United Kingdom Crop Protection Market Overview, 2029

The United kingdom’s crop protection market has been a crucial component of its farming sector, influenced significantly by the introduction of artificial pesticides in the 1950s. These substances, such as weed killers, bug killers, and disease control agents, greatly increased farming output. Yet, worries regarding potential harm to the environment and public health resulted in more stringent regulations starting in the latter part of the 20th century. Currently, in the UK, crop protection products are overseen by the Plant Protection Products (PPP) Regulations 2011 and additional national frameworks post-Brexit, after the country’s departure from the European Union. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the main organization responsible for regulating and approving pesticides, ensuring they meet strict safety, environmental, and public health criteria. The crop protection market in the UK has been moving towards sustainability, following worldwide trends. There has been a shift towards reducing the use of chemical pesticides in the industry, with a rising emphasis on bio pesticides made from natural sources such as plants, bacteria, or minerals, that are seen as more eco-friendly. Furthermore, the promotion of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies aims to reduce environmental impact by combining biological, cultural, and mechanical control methods with targeted pesticide use. Precision agriculture, which involves the use of technologies such as drones and GPS, is increasingly important as it allows farmers to apply pesticides more effectively and only in necessary areas. Brexit has resulted in modifications to the UK’s crop protection policies, giving it increased freedom to determine its own regulations. The government has shown dedication to balancing productivity with environmental preservation through the Agriculture Act 2020, which promotes sustainable farming practices and advancements in crop protection.

According to the research report "UK Crop Protection Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the UK Crop Protection market is anticipated to grow at more than 1.81% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The crop protection market in the United Kingdom consists of a variety of significant players, such as large companies, local businesses, and new creative enterprises. Large multinational corporations such as Bayer, Syngenta, and BASF control the industry, providing a diverse selection of weed killers, fungicides, and insecticides to meet different agricultural requirements. Partnerships with research institutions are essential for creating sustainable and efficient methods for protecting crops. For example, collaborations focused on improving the effectiveness of biopesticides and integrating pest management strategies are growing more prevalent. After Brexit, the UK government’s regulatory frameworks have influenced the market by changing import and export dynamics. The UK relies heavily on Europe, specifically Germany and France, for a large part of its crop protection products, and in turn sells to Africa and the Middle East, showcasing its close agricultural connections with these areas. Local suppliers like AgriCure and Certis Europe play a part in the market by providing specialty products that cater to the specific requirements of farmers and sustainability criteria. Furthermore, the growing focus on organic agriculture and eco-conscious methods is stimulating creativity, as businesses are dedicating resources to R&D for bio-derived remedies. As the market progresses, precision agriculture and digital farming technologies are influencing the application and management of crop protection products, leading to increased efficiency and decreased environmental impact. In general, the crop protection market in the UK is strong, with continued investments and partnerships working to tackle the issues of food security and sustainability in agriculture.

Herbicides dominate the crop protection market in central UK because of the area's agricultural emphasis on cereals, oilseeds (particularly rapeseed), and root crops such as potatoes. Fast-growing weeds pose a tough challenge for these crops, as they can greatly reduce yields by outcompeting crops for crucial nutrients, water, and sunlight. The UK's damp, cool climate is perfect for weeds, so herbicides are necessary for farming there. Herbicides are a precise and effective method for managing weeds, especially important in the central UK where intensive farming is widespread. The main factor contributing to herbicides' prevalence is the transition to minimal tillage methods, which aim to minimize soil disturbance and erosion. Herbicides enable farmers to manage weeds without depending on regular mechanical tilling, supporting environmentally friendly methods. Moreover, herbicides have improved by using selective formulations to target particular weed species, enhancing effectiveness while minimizing harm to crops and environmental impact. The growing emphasis on sustainability in the UK agriculture sector has resulted in the creation of herbicides that comply with strict environmental laws, making them more attractive to farmers. Key players in the UK herbicide industry are Bayer Crop Science, BASF, Syngenta, and Corteva Agriscience, offering a variety of herbicide options. These companies have a reputation for consistently investing in research and innovation to offer herbicides that work well in the UK's climate and meet regulatory requirements. Distributors like Frontier Agriculture, Agrii, and Hutchinsons are crucial in ensuring farmers have access to these herbicides.

