Insect Growth Regulators Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Insect Growth Regulator Market Overview

Insect growth regulator market size is estimated to reach US$ 2.2 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022-2027. Insect growth regulators are the insecticides such as diofenolan and tebufenozide that disrupt the growth and reproduction of insects by interfering with their molting process. Such insecticides are mainly of two types i.e., chitin synthesis inhibitors that work by preventing chitin formation, and Hormonal IGRs like juvenile hormone analog & ecdysone hormone analog which work by inhibiting major hormones involved in insect molting. The drivers for the insect growth regulators market are growing demand for environment-friendly crop protection products such as biopesticides, government initiatives for promoting sustainable pest control, a growing volume of agriculture output, and a rise in organic farming practices in emerging economies. However, insect growth regulators if used alone as pest control chemicals are less effective on adult insects and have a low knockdown rate compared to other chemicals. Hence such factors make insect growth regulators less preferable for stand-alone products, which will hamper the growth of the insect growth regulator industry.

COVID-19 Impact

Insect growth regulators are used in pest control management and the demand for such insecticides is high in the agriculture sector as it helps the farmers to maximize their crops output by reducing the growth of pests that could damage the crop production. Besides the agriculture sector, insect growth regulators are also used in commercial buildings like retail stores, garages, warehouses, and also in residential buildings for pest control. The lockdown and social restrictions like quarantining, social distancing imposed by countries to stop the spreading of COVID-19 led to a decrease in the workforce in commercial sectors, shutting down of various factories, retail stores, and the agriculture activities also got halted which caused food insecurity, decrease in pesticide production and increased the price of existing food crops in stock. For instance, as per the 2021 World Bank report, 30% of the global population faced food insecurity in 2020, and prices of certain crops like maize and wheat were increased by 11% & 21% high. In the 2020 report of the Food and Agriculture Organization, due to restrictions on the movement of people and goods, there was a loss in production of vegetables & crops in most European countries while countries like China also reduced the production of farming inputs too, like pesticides. Hence with such a decrease in production activities in the agriculture sector, the demand for insect growth regulators also decreased as it is mainly used in agriculture farming for pest control management.

Report Coverage

The report: “Insect Growth Regulator Market – Forecast (2022 – 2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Insect Growth Regulator Market.

By Product Type – Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors, Juvenile Hormone, Ecdysone Hormone.
By Form Type – Liquid, Solid, Gas.
By Application – Agriculture (Horticulture crops, field crops, turf & ornamentals, Others), Livestock pest control, Commercial pest control (Retail stores, healthcare centers, warehouses, office buildings, others), Others (Hygienic pest control, biological pest control).
By Geography - North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherland, Spain, Russia, Belgium, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, Africa).

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the insect growth regulators market, as the region is a hub of some of the major countries that has agriculture as the main GDP contributor, like China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, etc. 
• The growing concern about environmental toxicity and mammalian safety will increase the demand for biodegradable insect growth regulators as it is more selective and less destructive to the environment.
• The increasing popularity of organic farming due to surging demand for organic food items will provide growth opportunities for the insect growth regulator industry, especially in the North American region.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Insect Growth Regulator Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)

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Insect Growth Regulator Market Segment – By Product

Chitin synthesis inhibitors held the largest share in the insect growth regulator market in 2021, with a share of over 35%. This owns to reason like chitin synthesis inhibitors has a longer effect on insects than hormonal analog, are quicker in acting, and also prevents the development of outer shell and embryos in insects which kills their eggs. Hence, as chitin synthesis inhibitors insect growth regulator is majorly used in the agriculture sector for crop protection, the growing volume of agriculture output will lead to an increase in usage of such insect growth regulators. For instance, as per the 2021 report of the National Bureau of Statistics China grain production increased by 2.2% compared to last year, and as per the U.S Department of Food and Agriculture, the wheat production of China increased was 136 million metric tons showing an increase of 2% compared from 2020. Hence such an increase in the production of such crops will lead to more usage of chitin synthesis inhibitors, thereby increasing their demand in the agriculture sector, which would have a positive impact on the growth of the insect growth regulator market.

Insect Growth Regulator Market Segment – By Form

Liquid form held the largest in the insect growth regulator market in 2021, with a share of over 40%. This owns to factors like it has a longer shelf life, as liquid concentrates sometimes it can be used as a stand-alone product in case of severe infestation and when mixed with water it can be used as a foliar spray for crops. The major use of such insect growth regulators is in horticulture and vegetable production. For instance, as per the 2021 Eurostat report European Union on agriculture production, the production volume of vegetables like carrot, tomatoes, onions increased in 2020 with high output seen for carrot 8.1% in Italy, tomatoes 56% in Portugal, and onion 28.2% in Greece. Moreover, as per the Agriculture Ministry of India, the horticulture production in India was 330 million tons in 2020, showing an increase of 3% from 2019. Such an increase in horticulture and vegetable production will lead to more usage of liquid insect growth regulators in them, thereby having a positive impact on the insect growth regulators industry in such countries. 

