Insect Pheromones Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Sex Pheromones and Aggregation Pheromones), By Application (Fruits and Vegetables and Field Crops), and Regional Forecast to 2033

INSECT PHEROMONES MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Insect Pheromones Market size was USD 441.67 million in 2025 and is projected to touch USD 866.68 million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period.

The insect pheromones market is recording high growth due to a growing demand for environmentally friendly methods of controlling pests in agriculture. Insect pheromones constitute naturally occurring chemical messages that are used by insects to interact with one another, displaying behaviours such as mating, foraging, and aggregation. The synthetic or bio-identical pheromones have since been extensively used or applied in the control measure in integrated pest management programs in order to observe, trap, or interfere with the activities of the pests in ways not harmful to the non-target organisms. The increasing pesticide residues in foodstuffs, mounting losses on farms lost to pests, and the regulatory authorities approving the implementation of sustainable farming activities are some of the drivers of market growth.

GLOBAL CRISES IMPACTING INSECT PHEROMONES MARKETCOVID-19 IMPACT

Insect Pheromones Industry Had a Positive Effect Due to Sustainable Alternativesduring COVID-19 Pandemic

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The Covid-19 pandemic raised the demand for insect pheromone-based solutions, especially because the supply disruptions in the supply chain and lack of labour made it riskier to continue using traditional pesticides, and the growers turned to safer and more predictable alternatives for managing pests. Over this period, there was a faster adoption of integrated pest management that encompassed pheromones, particularly in horticulture and greenhouse means of production, that aimed to avert shortages of chemical pesticides. The pandemic has demonstrated the worth of low-residue and environmentally conscious options—some more financial resources have been committed to the production and employment of pheromone generation and application technologies. Subsequently, there was an impressive growth in the insect pheromones market, with an increase in awareness and regulatory changes further strengthening its position in sustainable and robust agriculture.

LATEST TREND

 Microencapsulation and innovations drive market growth significantly.

The development of highly sophisticated modes of pheromone delivery, especially microencapsulation and controlled-release technologies, with the market today being among the brightest trends in the insect pheromone trade, extending the longevity of the fields and their effectiveness and reducing the drift and the requirement of application intervals. Microencapsulated pheromones in particular are a potential game-changer because encapsulating active compounds in tiny capsules made of polymers allows slowing down and controlling the release of the compound so that it can be released over days or even weeks, making them much easier and more effective to use in large-scale farming. In the meantime, alternative developments such as nanotechnology carriers and bioengineered pheromones are being actively developed, which provide targeting of pests with environmentally friendly characteristics.

INSECT PHEROMONES MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Sex Pheromones and Aggregation Pheromones

• Sex Pheromones: The insect pheromones market mostly deals with sex pheromones; in fact, sex pheromones are used mostly in mating disruption and to monitor the population of pests. They act as a mimic of the natural chemical released by the female insect to attract the male, hence disrupting the mating process. The technique is very species-specific, environmentally friendly, and non-chemical in residual calibre on crops. Sex pheromones have become a major component in the integrated pest management programs due to the high demand for orchard crops and vegetables.
• Aggregation Pheromones: Aggregation pheromones are those that will call both sexes to a particular place and may be utilized in mass trapping or in monitoring the population. They are particularly useful in the control of pests such as bark beetles and stored grain insects. These pheromones facilitate control of the infestation through clustering of pests, whereby control measures are easily conducted. The market potential of the aggregation pheromones is rising due to increasing application in the forests and in storage facilities.

BY APPLICATION

Based on Application, the global market can be categorized into Fruits and Vegetables and Field Crops

• Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables This category is another large potential market for the insect pheromones, as the crops in that category are very valuable and sensitive. Pheromone-assisted mating disruption and tracking is a very common practice in the cultivation of apples, grapes, tomatoes, and citrus fruits to control codling moths and fruit flies, among other pests. These solutions are favored by growers since they have no undesirable leftovers and meet the required standards of the exports. Increasing need for organic fruits and vegetables and tough rules regarding the usage of pesticides are also promoting the use of pheromones in this segment.
• Field Crops: The use of insect pheromones in field crops is on the increase, with crops like maize, rice, and cotton being used as a tool to control pests like the fall armyworm and stem borers. The adoption is relatively lower than in the case of horticultural crops, but the buildup of pest resistance towards ordinary pesticides is increasing the application of pheromones. Pheromone traps and dispensers are being marketed by governments and agri-tech companies as a part of the integrated pest management schemes. It is likely that greater pheromone penetration in the field cropping areas, particularly in large-scale farming, is going to be brought about through technological improvements and affordability.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

DRIVING FACTOR

Rising eco-concerns and regulations drive market growth

The increasing concern about the negative effects of chemical pesticides on the environment and the health of human beings has resulted in a profound shift to sustainable agriculture. Insect pheromones can provide a non-toxic, species-specific, and residue-free solution to the management of pests. This is in line with the world movements to minimize the use of chemicals in agriculture and move towards the production of organic food. The pressure of consumers and regulatory organs to supply safer agricultural solutions keeps increasing, which leads to the increasing demand for pheromone-based management of pests. This trend is particularly notable in crops that are of high value, like fruits and vegetables.

