Acaricides Market

Market Overview

The global acaricides market size was valued at USD 335.48 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 481.64 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period (2023–2031).The global acaricides are primarily driven by the increasing need for food security and enhanced quality. These compounds can also help to reduce the incidences of diseases such as Lyme disease, African swine fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, etc., thereby driving the market growth. Moreover, the demand for bio-based and organic acaricides is surging due to a growing concern for environmental health.

Acaricides are specialized compounds or chemicals formulated to eradicate or regulate populations of mites and ticks. Mites and ticks, arachnids of the class Arachnida, are commonly considered pests in agriculture, horticulture, and veterinary medicine. These pests can invade and spread throughout crops, animals, and humans, resulting in various issues, including plant destruction, disease transfer, and irritation or illness in animals and humans.

Acaricides control infestations caused by mites and ticks, safeguarding crops, livestock, and occasionally humans from their detrimental consequences. They are available in several forms, such as sprays, dusts, and systemic treatments. Acaricide misuse can have negative consequences on the environment, non-target creatures, and possibly human health; thus, it is crucial to use them cautiously and follow prescribed guidelines.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Bio-Based and Organic Acaricides

The global market expansion is driven by the growing demand for bio-based and organic acaricides due to the escalating interest in natural products and sustainable agriculture practices. Acaricides generated from natural sources, such as plants, microbes, and minerals, are known as bio-based acaricides. These acaricides have reduced toxicity and environmental effects compared to synthetic acaricides. Organic acaricides, which adhere to organic norms and laws, are favored by consumers with apprehensions about synthetic pesticide residues in food items.

Additionally, the growing environmental concerns and expansion of organic farming contribute to the increased demand for bio-based and organic acaricides. In 2019, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) reported that global organic agriculture grew by 1.1 million hectares, reaching 72.3 million hectares. Furthermore, there has been a surge in the initiative to develop more bio-based acaricides. For instance, The Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Lucknow have collaborated to create a biodegradable herbal acaricide to manage tick and mite infestations in cattle and pets.

Rising Need for Enhanced Food Quality

The rising need for food security and quality, driven by the expanding population and diminishing arable land, is a significant factor contributing to the growth of the acaricides market. Acaricides safeguard crops from the harmful effects of mites and ticks, which can substantially reduce crop output and quality degradation. For instance, studies have approximated that the reduction in agricultural yield caused by mite infestations could reach up to 13.8%. Acaricides effectively reduce the transmission of diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, African swine fever, and various others, by mites and ticks to animals and humans. Hence, using acaricides is imperative in guaranteeing food safety and safeguarding public health.

Market Restraint

Stringent Rules and Regulations

A significant obstacle to the acaricides market is the stringent rules and policies governing the registration, usage, and disposal of acaricides. These restrictions can impede market growth and hinder innovation. Acaricides are regulated by multiple regulatory bodies and agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union (EU), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and others. These entities have distinct rules and criteria for approving and monitoring acaricides.

The acaricide registration process can be prolonged, expensive, and complex, necessitating comprehensive data and testing on the product's effectiveness, safety, and ecological consequences. Moreover, the legislation and policies regarding acaricides can undergo regular changes in response to growing difficulties and concerns. In 2019, the European Union banned chlorpyrifos, an extensively utilized organophosphate acaricide, because of its recognized hazards to human health and the environment. Such factors restrict the market expansion.

Market Opportunities

Development of Novel and Innovative Acaricides

The development of new and innovative acaricides that can provide superior performance, efficiency, and safety compared to current products is anticipated to provide opportunities for market expansion. Advanced technologies, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, and genetic engineering, can be utilized to develop new acaricides. These technologies can improve the delivery, effectiveness, and management of acaricides.

For instance, nanotechnology can produce nano-formulations of acaricides, enhancing their solubility, stability, penetration, and release. Biotechnology enables the production of bio-pesticides that selectively target mites and ticks while sparing non-target creatures. Genetic engineering enables the alteration of crops and animals, granting them the ability to fight or tolerate infection by mites and ticks. Thus, developing new and innovative acaricides can give acaricides market participants a competitive advantage and a profitable market opportunity.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global acaricides market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global acaricides market shareholder and is estimated to expand substantially during the forecast period. The region is projected to dominate the acaricides market in market share during the forecast period, primarily due to its substantial agricultural sector. The Asia-Pacific area plays a significant role in the global food chain, accounting for almost 19% of global agriculture and food exports in the past decade. Moreover, as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization, Asia-Pacific accounts for 30% of the global agricultural region. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the extensive agricultural methods employed in India, China, Thailand, and other nations. One of the main producers and consumers of agricultural inputs is China. According to the data presented by FAOSTAT in 2020, the country possessed almost 8% of the global arable land, equivalent to approximately 119.474 million hectares.