Insect Growth Regulator Market Segment – By Application

Agriculture held the largest share in the insect growth regulator market in 2021, with a share of over 45%. Insect growth regulators are used in agriculture to prevent and destroy pest formation to aid the production and yield of crops. With rapid development in the agriculture sector and new technologies being introduced like high-tech machines, robotics, etc. the production volume of the agriculture sector has also increased. For instance, as per the 2021 report of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the production of primary crops was 9.4 billion tones in 2019 which was 53% more than 2000. Also, the global vegetable production went up to 1128 million tones in 2019 showing an increase of up to 65%. Hence with such an increase in the production volume of crops, the demand for insect growth regulators for pest management will also increase, thereby having a positive impact on the growth of the insect growth regulator industry.

Insect Growth Regulator Market Segment – By Geography

Asia-Pacific held the largest share in the insect growth regulator market in 2021, with a share of over 40%. This is owning to factor like, the region consists of major agriculture producing countries like China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. with China being the largest consumer and producer of pesticides in the world. Hence due to rapid urbanization and growing developments in the agriculture sector of various countries in the Asia-Pacific region has increased the agriculture output in the region. For instance, as per the 2021 report of the United States Department of Agriculture, China and India were the largest producers of crops like wheat, rice, milled and Thailand saw an increase of 2% in its rice production from last year. Moreover, as per Food and Agriculture Organization, in the global production of crops like wheat, rice, potatoes, and oil palm fruit, Asia was the major producer with 90% in rice, 88% in oil palm fruit, 44% wheat, 51% potatoes. Hence the growing volume of agriculture production in Asia-Pacific will increase demand for insect growth regulators in the region for pest control.

Insect Growth Regulator Market Drivers

Increase in usage of environment-friendly crop protecting products

Synthetic pesticides are used in agriculture activities to protect crops from pests but they are highly toxic causing lung problems, cancers, skin disease, etc., and can contaminate agricultural produce also. Hence insect growth regulators though they are less toxic its mixture with synthetic pesticides makes them harmful to humans and the environment. Hence to prevent such contamination, the usage of biopesticides has become an efficient sustainable alternative. Such alternative is rich in defensive and amino acid storage function. The countries and organizations are realizing the necessity of using biopesticide in the agriculture sector. For instance, the 2020 report of the European Commission had stated that biopesticide products offer less toxicity, are easily decompose in the environment, and are advantageous both at the human health level and environment level. Also, in 2021 China launched the “10 billion Agriculture Initiative” which aims to accelerate sustainable agriculture techniques in the country. Hence, as insect growth regulators are also environment friendly and biodegradable, so such growing awareness for biopesticides and sustainable farming techniques would boost the usage of the insect growth regulator with them.

Government Initiatives for sustainable pest control

Insect growth regulators are a kind of bio-rational compound which are harmless to humans and also, they have good compatibility with biopesticides. Hence various initiatives are being taken by governments to promote sustainable pest control that is less harmful to humans. For instance, the European Union's recent legislation has synchronized with the political will to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and encourage the use of biopesticides. Also, as per the 2021 report of the U.S Environment Protection Agency, the organization has started a “Pesticide Environment Stewardship Program” that encourages smart, sensible, sustainable pest control in agriculture. In China’s initiative “The National Plan to Boost high-quality Development Agriculture from 2018-2022, the country aims to take necessary steps to promote green pest management. Such initiatives will lead to more usage of insect growth regulator such as chitin synthesis inhibitors which is also used in green farming.

Insect Growth Regulator Market Challenges

Less effective insecticide for adult insects

Insect growth regulators are effective only at the initial stage of insect growth as they interfere with the growth, development, and metamorphosis process of insects. However, these regulators are less effective on insects that have completed one growth cycle and reached the next phase and the mutation in insect genes enables them to show resistance towards these regulators. Also, the resistance of insects towards insect growth regulators makes these regulators have a low knockdown effect as compared to other insect control chemicals. Hence, such weak factors make insect growth regulators a less suitable option for killing adult insects and can harm their usage as a pest control chemical.

Insect Growth Regulator Industry Outlook

The companies to develop a strong regional presence and strengthen their market position, continuously engage in mergers and acquisitions. Insect Growth Regulator top 10 companies include:

1. Bayer Crop Science AG
2. Nufarm Ltd.
3. Central Garden & Pet Co.
4. Dow chemical company
5. HELM Agro US Inc.
6. Kumiai Chemical Industry
7. Nissan Chemicals
8. United Phosphorus Limited
9. Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited
10. Control Solution Inc.

Recent Developments

• In 2021, Bayer Crop Science launched Vayego 200SC, a new multi-faceted insecticide that works against caterpillars and addresses the diverse protection needs of modern farmers
• In 2021, FMC collaborated with Novozymes to produce biological-based insecticides and fungicides. Hence such collaboration will enable the two companies to produce biological crop protection products

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