US Insecticide Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

US Insecticide Market Trends

Increasing pest pressure is driving the demand for insecticides in the country

• The consumption of insecticides in the United States per hectare experienced a significant increase of 17.1% from 2017 to 2022. This notable surge can be attributed to a variety of factors that have influenced the usage of insecticides in the country, including the expansion of intensive farming practices and increased pest pressures in certain regions.
• Crop losses and yield reduction caused by pests have become a major concern for farmers. For instance, in the case of wheat, one of the significant field crops in the United States, the yield witnessed a decrease from 3,200 thousand g/ha in 2018 to 2,978.2 thousand g/ha in 2021, primarily due to factors such as pest infestations. Such losses in crop productivity pose a significant threat to food security and necessitate the use of insecticides to mitigate the damage caused by pests.
• Invasive insects and pathogens contribute to the need for increased insecticide usage. Crop and forest production losses resulting from these invasive species have been estimated at almost USD 40 billion annually. To combat these detrimental effects, farmers have to resort to insecticides to protect their crops and mitigate economic losses.
• Additionally, the development of resistance among pests toward certain pesticides is a growing concern. Over time, pests can adapt and become resistant to the effects of certain insecticides, rendering them less effective. This necessitates higher application rates or more frequent use of insecticides to achieve the desired level of pest control, further driving up the consumption of these chemicals.
• Therefore, increasing crop losses, reduction of yield, and the growing demand for food are expected to drive the growth of the US insecticide market.

The effectiveness of cypermethrin in controlling various insects and fluctuations in import tariffs are driving its prices

• In 2022, the price of cypermethrin was USD 21.2 thousand per metric ton. It has been widely adopted in the agricultural industry for its effectiveness in controlling various types of insects, including aphids, beetles, spotted ball worms, pink ball worms, early spot borers, and hairy caterpillars. Its effectiveness has made it a popular choice for farmers seeking to protect their crops from pests and ensure a successful harvest.
• Imidacloprid is a powerful neonicotinoid insecticide with effective systemic and residual properties. It can control a wide range of insects, including aphids, cane beetles, thrips, stink bugs, locusts, and a variety of other insects that damage crops. It is also used as a seed treatment to protect emerging plants from pests and is often used to control soil-dwelling pests that can damage young plants as they germinate and grow. Products containing imidacloprid are sold in various formulations, including liquid and solid concentrates. Due to its plant compatibility and low application rates, it is a popular choice among farmers. The price of this active ingredient was valued at a price of USD 17.2 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• In agricultural production, malathion is an organophosphate insecticide that is used to control a wide variety of food and feed crops to control many types of insects such as aphids, fleas, leafhoppers, Japanese beetles, and other insect pests on a number of crops. Five crops that are extensively grown in the United States that use malathion frequently are cherry tomato, broccoli, mulberry, cranberry, and fig. It was priced at USD 12.6 thousand per metric ton in 2022.

Segment Analysis: Application Mode

Foliar Segment in US Insecticide Market

The foliar application mode dominates the US insecticide market, accounting for approximately 56% market share in 2024. This traditional and common application method is widely adopted by farmers due to its effectiveness in controlling targeted insect pests and its role in enhancing crop management practices. The foliar mode applies insecticides directly to the foliage of the plant, resulting in rapid action against insect pests. Grain and cereal crops, along with pulses and oilseed crops, are the major users of foliar insecticide applications, collectively accounting for over 80% of foliar insecticide usage. This high adoption rate is primarily attributed to these crops being more susceptible to various insect pests, including corn rootworms, spider mites, grasshoppers, maggots, stink bugs, armyworms, and leaf beetles.

Seed Treatment Segment in US Insecticide Market

The seed treatment application mode is projected to grow at approximately 5% CAGR during 2024-2029, emerging as the fastest-growing segment in the US insecticide market. This growth is driven by increasing awareness among farmers about the benefits of seed treatment application in protecting seedlings from early-season damage and facilitating faster seed emergence. The segment's growth is particularly strong in grain and cereal crops, where it helps control various insect pests, including aphids, flea hoppers, plant bugs, thrips, wireworms, leaf beetles, seedcorn maggots, white grubs, and grape colaspis. The availability of various seed treatment insecticides such as imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, dinotefuran, and thiacloprid further supports this growth trajectory.

Remaining Segments in Application Mode

The remaining segments in the US insecticide market include soil treatment, fumigation, and chemigation modes. Soil treatment is gaining prominence as a preventive approach in pest management practices, particularly effective against soil-borne pests. Fumigation mode is primarily used for controlling pests in soil and stored facilities, utilizing toxic gases or formulations that can penetrate commodities and agricultural soils. The chemigation mode, while having a smaller market share, is gaining popularity due to its benefits in minimizing potential hazards to humans and the environment, particularly beneficial in areas where agricultural land is situated near residential areas. Each of these application modes serves specific purposes in pest control and contributes to the overall effectiveness of insecticide applications in US agriculture.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Grains & Cereals Segment in US Insecticide Market

The Grains & Cereals segment dominates the US insecticide market, commanding approximately 45% market share in 2024, primarily due to the extensive cultivation areas and increased pest pressures in these crops. The United States, being a global leader in corn production, faces significant challenges from various pests such as corn rootworm, two-spotted spider mites, western bean cutworms, corn earworms, banks grass mites, grasshoppers, and European corn borer, which drives the substantial consumption of insecticides in this segment. The segment is also experiencing the fastest growth trajectory, projected to expand at nearly 5% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, driven by increasing cultivation areas and frequent insect pest infestations. The segment's prominence is further reinforced by the critical role these crops play in food security and their susceptibility to various pest infestations, necessitating consistent and effective pest management strategies.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The US insecticide market encompasses several other significant segments, including Pulses & Oilseeds, Turf & Ornamental, Commercial Crops, and Fruits & Vegetables. The Pulses & Oilseeds segment, particularly soybeans, represents a substantial portion of the market, with farmers heavily relying on insecticides to combat pests like stink bugs, corn earworms, and spider mites. The Turf & Ornamental segment serves the growing demands of landscaping, golf courses, and ornamental plant cultivation, while the Commercial Crops segment addresses the specific needs of cotton, tobacco, and sugarcane cultivation. The Fruits & Vegetables segment, though smaller, remains crucial for protecting high-value crops from various pests and maintaining crop quality for both domestic consumption and export markets.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack with 50+ graphs on insecticide, fungicides, and herbicides consumption per hectare and the average price of active ingredients used in insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, and molluscicides. The data pack includes Globe, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa.