Brazilian inoculant market in 2024 and outlook for 2025

Sales and delivery of inoculants in Brazil

The expectation is a 12.4% increase in inoculant sales in 2025 compared to 2024, according to estimates from the National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biological Industry (ANPII Bio).

In 2024, inoculant sales totaled R$527.5 million, representing a 10.5% increase compared to 2023 (Figure 2). Regarding deliveries, the volume was 18.3 million liters, equivalent to 206 million doses, a 28.1% rise compared to 2023, when 148 million doses were delivered (Figure 1).

The increase in the values and number of deliveries of biological inoculants suggests greater diversification in the strategies adopted by rural producers to ensure better productivity and resilience in their crops.

Figure 1. Doses of inoculants delivered in Brazil, in millions of doses.

Source: ANPII Bio/ Charting: Scot Consultoria

Figure 2. Evolution in the value of inoculant delivery (millions of reais).

Source: ANPII Bio/ Charting: Scot Consultoria

Biological inoculants can be formulated based on different microorganisms. In 2024, Bradyrhizobium-based products were the most widely used, accounting for 57% of sales (77% in terms of doses). On the other hand, inoculants containing Azospirillum and Pseudomonas accounted for 29% and 4% of sales, respectively (21% in terms of doses) (figure 3).

Figure 3. Inoculant delivery by microorganism (millions of R$).

Source: ANPII Bio/ Charting: Scot Consultoria

Profile of the use of biological inoculants in Brazil

In 2024, in terms of crops treated with biological inoculants, soybeans lead, with 75% of consumption, followed by corn, with 16%, sugarcane with 4%, and finally, beans, wheat, and other crops with 5% (ANPII Bio). Other crops offer opportunities for growth in the adoption of biological products. There is room and opportunity for the adoption of this technique in pastures, given the potential benefits of using biological inoculants alone or in co-inoculation.

In relation to the states that use the most biological inoculants, Mato Grosso leads, with around 19% of the value of deliveries. Next come São Paulo, Paraná and Goiás, all with 13%, and Rio Grande do Sul with 10%. These states represent 68% of the total doses delivered. The remaining 32% is divided among the other states, and a small portion, 1.6%, was destined for the foreign market (figure 4).

Figure 4. Delivery of inoculants in 2024 by Brazilian state.

Source: ANPII Bio

Potential results

There is a clear justification for expanding the inoculant market in different crops: proven results. Some examples are:

Sugarcane

Azospirillum: The use of Azospirillum brasilense in sugarcane can increase productivity by up to 20% and improve tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity (Silva et al., 2021).

Pseudomonas: Inoculants containing Pseudomonas fluorescens promote root growth and increase disease resistance, resulting in a productivity increase of up to 15% (Oliveira et al., 2022).

Soybean

Bradyrhizobium: Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum can increase soybean yield by up to 16% (Hungria et al., 2021).

Azospirillum: Co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium with Azospirillum brasilense can increase soybean yield by up to 16%, improving nutrient uptake efficiency and resistance to environmental stresses (Zeffa et al., 2020).

Corn

Azospirillum: Inoculation of corn seeds with Azospirillum brasilense can reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers by up to 25% and increase yield by up to 10% (Gomes et al., 2023).

Pseudomonas: Inoculants containing Pseudomonas spp. can increase biomass and grain production by up to 12% (Boschiero, 2025).

Beans

Bradyrhizobium: Inoculating with Bradyrhizobium spp. can increase bean productivity by up to 15% and promote soil health (Mendes et al., 2024).

Paenibacillus: The use of Paenibacillus polymyxa as an inoculant in beans can enhance nutrient absorption and photosynthetic efficiency, leading to a productivity increase of up to 10% (Cunha et al., 2024).

Biological inoculants stand out for their ability to enhance the efficiency of various agricultural crops in utilizing applied inputs, such as fertilizers or resources already present in the crop. They can improve the root capacity of plants through the exudation of phytohormones and aid in pathogen resistance, among other mechanisms.

Furthermore, the fact that they are a sustainable technology with a relatively affordable cost allows for versatility in their use and adoption in different types of agricultural cultivation. It is, without a doubt, a promising market that tends to maintain consistent growth in the coming years, driven by the growing demand for more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.

References

ASSOCIAÇÃO NACIONAL DE PROMOÇÃO E INOVAÇÃO DA INDÚSTRIA DE BIOLÓGICOS. Estatísticas. Disponível em: https://anpiibio.org.br/estatisticas/.

BOSCHIERO, M. Efeito de Pseudomonas spp. na produção de milho. Revista Brasileira de Agronomia, v. 45, n. 2, p. 123-130, 2025.

CUNHA, A. L. Uso de Paenibacillus polymyxa em feijão: benefícios agronômicos. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, v. 59, n. 4, p. 345-352, 2024.

GOMES, R. M. Inoculação de Azospirillum brasilense em milho: redução de fertilizantes nitrogenados. Ciência Rural, v. 53, n. 1, p. 78-85, 2023.

HUNGRIA, M. et al. Bradyrhizobium japonicum na fixação biológica de nitrogênio em soja. Agronomia Brasileira, v. 60, n. 3, p. 210-217, 2021.

MENDES, J. P. et al. Bradyrhizobium spp. e a produtividade do feijão. Revista de Agricultura, v. 58, n. 2, p. 98-105, 2024.

OLIVEIRA, F. S. Pseudomonas fluorescens e a produtividade da cana-de-açúcar. Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Agrícola, v. 47, n. 1, p. 45-52, 2022.

SILVA, T. R. et al. Azospirillum brasilense e a tolerância a estresses abióticos em cana-de-açúcar. Revista de Biotecnologia, v. 50, n. 4, p. 300-307, 2021.

ZEFFA, D. M. et al. Co-inoculação de Brady rhizobium e Azospirillum em soja. Ciência Agrícola, v. 55, n. 2, p. 150-158, 2020.