Market Challenges And Opportunities
Pyroxasulfone Market Drivers
- Increase in Weed Resistance: The rise in resistance of weeds to other herbicides can drive the demand for alternative herbicides like pyroxasulfone. As more weeds become resistant to currently used herbicides, there is a need to rotate herbicides or find new formulations, and pyroxasulfone might be chosen for its efficacy against certain resistant weeds. For instance, according to the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds managed by the Weed Science Society of America, waterhemp, a troublesome pigweed species in Midwestern U.S. corn and soybean fields, has now evolved resistance to five different herbicide sites of action.
- High Efficacy: If pyroxasulfone is found to be more effective than other herbicides in controlling specific weeds, this can act as a significant driver for its demand. For instance, according to the United States Department of Agriculture 2020 report, the number of unique herbicide-resistant weed species and populations continues to grow annually across most agricultural regions. Unless properly managed, these resistant biotypes threaten future agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Crop Safety: If pyroxasulfone is proven to have minimal or no adverse effects on crops when applied at recommended rates, it can be more widely adopted
- Regulatory Approvals: The approval of pyroxasulfone for use in additional crops or in new regions can open up larger market segments, thus acting as a driver for its demand
Pyroxasulfone Market Opportunities
- Emerging Markets: Developing nations with increasing agricultural productivity might offer opportunities. As these nations modernize their agricultural practices, there is potential for increased adoption of herbicides like pyroxasulfone. For instance, as per data from the World Bank, agricultural land in Vietnam increased from 18.6 million ha in 2010 to over 20 million ha in 2020. The government also aims to modernize farms and boost crop yields through extension programs. This developing agricultural sector and supportive policies create a very conducive environment for pyroxasulfone adoption.
- Crop Expansion: If pyroxasulfone is found to be effective and safe for additional crops, there could be opportunities to expand its usage to those crops. For instance, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, there remains substantial uncultivated land that could be suitable for agriculture, especially in regions with developing economies such as sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Brazil alone is estimated to have potential for expanding its cropland by over 70 million hectares without encroaching on sensitive ecosystems, which would make it a major market for agricultural inputs like pyroxasulfone.
- Innovative Formulations: Developing new formulations or combination products (i.e., pyroxasulfone mixed with other herbicides) could lead to better weed control and, consequently, increased market growth
- Sustainable Agriculture: If pyroxasulfone can be positioned as a more environmentally friendly or sustainable herbicide choice, it could appeal to farmers looking for sustainable weed control options.
Pyroxasulfone Market Restraints
- Environmental Concerns: Any evidence that suggests that pyroxasulfone could have a detrimental effect on the environment, such as impacting non-target species or contaminating water sources, would act as a restraint. According to the studies conducted by the European Food Safety Authority in 2021-22, pyroxasulfone was found to remain in soil for more than 6 months. This poses risk to future crops grown in the same field as well as contaminating groundwater.
- Regulatory Restrictions: Tightening regulations around herbicide use or increased scrutiny of pyroxasulfone due to potential health or environmental risks can limit its market penetration. For instance, as per data by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 180 countries have now restricted or banned at least one highly hazardous pesticide which was previously in widespread use. While aiming to ensure environment and user safety, such sweeping measures negatively impact the commercial potential of certain agrochemicals including pyroxasulfone.
- Shift to Organic Farming: The global trend towards organic farming, which shuns the use of synthetic herbicides, can act as a restraint on the market growth of pyroxasulfone
U.S.: 
U.K. : 
India : 
