| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 89.10 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 106.30 Million |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 3.60% |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
South America Molluscicides Market Analysis
The South America Molluscicides Market size is estimated at USD 89.10 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 106.30 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.60% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The increasing global population has intensified the demand for high-quality food production. As of July 1, 2024, South America's population stands at 435,611,302 (435.6 million), according to UN World Population Prospects 2024. The region represents 5.34% of the world population and two-thirds of Latin America and the Caribbean. Molluscicides are crucial in protecting crops from pests like snails and slugs, ensuring improved yields and food quality. Cereal crops, including rice, maize, and wheat, are highly vulnerable to mollusk infestations. Brazil, as a major maize producer, faces significant risks of mollusk infestation. According to the USDA, Brazil ranks third globally in corn (maize) production, with 122 million metric tons in the market year 2023-2024, accounting for 10% of global production.
Farmers in the region are increasingly implementing agrochemicals, including molluscicides, to improve crop protection and productivity. Government programs supporting agricultural advancement and providing farming incentives further encourage molluscicide use, contributing to market expansion. These developments are anticipated to drive market growth in the forecast period.
South America Molluscicides Market Trends
Increasing Production of Cereals and Grains in the Region
The increasing presence of mollusks as major agricultural pests in cereal grains has led to higher molluscicide usage in the region. These pests cause significant crop damage by feeding on young plants, destroying seeds, and damaging mature crops. According to FAOSTAT, maize production reached 186.27 million metric tons in 2023, a 2.32% increase from 182.04 million metric tons in 2022. This production growth corresponds to an expansion in the cereal grain cultivation area. FAOSTAT data shows that the maize-harvested area increased to 33.5 million hectares in 2023 from 33.2 million hectares in the previous year.
The expansion of cereal production provides more habitats for mollusk populations, necessitating enhanced pest control measures. Mollusks thrive in tropical climates, particularly in high temperature and humidity conditions, completing their life cycle in approximately 22 days at 30°C. During this cycle, they rapidly reproduce and spread across agricultural fields, causing extensive damage. These favorable climatic conditions in South American countries contribute to increased mollusk infestations, leading to crop losses and reduced yields. This situation has driven substantial molluscicide adoption in the market during the forecast period, as farmers seek effective solutions to protect their cereal crops and maintain productivity levels.
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Brazil Dominates the Market
Brazil represents a significant market for molluscicides in Latin America. The growing awareness among farmers about crop protection chemicals drives market growth. Major agrochemical companies have established their presence in the country. Snails and slugs are prevalent across various cropping systems, with conditions such as moisture, plant residues, and organic manures on the soil surface facilitating mollusk reproduction. These pests cause varying degrees of damage across different crops, particularly affecting wheat seedlings, corn, soybeans, and broadleaf crops.
In Mato Grosso do Sul, mollusk infestations have significantly impacted soybean crops, causing substantial leaf area loss as reported by Globo. Research by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) identified these pests as gastropod mollusks, which use their shells for protection against predators. Individual snails can produce up to 100 eggs, typically deposited in soil crevices or beneath decaying plant matter. Researchers have observed these organisms increasingly using soybean crops as hosts. As the largest cereal producer in the region, Brazil faces significant challenges from mollusk infestations. According to FAOSTAT, Brazil contributed 54.5% of the region's cereal harvested area in 2023, followed by Argentina and Bolivia.
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South America Molluscicides Industry Overview
The South American molluscicides market is consolidated, with a few major companies holding the majority market share. The primary market players include Lonza, Bequisa, Bioceres Crop Solutions, and Huagro. These companies focus on product innovation to meet the evolving requirements of regional farmers.
South America Molluscicides Market Leaders
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Bequisa
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Bayer Crop Science AG
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Huagro
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Bioceres Crop Solutions
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Lonza
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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South America Molluscicides Market News
- December 2024: ADAMA Ltd., a global crop protection company, plans to introduce the in-licensed active ingredient Feralla into the European molluscicide market. The active ingredient Feralla has received registration in multiple countries outside Europe, including South American nations.
- October 2022: The Argentine government established a credit line worth ARS 40 billion (USD 256.4 million) through the National Argentine Bank (BNA) to support investment projects for industrial and agroindustrial SMEs. This initiative enables new companies to enter and expand in the molluscicides market.
South America Molluscicides Industry Segmentation
Molluscicides are pesticides that control mollusks, primarily snails and slugs. These species cause significant agricultural losses and pose a major threat to crops. They damage crops both above and below ground by feeding on seeds, seedlings, shoots, roots, leaves, and flowers, which reduces plant density and crop yields. The South American molluscicides Market segments include Product Type (Ferric Phosphate, Metaldehyde, Methiocarb, Niclosamide), Application (Grains and Cereals, Pulse and Oil Seeds, Fruits and Vegetables, Plantation Crops, and Other Applications), and Geography (Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of South America). The report provides market size and forecasts in USD value for all segments.
| Product Type | Ferric Phosphate |
| Metaldehyde | |
| Methiocarb | |
| Niclosamide | |
| Application | Grains and Cereals |
| Pulse and Oil seeds | |
| Fruits and Vegetables | |
| Plantation Crops | |
| Other Applications | |
| Geography | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Rest of South America |
Product Type
| Ferric Phosphate |
| Metaldehyde |
| Methiocarb |
| Niclosamide |
Application
| Grains and Cereals |
| Pulse and Oil seeds |
| Fruits and Vegetables |
| Plantation Crops |
| Other Applications |
Geography
| Brazil |
| Argentina |
| Rest of South America |
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South America Molluscicides Market Research FAQs
How big is the South America Molluscicides Market?
The South America Molluscicides Market size is expected to reach USD 89.10 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.60% to reach USD 106.30 million by 2030.
What is the current South America Molluscicides Market size?
In 2025, the South America Molluscicides Market size is expected to reach USD 89.10 million.
Who are the key players in South America Molluscicides Market?
Bequisa, Bayer Crop Science AG, Huagro, Bioceres Crop Solutions and Lonza are the major companies operating in the South America Molluscicides Market.
What years does this South America Molluscicides Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South America Molluscicides Market size was estimated at USD 85.89 million. The report covers the South America Molluscicides Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South America Molluscicides Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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South America Molluscicides Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 South America Molluscicides market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South America Molluscicides analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