Oilseeds and pulses dominate the UK crop protection market, mainly because of the high production of crops like rapeseed and pulses like peas and beans. Rapeseed plays a vital role in the UK by being a significant source for cooking oil, animal feed, and biodiesel, resulting in its status as one of the most economically beneficial crops. Moreover, pulses have become more important as they have a crucial role in crop rotation schemes, benefiting soil health with nitrogen fixation and supporting the UK's sustainable farming methods. The increasing desire for plant-based proteins in the food industry is driving the growth of pulses, elevating their importance in UK farming. Various dangers like pests, diseases, and weeds threaten these crops, highlighting the need for efficient crop protection to sustain productivity and economic success in agriculture. For example, rapeseed is at risk of diseases such as sclerotinia and pests like cabbage stem flea beetles, whereas pulses are prone to fungal diseases and insect attacks. Therefore, there is a great need for herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides designed for oilseeds and pulses. Herbicides are vital for managing aggressive weeds, while fungicides and insecticides protect crops from pests and diseases. Key players in the UK crop protection market for oilseeds and pulses are Bayer Crop Science, BASF, Syngenta, and Corteva Agriscience. These international corporations offer various specialized crop protection solutions, such as innovative herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides designed to address the specific difficulties presented by oilseeds and pulses in the UK's weather conditions.
COVID-19 Impact

The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected public health as well as the global economy. The COVID-19 impact on the global economy has resulted in socio-economic disruptions; along with other industries, the spread of COVID-19 has affected the agriculture input sector. The coronavirus has impacted critical processes in the production and distribution of agrochemicals, from raw material imports to end-product manufacturing. The supply chain was hindered due to the travel restrictions imposed by many different countries globally. The fluctuating prices of chemicals as raw materials along with the inconsistent demand from the consumers during times of economic distress hampered the market growth rate.
Major companies mentioned: Basf SE, Bayer AG, Corteva AgriSciences, FMC Corporation, Huapont Life Sciences, Nufarm, Sumitomo Chemicals, Syngenta AG, UPL




Considered in the report
• Geography: UK
• Base year: 2023
• Historical year: 2018
• Forecasted year: 2029

Regions & countries covered:
• North America (US, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, Malasia, Thailand)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle East & Africa (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, South Africa)

Aspects covered in the report
• Market Size by Value for the period (2018-2029F)
• Market Share by Product Type (Herbicide, Insecticide, Fungicides & Bactericides, and Others)
• Market Share by Application (Cereals & Grains, Oilseeds & Pulses, Fruits & Vegetables, and Others)
• Market Share by Region
• Market Share by Country
• Market Share by Company

The approach of the report:
We keep an eye on evolving markets and try to evaluate the potential of the products and services. If we find the market interesting, we start working on it and create the desired table of content, considering all aspects of the business. We start by creating separate questionnaires for C-level executives, national/regional sales personnel, company owners, dealers, distributors, and end-users. Once the questionnaires have been finalized, we start collecting the primary data (mostly through phone calls) and try to understand the market dynamics regionally or tier-wise. This process gives us in-depth details of the market, including all present companies, the top-performing products with reasons why they dominate; we get the details of new players and their innovative approaches; market trends; dynamics; and all the small details of the market. After the collection of primary inputs, we then cross-check the same with secondary sources that include associations, trade journals, annual reports, paid databases, newspapers, magazines, press releases, government sources, etc. From this, we get a rough estimate of the market and start checking existing product price variants, trade, production, raw material scenarios, policies and regulatory landscape, etc. Then, to finalize the market, we start collecting financials of each player present in the market, including limited, private limited, and LLPs. At the same time, the content team starts preparing company profiles, market dynamics, market trends, five forces, PEST analysis, etc. Once the data is verified by the data expert, the team (primary team, content team, and data team) together crosscheck the segmentations, validate the market, and then the designing team starts plotting the graphs. Once the file is ready, the content team completes the report and makes sure that all the discussed points have been covered and provides their valuable inputs in the form of strategic recommendations for new as well as existing players. The QC team then checks the overall report that includes spell check, data verification, and makes the same dispatch ready and error-free.

Intended Audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Agriculture industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.