Global biostimulants market reaches $4.47 billion as industry enters a new growth phase

The global biostimulants market reached a value of $4.47 billion in 2025, marking a turning point for an industry that is moving from rapid, opportunistic expansion to a more science-based and structured growth model, according to the latest Global Biostimulant Market Report 2025 published by research firm DunhamTrimmer. The report, released in November 2025, analyzes market performance and projections across regions, product categories, and crop segments, highlighting why biostimulants are becoming a strategic input in modern agriculture despite broader economic and regulatory challenges.

According to DunhamTrimmer, the sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% through 2030, the first time growth has dipped below double digits. However, the firm emphasizes that this does not signal a slowdown. Instead, it reflects a market that is scaling up and reaching a level of maturity where percentage growth naturally moderates as absolute values increase. In real terms, the global biostimulants industry is expected to add more than $500 million in annual revenue each year through the end of the decade.

The findings were highlighted by Manel Cervera, managing partner and chief operating officer at DunhamTrimmer, who described the current stage as one in which the market’s “critical mass has increased substantially,” enabling deeper investment in research, product differentiation, and regulatory alignment.

Biostimulants, while still representing a relatively small share of the overall fertilizer and crop input market, have gained traction due to their ability to improve plant performance while aligning with the goals of sustainable agriculture. These products work by activating processes already present in plants, enhancing nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, efficiency, and ultimately yield, without acting as traditional fertilizers or crop protection chemicals.

Despite ongoing pressures from inflation, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory changes in key markets, DunhamTrimmer notes that biostimulants have shown remarkable resilience. The report suggests that future growth will depend less on rapid market entry and more on scientific validation, consistent efficacy, and adoption at scale, particularly in broad-acre crops.

From a regional perspective, Latin America stands out as the global leader in both market value and growth. The report indicates that the region has consolidated its position at the top of the biostimulants market, with Brazil accounting for roughly 50% of Latin America’s total revenue. Strong agricultural exports, large-scale crop production, and increasing adoption of biological inputs have driven this leadership, positioning the region as a key engine of global demand.

The United States remains the largest single-country market for biostimulants, supported by a distribution network that is evolving beyond logistics into formulation and innovation leadership. According to DunhamTrimmer, many U.S. distributors are increasingly investing in proprietary formulations, helping to drive product differentiation and adoption across diverse crop systems.

In contrast, Europe ranks fourth globally and continues to lag behind other major regions. The report notes that the European biostimulants market has “not yet reached critical mass” sufficient to lift overall growth trajectories. However, rising interest in CE certification and regulatory clarity could help reignite momentum in the coming years.

Africa, while still a relatively small market, is described as promising over the long term, particularly as commercial distribution channels improve and awareness of biological inputs increases among producers.

The report also provides a detailed breakdown of product categories, revealing which substances are driving sales and which are emerging as potential disruptors. Amino acids remain the largest biostimulant category worldwide, supported by their versatility in formulations and their strong alignment with circular economy principles. Their compatibility with a wide range of crops and application methods has helped sustain their leading position.

Algae extracts hold the second-largest share of the market, continuing to benefit from broad agronomic use and growing acceptance among farmers. Humic and fulvic acids also remain relevant in 2025, particularly in irrigated agriculture, where their role in improving soil structure and nutrient availability is well established.

One of the most notable trends identified by DunhamTrimmer is the rise of single biostimulant molecules (SBMs). These high-specificity products offer more consistent performance and are seen as having the potential to unlock large-scale adoption in row crops and cereals, a segment traditionally slower to adopt biostimulants compared to specialty crops.

In terms of crop demand, fruit and vegetable production continues to account for more than 50% of global biostimulant use, reflecting the high value of these crops and the emphasis on yield quality and stress management. However, row crops and cereals are now the fastest-growing segment, positioning them as the next major driver of market expansion as formulations become more tailored to large-acreage systems.

DunhamTrimmer concludes that the biostimulants industry is entering a phase defined less by experimentation and more by execution. As the market matures, companies that invest in robust science, clear value propositions, and regulatory readiness are expected to capture the greatest share of future growth. While biostimulants may still represent a small fraction of global agricultural inputs, their role in improving productivity while supporting sustainability goals places them at the center of agriculture’s ongoing transformation.