Agricultural Chelates Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 – 2030)
The Agriculture Chelates Market Report and is Segmented by Type (Synthetic and Organic), Application (Soil, Foliar, Fertigation, and Other Applications), Crop Type (Grains and Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds, Commercial Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, and Turf and Ornamentals), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa). The Report Market Size and Forecast Will Be Provided in Terms of Value (USD) for all the Abovementioned Segments.
Agricultural Chelates Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 – 2030)
Agricultural Chelates Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 – 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.18 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 1.68 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 – 2030) | 7.34 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | North America |
| Largest Market | Asia |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Agricultural Chelates Market Analysis
The Agricultural Chelates Market size is estimated at USD 1.18 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.68 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.34% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Concerns over food security are rising due to changing climate conditions, diminishing arable land, and a swiftly expanding global population. The 2022 Census of Agriculture, conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), revealed that the number of farms in the United States (U.S.) has dipped below 2 million. Specifically, in 2022, the U.S. counted 1.9 Million farms, marking a 7% decrease from the figures in the 2017 Census. Additionally, the Census highlighted a 2.2% reduction in total U.S. farmland, bringing it down to 880 million acres in 2022. Given these developments, boosting productivity through appropriate agricultural inputs has become imperative. Consequently, there’s been a notable surge in the adoption of chelating agents in agriculture, to enhance crop yields to satisfy global food requirements. Chelating agents facilitate plants’ uptake of nutrients, making certain nutrients more accessible. This leads to improved plant growth and development, ultimately enhancing crop yield and quality.
- Independent laboratory analyses highlight troubling trends, includes wheat crops in the UK are experiencing a 10% nitrogen deficiency and a 25% phosphorus deficiency, as evidenced by thousands of soil samples. Chelation serves as a protective mechanism, shielding micronutrients from unwanted reactions in both solutions and soil. By boosting the bioavailability of micronutrients like Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn, chelated fertilizers play a pivotal role in enhancing the productivity and profitability of commercial crop production. Notably, in soils with a pH exceeding 6.5 or those under low-micronutrient stress, chelated fertilizers have demonstrated a superior capacity to boost commercial yields compared to standard micronutrients.
- With the rising momentum of sustainable farming and growing awareness about the environmental repercussions of synthetic chelating agents, there’s a marked pivot towards exploring biodegradable alternatives. In light of this, companies are strategically positioning themselves to meet this evolving demand, thereby strengthening their market presence.
Agricultural Chelates Market Trends
Increasing Preference for EDTA in Agriculture
- Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) has emerged as the premier synthetic chelating agent in agriculture, widely employed for both soil and foliar nutrient applications. At soil pH levels around 6.0, EDTA demonstrates its efficacy in open-field fertigation. This adaptability plays a pivotal role in cementing EDTA’s leading market position.
- EDTA chelates are preferred over conventional inorganic sources due to their superior efficiency in transferring essential trace elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)—from the soil directly to plant roots. The Indian Institute of Soil Science highlights a concerning trend of micronutrient deficiencies are widespread, with average deficiencies in Indian soils being 43.0% for Zinc, 12.1% for Iron, 5.4% for Copper, 5.6% for Manganese, and 18.3% for Boron. Alarmingly, the combined deficiency of Zn and B in acidic soils, and Zn and Fe in semi-arid regions, signals potential challenges for future cropping systems. Zinc, a crucial micronutrient, is essential for maintaining plant hormone balance and fostering growth. Organic chelated zinc sources, particularly Zn-EDTA (which contains 12% Zn), are frequently regarded as superior to their inorganic alternatives. For instance, when treating crops like corn and beans, the application of Zn-EDTA chelate fertilizer allows farmers to use only half the quantity compared to traditional zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). Additionally, EDTA chelates not only come at a lower price point but also boast greater accessibility than numerous other commercial agricultural chelates available today.
- Prominent players in the market showcase a wide array of EDTA products tailored for agricultural use. Corteva, for instance, offers its EDTA chelating agents under the brand names Versenol and Crop Max, both of which are in high demand within the agricultural community. Beyond its nutrient application, EDTA’s ability to detoxify soils contaminated with heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead further fuels its market expansion. However, EDTA isn’t without its challenges. Like many synthetic agents, it grapples with issues such as high costs, limited biodegradability, and potential secondary pollution risks. These challenges could hinder the segment’s growth trajectory.
Asia-Pacific Dominates the Market
- In the Asia-Pacific region, China, India, Japan, and Australia lead in market demand for agricultural chelates. According to the Australian Government, alkaline soils account for about 24% of Australia’s land, particularly in the western regions, where pH levels range from 4 to 8.5. As a result, Australia is experiencing an increasing demand for chelating agents, driven by trace element deficiencies that impede agricultural productivity growth.
