North America Biocontrol Agents Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 146.80 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 218.80 Million |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 8.30% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
North America Biocontrol Agents Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The North America biocontrol agents market size stood at USD 146.8 million in 2025 and is forecast to expand to USD 218.8 million by 2030, reflecting an 8.3% CAGR through the period. This sustained rise draws strength from a widening organic acreage base, tighter pesticide regulations, and the greenhouse surge that now defines produce supply chains across the continent. Suppliers are scaling microbial fermentation lines faster than macrobial insectary capacity, as bacterial and fungal solutions continue to win label approvals more quickly under streamlined regulatory pathways. Mexico’s protected-agriculture boom has lifted the demand floor for biological pest control, while U.S. cost-share incentives and Canada’s priority review queue add momentum to near-term adoption. Competitive gains now hinge on the ability to deliver more stable shelf-life formats and to navigate the three-country registration mosaic without delaying product launch windows.
Key Report Takeaways
- By form, microbials captured 54.5% of the North America biocontrol agents market share in 2024 and are projected to post the fastest 8.9% CAGR through 2030.
- By crop type, row crops commanded 71.3% share of the North America biocontrol agents market size in 2024, while horticultural crops are advancing at an 8.4% CAGR over the same horizon.
- By geography, Mexico led with a 49.7% revenue share in 2024; the United States is set to expand at a 9.1% CAGR through 2030.
North America Biocontrol Agents Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escalating organic acreage programs | +2.10% | United States and Canada, with spillover to Mexico | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Regulatory bans on synthetic pesticides | +1.80% | North America-wide, strongest in United States | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Pest resistance to chemical actives | +1.40% | Global, concentrated in row crop regions | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Subsidies and fast-track registration | +1.20% | United States and Canada primarily | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Biologicals-as-a-service fermentation platforms | +0.90% | United States and Mexico greenhouse corridors | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Greenhouse boom in Mexico | +0.80% | Mexico central states, expanding to border regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Escalating Organic Acreage Programs
Certified organic farmland grew significantly in the last five years, with the United States contributing the largest share of the expansion. The organic premium that ranges between 25% and 40% above conventional prices offsets higher upfront biocontrol outlays, ensuring committed demand. Canada’s total cultivated area for certified organic vegetables grew by 1.5% to 5,688 hectares in 2024, targeting residue-sensitive European buyers[1]Canada Organic Trade Association, "2024. Canada Organic Trade Association Unveils New Organic Industry Stats 2024", September 10, 2024, https://canada-organic.ca/en. Mexico followed with a significant number of newly certified acres, primarily for berries and vegetables destined for U.S. retail channels. These trends widen the baseline for the North America biocontrol agents market as organic rules disallow most synthetic pesticides, forcing growers toward biological alternatives for in-season protection and post-harvest compliance. Extension services are scaling advisory programs to support first-time adopters, reinforcing the conversion cycle and supporting multi-year growth traction.
Regulatory Bans on Synthetic Pesticides
EPA restrictions in 2024 removed several active ingredients from mainstream use, immediately exposing protection gaps in corn, soybean, and fruit systems. Health Canada mirrored the move, delisting multiple chemistries under its Pest Control Products Act revision[2]Government of Canada, "Regulations amending the Pest Control Products Regulations", Publications Government of Canada, 2024, https://publications.gc.ca. Mexican authorities synchronized timelines, allowing shared data packages to cut review windows by half. Such coordinated action compresses chemical portfolios and accelerates biological substitutions, cementing a regulatory tailwind for the North America biocontrol agents market. Public scrutiny over pollinator health and groundwater safety keeps political pressure high, limiting chances of policy reversal and locking in a steady funnel of growers exploring non-chemical tools.
Pest resistance to chemical actives
Resistance cases climbed 18% in 2024, led by corn rootworm and soybean aphid populations that shrugged off long-used neonicotinoids[3]USDA Agricultural Research Service, “Pest Resistance Research,” ars.usda.gov. Studies show that rotations combining microbial agents with selective chemistry hold infestations below economic thresholds without imposing new resistance selection. Seed-applied Bacillus strains now provide season-long suppression in corn, illustrating the practical value of integrated regimes. Peer-reviewed findings in Journal of Economic Entomology confirm biological efficacy even against resistant pests, raising confidence among large-acre operators and widening the adoption pipeline for the North America biocontrol agents market.
