Middle East & Africa Fungicides Market Outlook, 2030

The fungicide market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is undergoing substantial growth, driven by increasing agricultural demands, a rise in fungal crop diseases, and an evolving regulatory environment. Agriculture remains a crucial component of economic stability and food security in both regions, and farmers are under mounting pressure to boost crop yields and protect produce from fungal infestations such as rust, mildew, and blight. This has led to a growing reliance on fungicides, both preventive and curative, particularly in major crops like cereals, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

In Africa, countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are seeing a rise in demand due to expanding cultivation areas and the need to combat persistent fungal threats affecting staple crops like maize, cassava, and coffee. Similarly, in the Middle East, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are increasing their use of fungicides to protect high-value crops cultivated under greenhouse and drip irrigation systems. Additionally, the segment of cereals and grains holds the largest market share, underlining the importance of protecting food staples in the region’s agricultural economy.

Multinational agrochemical giants like Bayer, BASF, Syngenta, Corteva, and ADAMA have a strong presence in MEA, offering a wide range of synthetic and increasingly bio-based fungicide solutions. Innovation plays a critical role in shaping the market, with notable developments in drone-assisted spraying technologies, smart agriculture tools, and precision farming methods that allow for targeted fungicide applications, reducing waste and environmental impact.

Furthermore, the trend towards biofungicides is gaining traction, with farmers showing interest in eco-friendly alternatives driven by both environmental awareness and regulatory pressure. Regulations across the MEA region are tightening, with governments introducing stricter guidelines on permissible residue levels, toxicological profiles, and environmental impacts of chemical fungicides. These evolving regulations are pushing manufacturers to reformulate products and invest in sustainable alternatives.

According to the research report "Middle East and Africa Fungicides Market Outlook, 2030," the Middle East and Africa Fungicides market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.41% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. With the population in Africa projected to double by 2050, there is immense pressure on farmers to maximize yields and reduce crop losses caused by fungal diseases such as rust, powdery mildew, and blight, which are prevalent due to the warm and humid climate in many parts of the region. This demographic pressure translates directly into higher fungicide consumption as farmers seek effective crop protection solutions to secure food supply and enhance food security.

Another significant growth factor is the expansion of arable land and the intensification of farming activities. Many countries in Africa, such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya, are adopting modern agricultural techniques and expanding their cultivated areas to boost productivity. This expansion has heightened the risk of fungal outbreaks, encouraging increased fungicide usage.

In parallel, the Middle East’s agricultural sector, though smaller in scale, is intensifying production of high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, which are particularly vulnerable to fungal infections, further boosting fungicide demand. Technological advancements are playing a pivotal role in the development of the fungicide market in MEA.

The adoption of precision agriculture technologies, including drone-based fungicide spraying and satellite-based disease monitoring systems, is becoming increasingly common, particularly in more developed areas of the Middle East. These innovations allow farmers to apply fungicides more efficiently and accurately, reducing costs and environmental impact while improving efficacy.

Furthermore, the market is witnessing a shift toward biofungicides and environmentally friendly products, driven by both consumer demand and regulatory frameworks. Governments and regional agricultural bodies are promoting sustainable farming practices, which has led to investments in research and development of biopesticides that offer safer alternatives to traditional chemical fungicides.

Market Drivers

• Expansion of Agricultural Activities and Food Security Concerns: In the Middle East and Africa, expanding agricultural activities to meet the food demands of a rapidly growing population is a major driver for the fungicides market. Many countries in this region are investing in agriculture to reduce dependency on food imports and enhance food security. Fungal diseases pose a significant threat to staple crops like wheat, maize, and fruits, causing substantial yield losses. As a result, farmers and governments are increasingly adopting fungicides to protect crops, improve productivity, and ensure stable food supplies, thus fueling market growth.
• Government Initiatives and Agricultural Modernization Programs: Governments in the MEA region are actively promoting modern farming practices, including the use of agrochemicals like fungicides, to increase agricultural output. Subsidies, training programs, and infrastructure development support the adoption of crop protection products. Additionally, efforts to combat desertification and improve irrigation have enabled cultivation in previously unproductive lands, increasing the demand for effective fungicide solutions. These initiatives boost market expansion by facilitating access to fungicides and encouraging their use in commercial farming.

