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Africa's agrochemical market to reach $15.08 billion by 2031
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Growth driven by pests, food demand, government subsidies
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Fertilizers dominate; Affordability, counterfeit goods remain major challenges
The African agrochemicals market is projected to grow from $12.21 billion in 2025 to $15.08 billion by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.32%, according to a report published in late January by research and consulting firm Mordor Intelligence.
report, title “Africa Agrochemicals Market Size and Share Analysis: Growth Trends and Forecast, 2026-2031,” indicates that this expansion will be driven by multiple factors, including increased pest and disease pressures associated with climate change, increased demand for food from population growth, and government subsidy programs that improve access for smallholder farmers.
Changing weather patterns have accelerated the spread of invasive pests such as fall armyworm (Spodoptera FrugiperdaMaize production has declined significantly in many African countries. Infestations of Striga, also known as witchweed, are damaging crops in grain-growing regions, prompting farmers to adopt integrated chemical control strategies.
Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia have established emergency response protocols, while regional organizations are coordinating pest monitoring networks. Agricultural companies have accelerated the development of precision pesticides that target insect larvae, and digital monitoring platforms now provide real-time alerts to farmers.
Growing food demand is also increasing government investment in domestic fertilizer production. Additionally, rural migration is reducing the agricultural workforce, increasing reliance on pesticides and herbicides.
Governments and financial institutions are increasingly running subsidy programs to support the use of fertilizers and pesticides. An example is the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, a fund managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) group. Tanzania has introduced a credit guarantee system that has facilitated fertilizer trade and improved supply chain efficiency. The use of electronic voucher systems and mobile wallets has also reduced distribution inefficiencies and reduced delivery times.
Many countries, including Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania, have implemented warehouse receipt systems. These allow farmers to use stored crops as collateral for loans, helping them manage cash flow between harvest and planting season while freeing up working capital to purchase inputs. Banks accept corn, sorghum and rice as collateral, giving farmers access to financing for crop protection products. This system helps reduce rural interest rates, increases sales for agrochemical retailers and reduces post-harvest losses.
Fertilizers dominate the market
The adoption of precision agriculture, which improves agrochemical efficiency, and the emergence of local private-label distribution chains are also strengthening last-mile delivery.
The report shows that the share of fertilizers in the African agrochemicals market was 50.55% in 2025. These products address widespread nutrient deficiencies in soils and support agricultural productivity in various agro-ecological zones. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are essential for grain production, while phosphate and potassium products are increasingly used in balanced nutrient programs.
However, plant growth regulators are expected to register the fastest growth with a CAGR of 6.8% over the period 2026-2031, driven by increasing demand for products that enhance stress tolerance, root development and yield potential.
Pesticides remain the lion's share of use across Africa, with herbicides predominating in the region due to labor shortages and the spread of resistant weeds. Demand for pesticides is increasing in response to climate-driven pest outbreaks, while fungicide use is increasing in horticultural sectors. Adjuncts, although a small segment, are gaining importance as precision spraying technologies require more advanced formulations to improve leaf coverage and simplify tank mixing.
Geographically, South Africa's share of the African agrochemicals market in 2025 was expected to be 17.72%, supported by advanced logistics networks, agricultural extension services and access to credit. Government initiatives aimed at achieving fertilizer self-sufficiency through strategic partnerships and local ammonia production are expected to give Ethiopia momentum in the coming years. The country is projected to register the fastest growth rate of 6.49% by 2031.
The five leading companies – Bayer AG, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, UPL Ltd and Syngenta Group – had a combined 44.2% market share in 2024. This moderate level of concentration points to opportunities for local startups and regional players focused on innovation and expansion. One example is Kenya-based agri-fintech firm Apollo Agriculture, which integrates financial services and agronomy to reach smallholder farmers directly, capturing the last-mile margins often ignored by multinationals.
The report said major constraints to market growth include limited affordability of agrochemicals for small farmers, especially in landlocked countries where transportation costs can account for up to 50% of retail prices. Additional challenges include the proliferation of counterfeit products, which undermines farmer confidence, and lengthy registration processes for new products due to outdated pesticide regulations and limited institutional capacity.
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