulation has strategic implications for manufacturers and distributors. Liquid products necessitate investments in bulk storage tanks, filling lines, and hazardous-material transport certifications, creating entry barriers for smaller regional players. Meanwhile, the growing preference for dry formulations in emerging markets reflects a shift toward decentralized distribution, where smallholder farmers procure inputs from village-level retailers instead of manufacturers or large agri-retailers.

Dry formulations are forecast to grow at an 7.3% CAGR through 2031, driven by increasing adoption in Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific. Distributors in these regions favor granular products due to their reduced transport weight, minimized storage requirements, and ease of handling in areas with limited cold-chain infrastructure. Additionally, dry formulations are advantageous in markets with unreliable water quality, as they can be pre-mixed with known water volumes, avoiding compatibility issues that may arise when liquid concentrates are diluted with hard or saline water. These formulations can also be packaged in smaller units and distributed through general agricultural-input retailers, reducing the capital intensity of market entry. This approach requires more extensive dealer training to ensure proper reconstitution and application.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

North America’s 30% share of the glyphosate market in 2025 is driven by the widespread adoption of no-till soy and corn farming systems. Over 80% of growers in the region rely on herbicides for burndown and in-crop applications. In Canada, similar practices are observed in prairie wheat and canola farming, while Mexico's shift to mechanized maize farming is contributing to steady incremental demand. Litigation poses a significant risk to the market, with as pending cases could impact domestic supply if Bayer were to exit the market. To address this, state-level liability shields, such as those enacted in Georgia, aim to ensure continued production. The United States remains the largest single-country market, supported by carbon-credit programs that incentivize no-till farming. These programs sustain pre-plant glyphosate applications, even as increasing weed resistance necessitates higher doses and tank-mix combinations.

The Asia-Pacific region is projected to deliver the fastest regional growth, at a 6.90% CAGR, by 2031. In China, pesticide volumes have stabilized at approximately 240 -250 million metric tons, with glyphosate remaining among the top 10 active ingredients. India's agrochemical value chain is expanding, with increasing volumes of generic glyphosate as farmers adopt cost-effective weed control methods. Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are increasingly adopting pre-plant burndown practices to support double cropping. In Australia, broadacre cereal farms exhibit mature but steady demand, bolstered by precision guidance systems that optimize the application of inputs. India's regulatory environment remains cautious, with periodic reviews of glyphosate registrations and state-level restrictions in areas where environmental advocacy groups have raised concerns about groundwater contamination.

South America ranks second in glyphosate consumption, largely due to Brazil's projected 322.3 million metric ton grain harvest in 2025, which drives high herbicide usage. No-till farming spans over 35 million hectares in the region, making glyphosate essential for controlling grass weeds prior to planting. In Argentina, currency challenges have heightened price sensitivity but have not reduced reliance on glyphosate. Regional technological advancements, such as Syngenta's USD 65 million facility in Paulínia, focus on developing tropical-climate formulations to maintain efficacy under high humidity, supporting long-term market growth. In Brazil's cerrado region, the conversion of pasture and savanna into soybean plantations continues to drive incremental demand for glyphosate in pre-plant burndown and post-emergence weed control. Both Brazil and Argentina face increasing weed resistance, particularly in species like Amaranthus and Sorghum halepense. This has led agronomists to advocate for integrated weed management programs that combine residual herbicides with mechanical control methods.