Market Challenges

• Harsh Climatic Conditions and Environmental Constraints: The Middle East and Africa face extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures, drought, and irregular rainfall, which complicate effective disease management. These conditions can limit the effectiveness and stability of fungicides and create challenges in application timing. Moreover, environmental sensitivity in certain regions demands careful use of chemicals to avoid soil degradation and water contamination, restricting the type and quantity of fungicides that can be used safely.
• Lack of Awareness and Limited Access to Quality Fungicides: In many rural and smallholder farming communities, lack of awareness about fungal diseases and proper fungicide use is a significant barrier. Limited knowledge leads to underuse or misuse of fungicides, resulting in poor disease control and economic losses. Additionally, access to high-quality, registered fungicides is often limited due to distribution challenges, high costs, and presence of counterfeit or substandard products. These issues hinder market penetration and reduce the overall effectiveness of fungicide usage in the region.

Market Trends

• Increasing Adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices: There is a growing trend towards adopting Integrated Pest Management in the MEA region, combining chemical fungicides with biological control methods and cultural practices. IPM aims to reduce chemical dependency, manage resistance, and promote sustainable agriculture. This approach encourages the use of fungicides as part of a broader strategy rather than as the sole control method, influencing product development and market dynamics towards safer, more targeted solutions.
• Rising Investment in Research and Development for Climate-Resilient Fungicides: Recognizing the unique climatic challenges of the region, manufacturers and research institutions are increasingly focusing on developing fungicides that perform well under harsh environmental conditions. Innovations include formulations with enhanced heat stability, drought tolerance, and broader spectrum activity against local fungal strains. This trend highlights a shift toward customized solutions for the MEA market, enabling better crop protection and supporting agricultural resilience in the face of climate variability.

Chemical fungicides dominate the Middle East and Africa (MEA) fungicides industry due to their immediate effectiveness, broad-spectrum activity, and critical role in securing crop yields against aggressive fungal threats.

The MEA region faces a unique mix of climatic challenges - such as high temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and increased humidity in localized areas - that create ideal breeding grounds for fungal pathogens. Crops like wheat, maize, rice, and horticultural products are vital for food security and economic stability in the region but are highly susceptible to fungal infections such as rusts, mildews, blights, and rots. In such an environment, the fast-acting nature of chemical fungicides becomes indispensable.

Farmers in MEA often lack access to advanced agricultural infrastructure, precision farming tools, or consistent advisory services, making the simplicity and proven efficacy of chemical fungicides a practical solution for both large-scale commercial farms and smallholder operations. Unlike biological or organic alternatives that often require specific environmental conditions, careful application timing, and longer response periods, chemical fungicides are more forgiving in their usage and deliver visible results within a short timeframe - critical in regions where any delay in disease control can mean total crop loss.

Furthermore, many governments and agribusinesses in MEA prioritize yield maximization over organic standards due to pressing food demand, population growth, and the need to reduce reliance on food imports. This has spurred the continued reliance on synthetic fungicides that are widely available, cost-effective, and supported by international agrochemical companies with established distribution networks.

The dominance of crops like cereals and vegetables in MEA, which are prone to fungal outbreaks during growth and post-harvest stages, further drives demand for chemical fungicides. Moreover, pesticide resistance management is still in early stages across much of MEA, leading to the continuous use of well-known chemical formulations rather than rotation with biologicals.

The moderate growth of oilseeds and pulses in the MEA fungicides industry is driven by increasing cultivation due to rising demand for protein-rich and cash crops, but hindered by limited crop-specific fungicide awareness.

In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, the oilseeds and pulses crop segment is experiencing moderate growth within the fungicides industry due to a complex interplay of rising demand and persistent limitations in agricultural infrastructure and awareness. Oilseeds like sunflower, soybean, and groundnut, along with pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, and cowpeas, are increasingly recognized for their economic and nutritional value in both local and export markets.