Greenhouse boom in Mexico
Protected agriculture hectares reached 12,000 hectares in 2024, of which approximately 2,000 hectares are high-tech facilities. Greenhouses shorten pest cycles, elevate humidity, and limit the tolerance of agrochemical residues demanded by North American retailers, making biological control an operational necessity. Concentrated production zones enable distributors to make high-frequency deliveries, thereby mitigating shelf-life concerns and driving volume gains that anchor the growth trajectory of the North American biocontrol agents market.
Market Restraints
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short shelf life and logistics complexity | -1.50% | Rural areas across North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Limited mode-of-action spectrum | -1.10% | Broad-acre crop regions | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Field performance in high-UV zones | -0.80% | Southern United States and Mexico | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Microbial patent thickets | -0.60% | Technology development centers | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Short Shelf Life and Logistics Complexity
Most microbial products demand 2 °C to 8 °C storage, and viability can drop 20% each month outside that band[4]USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, “Cold Chain Infrastructure,” ams.usda.gov. Rural distribution corridors often lack refrigerated hubs, restricting reach beyond 200 miles of urban depots. Seasonal demand spikes outstrip cold storage, leading to stock-outs during peak pest windows. Freeze-drying extends shelf life but lifts production cost by roughly 25%, narrowing growers’ return on investment calculus. Cooperative buying clubs partially solve last-mile hurdles yet require careful coordination and shared risk frameworks. Unless formulation science delivers ambient-stable formats, shelf-life limitations will continue to temper near-term expansion for the North America biocontrol agents market.
Limited Mode of Action Spectrum
Biocontrol agents typically target a narrow pest range, forcing growers to maintain multi-product inventories and precise scouting routines. Tank-mix incompatibility among biologicals, or with fungicides and foliar feeds, complicates spray programs. The learning curve can stretch two or three seasons, during which yield variability may exceed conventional outcomes by 10%. Smaller operators struggle to absorb consultancy costs linked to accurate pest identification and application timing, slowing adoption in the broad-acre core of the North America biocontrol agents market.
Segment Analysis
By Form: Microbials Lead Through Fermentation Innovation
Microbials held 54.5% share of the North America biocontrol agents market in 2024, supported by scalable fermentation and favorable regulatory profiles. Bacillus-based solutions command row-crop seed treatments, while Trichoderma and Beauveria species thrive in protected horticulture. Macrobials remain essential in closed environments; entomopathogenic nematodes alone captured a significant share within the macrobial bucket in 2024. Insectary rearing capacity scales linearly with live biomass, constraining rapid output expansion and keeping microbial unit costs higher than those of macrobial equivalents. Meanwhile, demand for parasitoid wasps and predatory mites intensifies in greenhouses where zero-tolerance residue thresholds are in place.
The North America biocontrol agents market size tied to microbials is projected to climb at an 8.9% CAGR through 2030, reflecting growing confidence among large-acre growers. Second-generation microbials integrating dual-function consortia for disease suppression and nutrient mobilization are enhancing per-acre value without violating residue limits. As cold-chain logistics stabilize, the North America biocontrol agents market share for macrobials may regain momentum, yet microbes will likely preserve leadership due to their broader compatibility across open-field and controlled environments.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Crop Type: Row Crops Drive Volume Growth
Row crops accounted for 71.3% of total applications in 2024, anchored by corn and soybean acreages that dwarf specialty segments. Horticultural crops followed, benefiting from rising consumer demand for residue-free salad vegetables, while cash crops, including organic grains and oilseeds, contributed through premium-priced specialty channels. Seed-applied microbials dominate row-crop entry points, delivering season-long suppression without extra field passes. Conversely, horticulture operations often combine macrobials and microbials to fine-tune pest pressure under high humidity and dense canopy conditions.
Horticultural crops are set to expand at the fastest pace of 8.4%, driven by growing consumer demand for residue-free produce and increasing adoption of controlled-environment farming. The North America biocontrol agents market for row crops is forecast to grow steadily, aided by pesticide bans and seed-treatment compatibility. Cash crops maintain consistent growth aligned with organic and sustainable supply chain expansion. Precision agriculture tools enable variable-rate biocontrol application, optimizing dose economics and widening adoption curves across all categories within the North America biocontrol agents market.
Geography Analysis
Mexico retained a 49.7% lead in 2024, underpinned by greenhouse acreage that leaped significantly in last five years. The United States followed, while Canada accounted for a notable share supported by export-driven quality standards. The rest of North America remains largely untapped yet benefits from spillover education and cross-border trade, making it a latent contributor as regional trade agreements harmonize rules and data packages.
