The market for plant protection products - France

Phytosanitary products are used in agriculture to protect crops from parasites, certain insects, fungi or weeds. These products are part of the pesticide family, and must be approved in Europe with a specific authorization for each use.The phytosanitary products market has long enjoyed double-digit growth in France, but this growth has slowed slightly since 2018 with the rise of protests and warnings of harmful health effects. On a global scale, the market is growing steadily, with an annual growth rate of 3.9% between 2022 and 2027. [Mordor Intelligence] The crop protection market is dominated by the world's chemical giants, leaving little room for new entrants. In fact, 80% of the global crop protection market is concentrated among the industry's 6 giants. Players in the crop protection market are betting on innovation to sustain their growth, as evidenced by the increase in their R&D budgets. The main challenge facing the crop protection market remains its harmful impact on the environment and human health : pesticides, along with fertilizers, are the two main sources of pollution of surface and ground water by the agricultural sector. By extension, the crop protection market is faced with much more restrictive regulations, as evidenced by the French government's executive decision to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2025.