This is particularly true as MEA countries begin to diversify away from traditional cereal-heavy agricultural portfolios, with a growing segment of farmers and agribusinesses investing in high-protein, drought-resilient crops to meet dietary shifts, combat malnutrition, and tap into international trade opportunities. Pulses, being a crucial source of affordable protein, are especially vital in lower-income regions, while oilseeds serve as both food and industrial inputs, making them valuable cash crops. However, despite this promising demand trajectory, the uptake of fungicides specifically tailored to these crops has not kept pace, resulting in only moderate growth for the segment.

One major reason is that oilseeds and pulses have historically occupied smaller acreage in MEA compared to cereals and vegetables, which has led to limited focus from both farmers and agrochemical companies in terms of crop-specific disease management strategies. Many growers lack adequate knowledge about the fungal diseases that affect these crops - such as rusts, mildews, root rots, and leaf spots - or they perceive them as less severe due to less visible early-stage damage compared to cereal blights.

Moreover, extension services in several MEA countries are underfunded or unevenly distributed, especially in rural areas where pulses are commonly grown, further impeding fungicide education and adoption. Chemical companies have also traditionally prioritized fungicide development and marketing for cereal crops, fruits, and vegetables, where return on investment is faster and market volumes are higher.

Soil treatment application in the MEA fungicides industry is growing moderately due to increasing awareness of soil-borne fungal threats and the long-term benefits of pre-planting protection, but limited by high costs.

In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) fungicides industry, soil treatment as an application type is witnessing moderate growth, reflecting a rising recognition of the importance of managing soil-borne fungal diseases but still facing substantial practical and economic challenges. Soil-borne pathogens like Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Sclerotinia are known to cause significant damage to crop roots and seedlings, leading to stunted growth, reduced yield, and even complete crop failure, particularly in crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, pulses, and cereals.

As a result, soil treatment fungicides - which are applied before planting to sterilize or protect the soil - are becoming increasingly important in the MEA region, especially in areas where intensive farming practices, monoculture, and poor soil management have led to an accumulation of fungal inoculum over time. Some commercial farms and agribusinesses are beginning to invest in soil treatment as a proactive measure to ensure healthy crop establishment and reduce future reliance on foliar applications. This is particularly true in parts of North Africa and the Gulf region, where higher-value crops are cultivated in controlled environments such as greenhouses or irrigated fields, making pre-plant soil disinfection both feasible and profitable.

However, despite these benefits and a gradual uptick in adoption, soil treatment remains a moderately growing segment largely due to structural limitations. First, the upfront cost of soil treatment fungicides and the need for specialized equipment or application methods deter many farmers, especially smallholders who dominate the agricultural landscape across Sub-Saharan Africa.

These growers often operate on thin margins and prioritize immediate yield over long-term soil health, making them more likely to invest in cheaper foliar fungicides that offer quick, visible results. Second, technical knowledge about soil-borne diseases and appropriate treatment methods is still lacking in many rural areas, compounded by weak extension services and limited access to agronomic expertise.

Liquid form fungicides lead the MEA fungicides industry due to their ease of application, faster absorption, and compatibility with common spraying equipment used across both commercial and smallholder farms.

In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, liquid-form fungicides dominate the fungicides industry because they offer a practical, efficient, and widely adaptable solution for combating fungal diseases across various crop types and farming systems. The agricultural landscape in MEA is highly diverse, ranging from large commercial farms in countries like Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco to vast numbers of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Liquid fungicides, whether in suspension concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates, or soluble liquids, are readily mixable with water, making them ideal for use with commonly available spray equipment such as knapsack sprayers, tractor-mounted systems, and irrigation-integrated delivery mechanisms.

This is particularly important in a region where mechanization levels vary widely, and where efficient and uniform coverage of crops is critical for effective disease control. The fast absorption of liquid fungicides into plant tissues also allows for quicker protective or curative action against aggressive fungal pathogens, which is essential in regions with unpredictable weather patterns that can accelerate the onset and spread of disease. Furthermore, liquid fungicides are often available in pre-measured packaging suitable for both large-scale and small-scale applications, making them accessible to farmers regardless of their operational size or purchasing capacity.

