Soil Treatment Market size is set to grow by USD 16.46 billion from 2023-2027, need to meet rising demand for crops boost the market, technavio

The Global Soil Treatment Market size is estimated to grow by USD 16.46 billion between 2022 and 2027 exhibiting a CAGR of 6.82%. The market's expansion relies on several factors, including the increasing demand for crops, exacerbated by soil degradation and environmental concerns. Government initiatives aimed at bolstering agricultural practices further drive growth. Rising population demands have heightened the need for increased agricultural output, while soil degradation and environmental issues underscore the urgency for sustainable farming methods. Government support through initiatives and policies provides crucial backing for agricultural development, fostering innovation and technology adoption to address these challenges and ensure food security for future.

The use of herbicides is a common method employed in agricultural weed control to manage weed populations and ensure successful crop establishment. However, the widespread use of chemicals, including petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals, raises concerns about contamination of arable land and soil treatment products. This contamination, compounded by industrialization and the presence of non-degradable materials like synthetic substances and particle matter, underscores the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices. Addressing these challenges is crucial to safeguarding both environmental health and the quality of agricultural biological and physical components.

Market Segmentation

This report extensively covers market segmentation by Type (organic amendments, ph adjusters, and soil protection), Technology (physiochemical treatment, biological treatment, and thermal treatment), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The market is pivotal in addressing the challenges posed by non-degradable materials such as chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and heavy metals that contaminate arable land. With the increasing industrialization, synthetic substances and particle matter have become major contributors to soil pollution.The treatment products, comprising biological components and physical components, play a crucial role in mitigating these issues. Herbicides are employed to manage weed populations, facilitating optimal crop germination and crop establishment during sowing. However, the overuse of horticultural synthetic chemicals and improper disposal methods like sewage pipes and landfills contribute to soil degradation. Addressing these concerns is imperative for safeguarding soil health and mitigating the adverse impacts of air pollutants on agricultural productivity.

By Type Insights

The organic amendments segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. One of the key components in agriculture and gardening is the organic soil treatment. The amendments are basically organic materials that are added to the soil to enhance its physical properties, nutrient content, and overall health. 

The organic amendments segment was the largest segment and was valued at USD 17.43 billion in 2017. The main benefit of this segment is its ability to enhance soil fertility as organic materials such as compost, animal manure, crop residues, and biochar are rich in organic matter and nutrients. Another benefit of these organic materials is that it helps to improve the cation exchange capacity of the soil, allowing it to retain and release nutrients more effectively as well as help break up compacted soils and promote the formation of aggregates, which create pore spaces for air and water movement. Hence, such benefits are expected to drive the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the global market growth during the forecast period.

Technology Insights

Based on technology physicochemical treatment holds the largest market share. Physicochemical treatment is a category of soil treatment technology that involves the application of physical and chemical processes to address specific soil issues and improve soil conditions. This includes solidification, stabilization, electric resistance heating, soil vapor extraction (SVE), chemical oxygenation, and fracturing. Electrical resistance heating (ERH): It is a method of in-situ environmental remediation. Using the alternating current, contaminants from the soil and groundwater are eliminated in this method. Chemical oxygenation: By injecting strong oxidants into the area or mechanically mixing them, one can speed up degradation reactions in the treatment zone. Soil vapor extraction (SVE): The soil's unsaturated zone is decontaminated using this method. Although it is typically used in situ, it can also be used ex situ. To remove volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants from the soil, vacuuming the ground creates controlled airflow. Thus, the growing use of physicochemical treatment will drive the growth of the market in focus in the physicochemical treatment segment during the forecast period.

Market Dynamic

The market is driven by various factors including the need to combat weed seeds and ensure optimal crop germination and establishment. Modern farming practices such as no-till and precision farming are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness in weed control while minimizing soil disruption. Growers rely on herbicides and insecticides to manage weed and pest populations, ensuring crop quality and yields. Fungicides and nematicides are also essential for protecting grains and cereals from fungal infections and microscopic nematodes. However, excessive herbicide and pesticide use can lead to ecosystem disruption and soil degradation. To address these challenges, the market emphasizes sustainable soil treatment practices to promote food security and maintain a stable food supply. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2022 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers, trends, and challenges will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage. 

Key Market Driver

One of the key factors driving the market growth is the need to meet the rising demand for crops. The increasing demand for food products is one of the key factors driving crop production. For instance, as per the World Bank data, the total population in the world was 7.9 billion in 2021. As a result, the gradual increase in population will significantly increase the demand for food products, forcing crop producers to utilize modern agriculture products to increase yield and avoid damage/wastage.

For instance, in India, there is increasing adoption of high-yield varieties (HYVs) across the agricultural sector in order to enhance diversification and productivity and thereby improve crop production. Hence, such factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Key Market Trends

A key factor shaping the market growth is the growing adoption of organic and sustainable practices. As there is a growing concern regarding the potential environmental and health risks associated with conventional chemical inputs and synthetic fertilizers, there is a growing preference for organic and sustainable practices in the global agricultural industry.

As a result, there is a growing adoption of organic soil amendments, biofertilizers, and biopesticides to enhance soil health while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This organic comprises the use of natural and renewable resources, such as compost, animal manure, cover crops, and crop residues. Some of the key advantages of these organic soil treatments are they enrich the soil with essential nutrients, improve soil structure, and enhance microbial activity. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Key Market Challenge

Lack of awareness regarding soil conservation is one of the key challenges hindering market growth. Factors such as the social, technological, and financial background of farmers can pose a significant threat to market growth. Also, the lack of proper knowledge of the benefits of the improved methods of farming is also negatively impacting the market growth.

One of the main challenges in the adoption practices in developing countries is the lack of awareness and skilled labor. Additionally, the high cost of implementation of such improved sustainable farming practices can impede market growth as well. Hence, such factors are expected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.

Region Analysis

APAC is estimated to contribute 29% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.

One of the main factors for the significant growth of the global transplant box market in North America is the region's large agricultural sector and increasing awareness about soil health and sustainability. Some of the key countries in North America include US, Canada, and Mexico each with its own unique agricultural practices, soil types, and market dynamics. Additionally, factors such as the need for improved soil fertility, rising demand for organic produce, and the adoption of advanced agricultural practices. Hence, these factors are expected to drive the global  market growth in the region during the forecast period.

Market Analyst Overview

The agriculture sector faces various challenges, including threats from flying and crawling insects and fungal diseases like damping-off, blight, and downy mildew. To combat these issues, farmers often resort to using chemicals such as Mancozeb and dithiocarbamates. However, over-reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to soil contamination and environmental degradation. To address these concerns, there's a growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture practices, including the adoption of soil treatment techniques and the integration of advanced technologies like biotechnology. Additionally, there's a shift towards organic farming, driven by health consciousness and the demand for high-quality food grains with improved nutritional composition. As agriculture intensifies, there's a need for environmentally friendly solutions, highlighting the importance of ecosystem analysis and the development of agricultural microbials.

The process of crop sowing and establishment is pivotal in agriculture, where no-till and minimum-till farming techniques are gaining popularity due to their benefits in preserving soil structure and reducing erosion. However, these methods also face challenges such as weed pressure, leading to increased herbicide use and associated costs. Additionally, pests like white grubs, wireworms, and fungus gnats, along with soil mealybugs, pose threats to crop health, requiring effective soil applications. Despite these challenges, agriculture continues to thrive, with crop cultivation holding the largest share in the global food production landscape.