The United States posts the steepest 9.1% CAGR, energized by EPA fast-track protocols and cost-share subsidies. Canada’s market continues to expand, helped by a priority review gate and a shorter season that compresses application windows, heightening demand for shelf-stable formulations. Together, these growth dynamics reinforce North America’s expanding reliance on biologicals within integrated pest management frameworks across greenhouse and open-field systems.
Canada's shorter growing season concentrates biocontrol applications into intensive spring and summer periods, requiring sophisticated cold-chain logistics to maintain product viability during peak demand. Prairie provinces lead the adoption of biocontrol agents in canola and wheat production, where they provide resistance management benefits while maintaining export quality standards. Ontario and Quebec greenhouse operations mirror Mexico's protected agriculture model, using controlled environments to maximize biological agent efficacy while serving urban population centers with fresh produce demands.
Competitive Landscape
The market remains fragmented, with European majors Koppert and BioBee Ltd. setting benchmarks for portfolio breadth. Regional specialists capitalize on proximity advantages, particularly in fermentation capacity adjacent to the Midwest grain belts and Mexico’s greenhouse clusters. Patent intensity favors incumbents, but USPTO-driven claim narrowing opens biosimilar entry pathways. Companies that can finance refrigerated transport and customize microbial blends via biologicals-as-a-service models secure differentiated footholds.
Price competition remains tempered as efficacy and regulatory compliance overshadow unit cost in buyer decisions across the North America biocontrol agents market. Strategic differentiation is increasingly centered on regulatory navigation capabilities, as companies that can efficiently manage approval processes gain significant competitive advantages in terms of time-to-market and cost structure.
Technology adoption patterns favor companies investing in on-farm fermentation systems and cold-chain logistics networks that address the industry's persistent challenges related to shelf life and distribution. Patent landscapes around microbial strains create barriers for new entrants, though recent (United States Patent and Trademark Office's) USPTO decisions have narrowed the scope of allowable biological product claims, opening opportunities for biosimilar development strategies. White-space opportunities exist in row crop applications where chemical resistance problems are creating urgent demand for biological alternatives.
North America Biocontrol Agents Industry Leaders
-
Koppert
-
Eurazeo (Bioline AgroSciences)
-
BioBee Ltd.
-
Arbico Organics
-
Applied Bio-Nomics
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- June 2025: ProGro BIO, a developer of microbial-based agricultural technologies, has submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval of a new range of organic biocontrol agents. These natural formulations aim to combat soilborne and foliar fungal pathogens, parasitic nematodes, and significant insect pests, targeting persistent challenges in sustainable crop production.
- March 2025: Pro Farm a subsidiary of Bioceres Crop Solutions has announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of its RinoTec Technology, an innovative biocontrol agent. RinoTec demonstrates strong efficacy against plant-parasitic nematodes, wireworms, whiteflies, thrips, mites, lepidopterans, corn rootworms, and other significant foliar and soilborne pests. This regulatory milestone represents a notable step forward in promoting biocontrol adoption for sustainable pest management in U.S. agriculture.
North America Biocontrol Agents Market Report Scope
Macrobials, Microbials are covered as segments by Form. Cash Crops, Horticultural Crops, Row Crops are covered as segments by Crop Type. Canada, Mexico, United States are covered as segments by Country.| Macrobials | By Organism | Entomopathogenic Nematodes |
| Parasitoids | ||
| Predators | ||
| Microbials | By Organism | Bacterial Biocontrol Agents |
| Fungal Biocontrol Agents | ||
| Other Microbials |
| Cash Crops |
| Horticultural Crops |
| Row Crops |
| Canada |
| Mexico |
| United States |
| Rest of North America |
| Form | Macrobials | By Organism | Entomopathogenic Nematodes |
| Parasitoids | |||
| Predators | |||
| Microbials | By Organism | Bacterial Biocontrol Agents | |
| Fungal Biocontrol Agents | |||
| Other Microbials | |||
| Crop Type | Cash Crops | ||
| Horticultural Crops | |||
| Row Crops | |||
| Geography | Canada | ||
| Mexico | |||
| United States | |||
| Rest of North America | |||
Market Definition
- AVERAGE DOSAGE RATE - The average application rate is the average volume of biocontrol agents applied per hectare of farmland in the respective region/country.
- CROP TYPE - Crop type includes Row crops (Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds), Horticultural Crops (Fruits and vegetables) and Cash Crops (Plantation Crops, Fibre Crops and Other Industrial Crops)
- FUNCTION - The Crop Protection function of agirucultural biological include products that prevent or control various biotic and abiotic stress.
- TYPE - Biocontrol agents are the natural predators and parasitoids used to control various pests. Biocontrol agents include both microbials (Microorganisms) and macrobials (Insects).
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cash Crops | Cash crops are non-consumable crops sold as a whole or part of the crop to manufacture end-products to make a profit. |
| Integrated Pest Management (IPM) | IPM is an environment-friendly and sustainable approach to control pests in various crops. It involves a combination of methods, including biological controls, cultural practices, and selective use of pesticides. |
| Bacterial biocontrol agents | Bacteria used to control pests and diseases in crops. They work by producing toxins harmful to the target pests or competing with them for nutrients and space in the growing environment. Some examples of commonly used bacterial biocontrol agents include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Streptomyces spp. |
| Plant Protection Product (PPP) | A plant protection product is a formulation applied to crops to protect from pests, such as weeds, diseases, or insects. They contain one or more active substances with other co-formulants such as solvents, carriers, inert material, wetting agents or adjuvants formulated to give optimum product efficacy. |
| Pathogen | A pathogen is an organism causing disease to its host, with the severity of the disease symptoms. |
| Parasitoids | Parasitoids are insects that lay their eggs on or within the host insect, with their larvae feeding on the host insect. In agriculture, parasitoids can be used as a form of biological pest control, as they help to control pest damage to crops and decrease the need for chemical pesticides. |
| Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPN) | Entomopathogenic nematodes are parasitic roundworms that infect and kill pests by releasing bacteria from their gut. Entomopathogenic nematodes are a form of biocontrol agents used in agriculture. |
| Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) | VAM fungi are mycorrhizal species of fungus. They live in the roots of different higher-order plants. They develop a symbiotic relationship with the plants in the roots of these plants. |
| Fungal biocontrol agents | Fungal biocontrol agents are the beneficial fungi that control plant pests and diseases. They are an alternative to chemical pesticides. They infect and kill the pests or compete with pathogenic fungi for nutrients and space. |
| Biofertilizers | Biofertilizers contain beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth. |
| Biopesticides | Biopesticides are natural/bio-based compounds used to manage agricultural pests using specific biological effects. |
| Predators | Predators in agriculture are the organisms that feed on pests and help control pest damage to the crops. Some common predator species used in agriculture include ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites. |
| Biocontrol agents | Biocontrol agents are living organisms used to control pests and diseases in agriculture. They are alternatives to chemical pesticides and are known for their lesser impact on the environment and human health. |
| Organic Fertilizers | Organic fertilizer is composed of animal or vegetable matter used alone or in combination with one or more non-synthetically derived elements or compounds used for soil fertility and plant growth. |
| Protein hydrolysates (PHs) | Protein hydrolysate-based biostimulants contain free amino acids, oligopeptides, and polypeptides produced by enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis of proteins, primarily from vegetal or animal sources. |
| Biostimulants/Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) | Biostimulants/Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) are substances derived from natural resources to enhance plant growth and health by stimulating plant processes (metabolism). |
| Soil Amendments | Soil Amendments are substances applied to soil that improve soil health, such as soil fertility and soil structure. |
| Seaweed Extract | Seaweed extracts are rich in micro and macronutrients, proteins, polysaccharides, polyphenols, phytohormones, and osmolytes. These substances boost seed germination and crop establishment, total plant growth and productivity. |
| Compounds related to biocontrol and/or promoting growth (CRBPG) | Compounds related to biocontrol or promoting growth (CRBPG) are the ability of a bacteria to produce compounds for phytopathogen biocontrol and plant growth promotion. |
| Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria | Symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium obtain food and shelter from the host, and in return, they help by providing fixed nitrogen to the plants. |
| Nitrogen Fixation | Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process in soil which converts molecular nitrogen into ammonia or related nitrogenous compounds. |
| ARS (Agricultural Research Service) | ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. It aims to find solutions to agricultural problems faced by the farmers in the country. |
| Phytosanitary Regulations | Phytosanitary regulations imposed by the respective government bodies check or prohibit the importation and marketing of certain insects, plant species, or products of these plants to prevent the introduction or spread of new plant pests or pathogens. |
| Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) | Ectomycorrhiza (ECM) is a symbiotic interaction of fungi with the feeder roots of higher plants in which both the plant and the fungi benefit through the association for survival. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is not a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is kept constant throughout the forecast period.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms.