In many parts of MEA, extension services and agro-dealers promote liquid formulations because they are easier to demonstrate and explain, compared to powders or granules that may require more precise handling or mixing techniques. Additionally, in arid and semi-arid zones of the region, where water is scarce and farmers rely heavily on drip or foliar irrigation systems, liquid fungicides integrate seamlessly into these systems without clogging or causing residue build-up. The stability and shelf life of many liquid formulations also make them suitable for distribution in the hot and often logistically challenging environments found in MEA, where maintaining product integrity during storage and transportation is a key concern.

Agricultural farmers are the leading end-user segment in the MEA fungicides industry because they constitute the backbone of the region’s food production system, where high crop vulnerability to fungal diseases.

Agriculture in MEA is a major economic sector, employing a significant portion of the population - especially in Sub-Saharan Africa - where farming remains the primary source of livelihood. Most of the region’s crops, including cereals, vegetables, pulses, and fruits, are highly susceptible to a range of fungal diseases such as rusts, mildews, leaf spots, and blights. These diseases can severely reduce crop yields and quality, which is a critical issue in regions already facing food insecurity, water scarcity, and climate variability. As a result, agricultural farmers - ranging from smallholders to commercial producers - rely heavily on fungicides to safeguard their crops and sustain productivity.

Unlike other end-user categories such as horticultural firms, turf managers, or government agencies, agricultural farmers cultivate the widest variety of crops on the largest area of land, creating a broad and consistent market for fungicidal products. Their need for reliable, fast-acting disease control makes them the primary consumers of both contact and systemic fungicides, especially in liquid formulations that can be easily applied with accessible tools.

In countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya, the expansion of commercial farming alongside small-scale operations has fueled demand for protective agrochemicals, with fungicides playing a central role due to frequent outbreaks of fungal diseases driven by changing rainfall patterns and high humidity during growing seasons. Moreover, international efforts to improve agricultural productivity in MEA - such as donor-funded projects, agricultural extension programs, and private sector investments - often emphasize pest and disease management, thus promoting fungicide use among farmers.

South Africa is leading the fungicides industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region due to its diverse, export-oriented agricultural sector and advanced farming practices that demand effective disease management solutions.

South Africa’s leadership in the MEA fungicides industry is primarily driven by its well-developed and diverse agricultural sector, which plays a vital role in both domestic food security and international trade. Unlike many countries in the MEA region that struggle with arid climates or limited farming infrastructure, South Africa benefits from a variety of agro-ecological zones that support the cultivation of a wide range of crops - including fruits (especially citrus and grapes), vegetables, maize, sugarcane, and wine grapes - all of which are highly vulnerable to fungal infections.

The country’s reliance on agriculture for economic growth, job creation, and export earnings has made crop protection a national priority, leading to widespread and systematic use of fungicides to ensure both yield stability and product quality. These fungal threats are particularly acute due to climate variability and periodic rainfall patterns, which create favorable conditions for diseases such as powdery mildew, rusts, and downy mildew. Commercial farming in the country often integrates modern techniques such as precision agriculture, irrigation systems, and controlled application of agrochemicals, enabling efficient and effective use of fungicides.

The government and private sector have both invested heavily in agricultural R&D and extension services, promoting awareness and adoption of best practices in disease management. In addition, South Africa’s robust agrochemical distribution network ensures the accessibility of fungicides even in more remote farming areas. The presence of multinational agrochemical companies and partnerships with local players further strengthen the country’s ability to introduce new and improved fungicidal products tailored to regional crop profiles and environmental conditions.

Considered in this report

• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report

• Fungicides Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type

• Chemical Fungicides
• Biological Fungicides

By Crop Type

• Cereals & Grains
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Oilseeds & Pulses
• Others

By Form

• Liquid
• Dry

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to this industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.