Market Trends of North America Molluscicides Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the North America Molluscicides Market according to our research experts:
Increasing Adoption of Agrochemicals
The use of agrochemicals increased due to insect infestation of crops leading to yield loss. FAO estimates that between 20% and 40% of global crop yields are lost each year due to the damage caused by plant pests and the efficacy of agrochemicals in controlling the pests. North America is a leading region in the production and export of insecticides. The agricultural use of pesticides in North America increased by 7 ton in 2019. The increased population of mollusks, such as snails and slugs, has increased the use of molluscicides. The overall increase in the usage of molluscicides in agricultural applications is largely due to the application of molluscicides to crops, such as corn, rice, and wheat. Chemical molluscicides are effective in controlling slugs and snails. Manufacturers widely utilize chemical molluscicides such as copper sulfate and iron sulfate due to their efficacy. Copper sulfate is the most effective for controlling grey slug species, whereas iron sulfate is an eco-friendly chemical used by certified organic growers to control slugs.
Demand for Horticulture Crops
The demand for better-quality horticultural crops is growing. The fruit yield in North America decreased by 119 kg per ha from 2019 to 2020. The increasing awareness about yield loss caused by the mollusks in horticultural crops is boosting the application of molluscicides to reduce the impact. According to North Carolina State University, approximately 725 species of land snails and about 40 species of slugs are from North America. Most of these species have been introduced accidentally and are usually gregarious and cause serious damage to horticultural crops. According to USDA, the Giant African Snail is one of the most damaging mollusks globally, as it consumes at least 500 types of plants and can cause structural damage to plaster and stucco structures. The growing incidence of mollusk attacks on horticulture crops is driving the growth of the molluscicide market. As the horticultural crops are high-value crops, the use of molluscicide is necessary. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the molluscicide market.