Supportive regulations and IPM subsidies fuel market growth

The presence of favourable government policies and regulatory pathways that are smooth is making significant contributions towards the growth of the insect pheromones market. A number of nations are providing subsidies and popularizing the integrated pest management (IPM) schemes, prioritizing pheromone usage. Moreover, pheromone products have lesser regulatory hurdles as compared to synthetic pesticides; therefore, manufacturers find the process of product entry into the market easier than ever. Such regulatory promotion has seen more research, commercialization, and deployments in the use of pheromonal technologies. Because of this, an increased number of farmers are including the use of pheromones in their methods of crop protection resulting insect pheromones market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

High production costs and storage issues hinder market growth

The high cost of production and formulation of pheromone-based products is one of the important restraining forces in the insect pheromones market. Species-specific pheromones are complex to manufacture and involve complicated chemical procedures, so there is a need forhighly advanced technology and quality maintenance. This causes increased cost as compared to the normal pesticides, thereby making them less able to be afforded by the small and marginal farmers. Also, the issues of having a short shelf life and sensitive storage further add to the costs of logistics.

OPPORTUNITY

Precision farming integration boosts market growth and potential

A high growth potential in the market of insect pheromones is the development of precision farming and digital farming methods. Pheromone products can easily be incorporated into sensor-based monitoring, automated traps, and data-driven pest prediction technologies as farmers adopt them at higher rates. This increases selective pest management, minimizes waste, and achieves improved crop yields. The adaptability of pheromones to smart farming technology makes them some of the crucial elements of pest control in the coming generations.

CHALLENGE

Limited pest coverage restricts market growth and scalability

One of the potential markdowns of the insect pheromones market is the shortage of pheromone products against a broad variety of pest species. The commercial pheromones that are developed nowadays are designed around one small set of economically relevant pests, and pests of wide interest have been ignored. This limits the overall potential of pheromone-based pest management even in multi-cropping systems. The process of developing new formulations of pheromones is time-consuming, research-intensive, and expensive. Consequently, the scalability of the market in different areas of agriculture is limited.

INSECT PHEROMONES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• NORTH AMERICA:

Strong IPM adoption and innovation drive North American market growth

The North American market leader in the insect pheromones market is considered to be the North American region because of well-developed agricultural infrastructure, large-scale use of integrated pest management (IPM) experience, and high regulatory approaches to the minimization of chemical pesticide use. The area is experiencing massive investment in R&D and technological upgrades in pheromone delivery systems. The United States Insect Pheromones Market is the market leader with the contributions of sustainable farming initiatives promoted by the government and the demand to have residue-free crops on the rise. There are also a few large players and pilot projects of pheromone-based pest control in the U.S. This firm background makes North America stand on the edge of becoming a global market leader.

• EUROPE:

Strict EU policies and organics boost European market growth

Europe makes up about 25 percent of the world insect pheromone trade, which is a result of high-pressure regulatory systems on curtailing the use of chemical pesticides, especially under the EU environmental and food security protocols. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), followed by the Common Agricultural Policy and subsidies by individual countries, has led to the intense usage of pheromone-based techniques in orchards as well as horticulture on the continent. The technological development of aggregation and sex pheromones in countries like Germany, France, Spain, and the UK further increases market speed and offers more products. In organic produce markets, European growers are enjoying high premiums, and this is adding further incentives to use pheromones. The shift toward sustainable pest control amid the increased consumption of pest-free food is the main factor proving the centrality of the region in defining market forces.

• ASIA:

Government support and local production drive Asian market growth

Asia holds remarkable insect pheromones market share with the increasing agriculture industry, the growing knowledge of environmentally friendly control of pests, and IPM programs with the support of the government. India, China, and Japan are among the countries actively marketing the use of pheromones in places where crops that require high value, such as rice, cotton, and fruits, are grown. Increasing tolerances of pesticides and the export-oriented quality regulations are stimulating farmers to hop on the pheromone-based solutions. Products are also becoming accessible and cheap with local manufacturing and local research initiatives. Consequently, Asia is coming up as a rapidly burgeoning continent within the international scenario of insect pheromones.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strategic investments and innovation by key players drive market growth.

Major market players are playing a major role in the insect pheromones market, either by making strategic investments in research, innovation, and internationalization. Firms are working to not only formulate sophisticated pheromone products but also to design more effective and crop-targeted delivery systems. Partnerships with agricultural institutes and IPM programs endorsed by the government are also serving in an extended market penetration. Also, the players are giving attention to long-term sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to comply with the regulatory trend and the consumer trends.

LIST OF TOP INSECT PHEROMONES COMPANIES

• Certis Europe (Netherlands)
• Agrobio (Spain)
• Jiangsu Wanhe Daye (China)
• ISCA (U.S.)
• Scentry Biologicals (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

In September 2024, Syngenta Biologicals declared a strategic cooperation with Provivi® to innovate and market next-generation pheromone-based pest management solutions against the Yellow Stem Borer in India and Indonesia and Fall Armyworm in Thailand. The project involves the development of two new products, namely YSB Eco-Dispenser on rice and FAW Eco-Granules on corn, that are formulated using biodegradable substances and boast of improved longevity and performance in the field. Such innovations will be introduced to growers in 2026, with it displaying a massive leap forward in sustainably managing specific pests in an environmentally friendly way in Asia.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential Applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.