Global Seed Coating Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Seed Coating Type (Melt Coats, Split Coats), By Seed Coating Ingredients (Binders, Fillers, Active Ingredients (Protectants, Nutrients, Symbionts, Soil Adjuvant, Phyto Active Promoters, Colours & Tracers)), By Application (Cereals And Grains, Vegetables, Flowers, Forage, Turf Grass), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The global seed coating market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 6.48% to reach a market size of US$3.960 billion in 2027 from a market size of US$2.550 billion in 2020. 

The growing demand for accelerating seed performance is driving the growth of the global seed coating industry in the forecast period. This will further contribute to overcoming the challenges where concerns regarding feeding an increasing global population are prevalent. Hence, seed coating technology is paving the way for sustainable crop yield and thus will help increase on-farm productivity, providing an opportunity for the market to proliferate with advancements in seed coating technology. Considering the importance of seed quality for sustainable crop production and food security, certain seed treatments, including seed coating, further promote market growth in the forecast period. These treatments assist in overcoming germination constraints and promoting high-quality plant growth. Also, with the decreasing arable land due to urbanization, the world is poised to adopt research and development activities for developing seed treatment technologies so that every seed gives rise to a healthy seedling leading to better crop yield for consumption.

Geographically, North America is projected to hold a significant market share due to the early adoption of technology and innovations. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the fastest-growing due to the burgeoning need for the adoption of efficient technologies for enhancing crop yield and productivity in order to feed a large population base.

The growing global food demand, in addition to the increasing demand for food production, is propelling market growth in the forecast period.

It is predicted that in the 21st century, the agriculture sector will be experiencing several challenges where it has to produce more food to feed a growing population with a small rural workforce. Hence, this is creating a need, specifically for many agriculture-dependent emerging economies, to gear themselves with adopting efficient and sustainable agriculture production technologies to enhance their agricultural production. Also, adapting to climate change is another factor challenging the global agriculture sector, and this can be achieved by the adoption of productivity enhancement techniques.

The population worldwide is projected to grow by 2.3 billion individuals during the period 2009 to 2050 (source: FAO). Maximum population growth is estimated to take place in the developing economies of the world. The population in the Sub-Saharan African region is set to grow at the fastest rate accounting for 114%. The population in the East and Southeast Asian region is projected to grow at a growth rate of 13%. In addition, rapid urbanization is forecasted to continue quickly, where urban areas will hold 70% of the world population by 2050 (source: FAO). With the increasing per capita income, which is forecasted to increase multiple times by 2050 than the current per capita income, the demand for food will also significantly increase. The global demand for cereals for human and animal consumption is forecasted to attain around 3 billion tonnes by the end of 2050 (source: FAO), hence providing an impetus to fuel the market demand for increasing crop yields. The demand for food commodities like vegetable oils, dairy products, and livestock is estimated to grow faster than cereals and grain. This is because of the high-income population in the developing regions of the world. As per FAO predictions, feeding the growing population will require an increase in the overall production of food by 70% by 2050 from 2005/07. The developing economies would require more food production to almost double to satiate high food demand. Hence, advancements in production technology also hold equal importance in surging market growth in the forecast period and the coming years.

The presence of seed companies introducing various seed treatment techniques, which include efficient seed coating technology, is further propelling the market growth in the forecast period.

Clariant® Seed Coloration colorant for seed treatment provides a range of powder pigments, pigment preparations, and dyes. The seed coloration treated with pesticides is considered an indispensable safety feature. In addition, individual color, color shades for branding, identification of specific treatment among varied seed varieties, convenience in monitoring seed uniformity, consistency of seed treatments or adding value, and providing cosmetic appeal for high-value seeds are other necessary aspects. The products for powder pigments include Agrocer Red 112, Agrocer Red 482, Agrocer Blue 153, Agrocer Green 007, Agrocer Violet 023, and Agrocer Yellow 001.

Incotec, a division of Croda for the improvement and enhancement of seed quality, provides technology for seed treatment. This includes seven technology groups listed as upgrading, priming, disinfection, film coating, encrusting and pelleting, applications of actives and additives, and analytical quality testing.

BrettYoung seed coating involves a precise layering of nutrients, pesticides, or growth-promoting additives on seeds providing value-added benefits. The company's advanced computer-automated seed coating facility is highly capable of enhancing the appearance, handling, and agronomics of seed. Following listed are the facility highlights: Computer automated batch coating having gentle seed handling and precision placement, Precise layering or creating pelleting separation from additives, fluidized bed dryer computer-controlled temperature, robotic bag handling system, and the facility is designed as per Agrochemical Warehousing Standards Association (AWSA) guidelines for safe handling of crop protection products.  

Bayer's restructured Peridiam seed coating portfolio has special features for fulfilling customized consumer demands. The portfolio comprises Peridiam® Active seed coatings with additional value-adding benefits, Peridiam® Extra, specially designed seed coatings with specific properties, including resistance to high abrasion, performance under cold climatic conditions, and increased seed surface.  The Peridiam® Quality is for dust control and adhesion, flowability and sewability, and visual appearance. The benefits of seed coatings consist of uniform seed treatment application for optimum coverage, improved adhesion, and coverage so that all the beneficial additives can stay on the seed, protection of operators and benefit from dust with emissions reduced up to 95%, branding, and visual differentiation through coloring, and improved flowability in the planting equipment and sewability on the farm.

Key Developments in the Market:

• In February 2022, Xampla, natural solutions provider, teamed up with Croda International, a chemical firm, and commenced the trial to develop a plastic-free seed coating offering. The partnership is being funded by the National Institute of Agriculture Botany and the UK Government. The duo is working together to explore natural replacements for seed coating in contrast to the current traditional seed coating made from microplastics.
• In December 2021, BASF's Agriculture Solutions Division launched innovatively coating polymers for the treatment of seeds. The new offering, Flo Rite Pro 2805, was designed to enhance the retention and adhesion of the active ingredients and preserve the seeds.
• In July 2021, Bayer, a health and nutrition firm, completed the acquisition of Solvay, a pioneer in chemicals, materials, and solutions. The acquisition supplements the former's objective to consolidate its range of bio-based, sustainable solutions. Furthermore, through this development, the latter's Mereville facility's entire R&D projects, product and solutions portfolio, and business line's international operations were completely transferred to Solvay.

COVID-19 Insights:

COVID-19 had a significant impact on the global seed coating market. The social distancing measures and mandated lockdown significantly impacted the workforce and supply chains, affecting the agricultural industry. Furthermore, due to restraints posed by the pandemic, R&D projects were also slowed down.

Global Seed Coating Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By Seed Coating Type
  • Melt Coats
  • Split Coats
• By Seed Coating Ingredients
  • Binders
  • Fillers
  • Active Ingredients
    • Protectants
    • Nutrients
    • Symbionts
    • Soil Adjuvant
    • Phyto active Promoters
    • Colors & Tracers
• By Application
  • Cereals and Grains
  • Vegetables
  • Flowers
  • Forage
  • Turf Grass
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • Australia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others