Furthermore, according to the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific area is home to over 60% of the world's population and is projected to have substantial future expansion. The region's population is substantial and expanding, accompanied by an increase in wealth and a rapidly growing middle class. Consequently, the demand for food and agricultural commodities and resources will continue to surge. This is expected to drive the acaricides market in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific is also the fastest-growing regional market for acaricides due to the high demand for food security and quality, the increasing incidence of mite and tick infestation, and the rising adoption of bio-based and organic acaricides.

Europe is one of the regions in the world with a high emphasis on food safety and security. This increases the demand for integrating acaricides into the region's agricultural sector. In addition, the authorities in this region are focusing on eradicating the impact of harmful chemicals used in agriculture. For instance, in 2020, the European Parliament, the Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies (IPOL), and the Common Agricultural Policy took certain steps to diminish the risk of chemical pesticides and using fertilizers and antibiotics. Thus, the region's demand for bio-based and organic acaricides will increase.

Furthermore, the key market participants in the region are introducing new products to enhance their market share. For instance, Polithiol and Vondozeb were introduced by UPL Spain in January 2019 specifically for fruit trees. Polithiol exhibits efficacy as both an acaricide and insecticide while providing anti-cryptogamic properties. On the other hand, Vondozeb demonstrates effectiveness as a fungicide. Polithiol is a contact insecticide applied directly to insects and is made from pure mineral oil derived from paraffin. It exhibits efficacy against scale insects and mite eggs, demonstrating ovicidal and anti-hatching properties. Consequently, all these factors contribute to the market expansion.

In North America, the demand for acaricides is driven by the need for food safety and public health, the rising incidence of mite and tick-borne diseases, and the strict rules and policies governing the use of acaricides. The United States and Canada dominate the North American acaricides market, primarily because of their sophisticated and pioneering acaricides industry and their substantial consumption and export of acaricides. In addition, cattle fever ticks pose a significant risk to the U.S. cattle business. Therefore, there has been a surge in the research and development to develop novel acaricides. For instance, in April 2022, Texas A&M AgriLife's tick research received a USD 1 million funding increase to develop an innovative acaricide and vaccination to combat cattle fever tick. Such aspects expedite the market expansion.

Segmental Analysis

The global acaricides market is bifurcated into type, application, and mode of action.

Based on type, the global acaricides market is segmented into organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorines, pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and others. 

The organophosphates segment owns the largest market share. Organophosphates, commonly called phosphate esters or OPEs, are a group of organophosphorus compounds characterized by the general formula O=P(OR)3. This structure consists of a core phosphate molecule with alkyl or aromatic substituents. They can be regarded as phosphoric acid esters. They are extensively utilized in diverse industrial, agricultural, and domestic contexts. An important use of organophosphates is in the manufacturing of pesticides. In addition, organophosphates are the most used type of acaricides due to their outstanding efficacy, broad spectrum of action, and cost. Nevertheless, their heightened toxicity and environmental impact may limit their market expansion.

Based on application, the global acaricides market is bifurcated into agriculture, animal husbandry, industrial, and others. 

The agriculture segment dominates the global market. The agriculture sector primarily drives the acaricides market, which needs mite and tick damage control to safeguard crops. Acaricides safeguard crops against the harmful effects of mites and ticks. These pests can consume plant tissues, which results in decreased photosynthesis, hindered growth, and potentially fatal consequences for the plants. Certain mites and ticks serve as carriers for plant diseases.

Additionally, acaricides can mitigate the transmission of illnesses among crops by regulating their populations. However, it is crucial to exercise prudence while employing acaricides since over-dependence on chemical pesticides can result in problems such as the emergence of resistance in insect populations, damage to non-target organisms, and environmental contamination. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, which employ various strategies, are commonly advised to mitigate the adverse effects of pesticide application in agriculture.

Based on the mode of application, the global acaricides market is segmented into dipping, spraying, hand dressing, and others. 

The spraying segment is the highest contributor to the market. The most prevalent method of applying acaricides is through spraying, favored for its simplicity, even distribution, and affordability. During the spray application, liquid acaricides are applied to plants, crops, or other areas where mites and ticks are found. The application of sprays can be accomplished using handheld devices, sprayers attached to tractors, or aerial methods for larger regions. This strategy, commonly employed in agricultural and non-agricultural settings, enables extensive coverage.

Recent Developments

• November 2023- Godrej Agrovet (GAVL), a diversified agri-business company, introduced Rashinban, a pest control product designed to safeguard chili crops during flowering. The patented chemistry for Rashinban was discovered and developed by Nissan Chemical Corporation of Japan.
• November 2023- BASF and Pyrum entered into a new financing and cooperation agreement to facilitate the construction of a minimum of three additional plants by the year 2026.