In 2025, the global contact herbicide market achieved sales revenue of RMB 56.5 billion; downstream demand is growing steadily, and the industry outlook for contact herbicides is promising [Chart].

Company Name Country/Region Core Business / Products Market Positioning & Core Advantages Syngenta Group Switzerland / China Contact herbicide active ingredients and formulations, full range of crop protection products, seeds, fertilizers, and integrated agricultural services Global leader in the agrochemical industry; integrates core resources from Syngenta, Adama, and Yangnong Chemical; ranks among the top globally in contact herbicide production capacity and market share; operates in 100+ countries; possesses both R&D capabilities for active ingredients and large-scale formulation manufacturing. BASF Germany Contact herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, specialty fertilizers, and holistic agricultural solutions Global leader in both chemical and agrochemical industries; world-leading technology in contact herbicides; focuses on high-efficacy, low-toxicity, environmentally friendly products; boasts comprehensive global market presence and regulatory compliance capabilities—setting industry benchmarks for technology and compliance. FMC Corporation United States Contact herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, biostimulants Global leader in specialty agrochemicals; specializes in high-performance contact herbicide R&D; holds prominent technological barriers in managing herbicide-resistant weeds; maintains a mature and extensive global distribution network covering key agricultural markets worldwide. Sumitomo Chemical Japan Contact herbicide active ingredients and formulations, crop protection products, fertilizers, seed treatment agents Leading Japanese chemical and agrochemical company; mature R&D and manufacturing technologies for contact herbicides; maintains a robust localized service network across East Asia and Southeast Asia; develops proprietary formulations tailored to regional crops and weed profiles. UPL (United Phosphorus Limited) India Contact herbicide active ingredients and formulations, full range of crop protection products, fertilizers, biostimulants One of the world’s largest non-patent agrochemical producers; offers significant cost advantages in contact herbicides; leads market share in emerging agricultural regions; operates across 130+ countries; possesses exceptional supply chain and distribution capabilities. Nufarm Australia Contact herbicide formulations, crop protection products, seed treatment agents Globally leading non-patent agrochemical enterprise; offers a broad portfolio of contact herbicide formulations adaptable to diverse regional crop and weed management needs; a key player in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets. Albaugh United States Contact herbicide active ingredients and formulations, glyphosate, dicamba, and other bulk pesticide products World-leading non-patent herbicide producer; holds top-tier global production capacity for contact herbicide active ingredients; enjoys strong cost and supply-chain advantages in North and South America; serves as a core global supplier of bulk contact herbicide formulations. Gowan United States Contact herbicides, selective herbicides, crop protection products U.S. specialty agrochemical leader; deeply specialized in contact herbicides; technologically advanced in developing selective contact herbicides; has long-standing presence and comprehensive channel coverage in North America and Europe. Nihon Nohyaku (Nippon Soda) Japan Contact herbicide active ingredients and formulations, crop protection products, functional chemicals Established Japanese agrochemical company; long-standing expertise in R&D and manufacturing of contact herbicides; technologically advanced in selective contact herbicides for rice, fruits, and vegetables; maintains strong regional presence across Asia; globally recognized for product quality and regulatory compliance.

In 2025, the global foliar-applied herbicide market achieved sales revenue of USD 2.136 billion; market demand is growing steadily [Chart].

According to statistics and forecasts by Gongyan Network (Beijing Diso Gongyan Consulting Co., Ltd.), the global foliar-applied herbicide market reached approximately USD 2.1623 billion in sales revenue in 2025, with projected sales of USD 2.2025 billion in 2026. From 2026 to 2032, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is expected to be around 3.2%, reaching USD 2.6607 billion by 2032. Geographically, sales are widely distributed globally, with particularly strong growth observed in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions; the Asia-Pacific region remains the largest demand market. Profile of Major Global Foliar-Applied Herbicide Producers Company Name Country/Region Core Business / Products Bayer Germany Foliar-applied herbicides, full range of crop protection products, seeds, agricultural digital services BASF Germany Foliar-applied herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, specialty fertilizers, holistic agricultural solutions Syngenta Group Switzerland / China Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, seeds, fertilizers, integrated agricultural services Corteva United States Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, seeds, digital agriculture solutions FMC Corporation United States Foliar-applied herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, biostimulants UPL (United Phosphorus Limited) India Foliar-applied herbicides, full range of crop protection products, fertilizers, biostimulants Albaugh United States Foliar-applied herbicide active ingredients and formulations, glyphosate, dicamba, and other bulk herbicide products American Vanguard United States Foliar-applied herbicides, soil-applied herbicides, insecticides, fungicides Nufarm Australia Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, seed treatment agents Sipcam Oxon Italy Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, specialty fertilizers Sumitomo Chemical Japan Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, fertilizers, seed treatment agents Nissan Chemical Japan Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, functional chemicals Kumiai Chemical Industry Japan Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, soil-applied herbicides Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Japan Foliar-applied herbicides, crop protection products, inorganic chemicals Foliar-applied herbicides are widely used for weed control across various cropping systems. Key application segments include corn and soybeans, cereals, rice, cotton and oilseed crops, sugarcane and plantation crops, horticultural crops, and other scenarios. Corn and soybeans represent the world’s largest application market, primarily targeting broadleaf weeds and herbicide-resistant weeds in field crops. Cereal crops—including wheat—emphasize integrated control of both grassy and broadleaf weeds. Rice cultivation distinguishes between direct-seeded and transplanted fields, requiring specialized foliar herbicides adapted to paddy conditions. Cotton, rapeseed, and other oilseed crops demand highly selective herbicides to minimize phytotoxicity risks.

India's UPL posts lower quarterly profit as weather hits crop protection unit

19 hours ago

UPL posted a 23.9% fall in quarterly profit as unfavorable weather pressured its crop protection unit in Latin America and Europe. Consolidated revenue dropped 1.3%, though seed and specialty chemical units recorded gains.

reuters

2026-11-02

India's UPL posts lower quarterly profit as weather hits crop protection unit

India's UPL posts lower quarterly profit as weather hits crop protection unit

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