Agricultural chemical industry - statistics & facts
Agricultural chemistry is an important part of the global agriculture industry. Agricultural chemistry has transformed farming, making chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other innovations integral to the global agricultural landscape. Agricultural chemistry plays a pivotal role in global food security—a growing concern as the world’s population continues to expand and the demand for food increases. In the face of limited arable land, shifting climate patterns, and dwindling natural resources, the agrichemical industry becomes critically relevant, providing the tools that modern farming relies upon to boost productivity and maintain food security worldwide.
As the global population grows and environmental pressures intensify, agricultural chemistry remains essential for enhancing productivity and securing food supplies. By advancing crop protection, fertilizer efficiency, and sustainable practices, the agrichemical industry continues to be a key player in shaping the future of agriculture and global food security.
Crop protection products
Crop protection as it applies to agricultural chemicals, including the various types of pesticides such as insecticides and herbicides, and biotechnology, is an important (and often controversial) part of industrial agriculture globally. It allows for monoculture operations without the large amount of pests and issues with disease that there would be if such measures were not taken.Chemical fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers, such as nitrogen fertilizers made from ammonia, phosphate fertilizers, and potassium fertilizers comprised of potash, are widely used and improve soil fertility. Calcium, sulfur, and magnesium are also used in chemical fertilizers to a lesser extent. Extracting and processing these fertilizers to their useful state is often an energy-intensive process.Agrochemical companies
The leading companies in the agricultural chemicals industry include Syngenta, Bayer CropScience, and BASF. The industry has been marked by mergers and acquisitions in recent years, with a merger between Dow Chemical and E. I. du Pont de Nemours (commonly referred to as DuPont) completed in September 2017. Additionally, Syngenta was purchased by ChemChina in February 2016, and Bayer completed its acquisition of Monsanto in June 2018.As the global population grows and environmental pressures intensify, agricultural chemistry remains essential for enhancing productivity and securing food supplies. By advancing crop protection, fertilizer efficiency, and sustainable practices, the agrichemical industry continues to be a key player in shaping the future of agriculture and global food security.
