Global Soil Conditioner Market to Reach USD 7.83 Billion by 2022

According to the latest report published by MarketsandMarkets, the soil conditioner market was worth USD 4.9 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow to USD 7.83 billion by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.16%. Soil conditioners have wide applications in agriculture and industry. Factors such as advanced agricultural practices and the need for better soil management are driving market growth.

By type, the global soil conditioner market can be divided into natural and synthetic. Natural soil conditioners are used for soil remediation to mitigate yield losses caused by poor soil conditions. This category can be further divided into polysaccharide derivatives such as animal manure, compost, sewage sludge and crop residues, and organic amendments such as peat and bark. The easy availability of raw materials is a key factor driving the natural soil conditioner market. Synthetic soil conditioners are light-coloured, water-soluble and hygroscopic, and include complex long-chain molecules.

By application base, soil conditioners can be divided into agricultural and industrial. Owing to growing awareness of soil management practices, demand for soil conditioners will increase in the coming years and crop yields will also rise. In 2016, oilseeds and pulses were the largest crop market.

Soil conditioners can be water-soluble or hydrogels. Water-soluble polyacrylamide is mainly used for soil stabilisation, while hydrogels are applied to soil to enhance its physical, chemical and biological properties.

In 2016, the Asia-Pacific region dominated the overall market, accounting for the largest share of the global soil conditioner market in both value and volume. Factors such as a large population, extensive agricultural land and the wide adoption of agricultural technology in less developed regions drove market growth.

In Europe, many countries have carried out detailed studies on the physical and chemical causes of soil degradation and the degree of biodegradation. In June 2009, under Commission Decision 2009/427/EC, the EU established the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP), which provides assistance on organic farming. The group also drafted the template document on fertilisers and soil conditioners referred to in Article 16(3)(b) of Council Regulation 834/2007.

At present, the main obstacle to market development is that some farmers are not yet fully aware of the benefits of soil conditioning. Efforts by market participants to raise farmers' awareness will accelerate market growth.