- China, home to the world’s largest population, also hosts some of the most expansive agricultural facilities. With its population surging and food demand rising, Chinese farmers are under pressure to achieve higher crop yields. Yet, various regions in China grapple with micronutrient deficiencies in their calcareous soils. To address these challenges, China is undertaking a comprehensive soil census, led by a nonprofit environmental organization from Beijing, with an anticipated completion in 2025. Insights from this soil survey are poised to illuminate soil deficiencies, potentially boosting chelate sales in the nation.
- Micronutrient deficiencies are currently undermining productivity in rice-growing nations, notably Thailand. An independent study identified key micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) as pivotal, revealing their deficiency could slash rice grain yields by a staggering 24.12%–46.46%. However, with the application of DTPA, these yields can be significantly bolstered through the addition of these micronutrients.
Agricultural Chelates Industry Overview
The global agricultural chelates market is consolidated, with the major players in the market including BASF SE, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Syngenta Ag, Dow Inc, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V, etc holding a significant share of the market. The significant market share of these players can be attributed to a highly diversified product portfolio and acquisitions and partnerships during the review period. These players also focus on R&D and product innovations to widen their geographical presence.
Agricultural Chelates Market Leaders
- BASF SE
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
- Syngenta Ag
- Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V
- Dow Inc
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Agricultural Chelates Market News
- July 2023: ICL Group introduced a biodegradable chelate with demonstrated bioactivity. This innovative technology not only boasts a significant average yield increase of 2.5 bags per hectare in soybean cultivation, when compared to traditional chelating agents but also ensures biodegradability in the soil and exhibits a pronounced physiological effect.
- January 2023: Nouryon, a global leader in specialty chemicals, acquired ADOB, a prominent supplier of chelated micronutrients, fertilizers, and other specialized agricultural solutions in Poland. This strategic move enhances Nouryon’s diverse crop nutrition portfolio and underscores its unwavering commitment to the agriculture and food sector. The acquisition enables the company to broaden its range of services and products for industry customers.
Agricultural Chelates Industry Segmentation
Chelates are specialized fertilizers that encapsulate micronutrient ions within larger molecules called ligands or chelators. By doing so, chelates not only curb nutrient loss due to leaching but also boost nutrient mobility in the soil, facilitating enhanced uptake by plants.
The report covers the Agriculture Chelates Market and is Segmented by Type (Synthetic and Organic), Application (Soil, Foliar, Fertigation, and Other Applications), Crop Type (Grains and Cereals, Pulses and Oilseeds, Commercial Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, and Turf and Ornamentals), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa). The report market size and forecast will be provided in terms of Value (USD) for all the abovementioned segments.
| Type | Synthetic | EDTA |
| EDDHA | ||
| DTPA | ||
| IDHA | ||
| Other Synthetic Types | ||
| Type | Organic | LingoSulphates |
| Aminoacids | ||
| Heptagluconates | ||
| Other Organic Types | ||
| Application | Soil | |
| Foliar | ||
| Fertigation | ||
| Other Applications | ||
| Crop Type | Grains and Cereals | |
| Pulses and Oilseeds | ||
| Commercial Crops | ||
| Fruits and Vegetables | ||
| Turf and Ornamentals | ||
| Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Rest of North America | ||
| Geography | Europe | Spain |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Germany | ||
| Russia | ||
| Italy | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| Australia | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Geography | South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Geography | Africa | South Africa |
| Rest of Africa |
Agricultural Chelates Market Research FAQs
The Agricultural Chelates Market size is expected to reach USD 1.18 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 7.34% to reach USD 1.68 billion by 2030.
In 2025, the Agricultural Chelates Market size is expected to reach USD 1.18 billion.
BASF SE, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Syngenta Ag, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V and Dow Inc are the major companies operating in the Agricultural Chelates Market.
North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
In 2025, the Asia accounts for the largest market share in Agricultural Chelates Market.
In 2024, the Agricultural Chelates Market size was estimated at USD 1.09 billion. The report covers the Agricultural Chelates Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Agricultural Chelates Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Agricultural Chelates Industry Report
The Global Chelates in Agriculture Market report provides an in-depth industry analysis, focusing on market segmentation by type, application, crop type, and geography. The report highlights key industry trends and market growth, emphasizing the importance of both synthetic and organic chelates in enhancing agricultural productivity. It includes a comprehensive market overview, detailing the market size, market share, and market value, while also offering insights into market leaders and their strategies.
The industry research encompasses various applications such as soil, foliar, and fertigation, addressing the diverse needs of different crop types like grains, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, commercial crops, fruits, vegetables, turf, and ornamentals. The market forecast and market outlook sections provide valuable predictions and industry statistics, helping stakeholders understand the future market dynamics.
This report also includes a detailed industry outlook and industry trends analysis, supported by industry sales data and market data. The market review and market predictions sections offer a thorough examination of the factors driving market growth and the challenges faced by the industry. The industry size and industry information sections provide a snapshot of the current market scenario, while the industry reports and industry research sections offer a deeper dive into specific market aspects.
For those interested in further details, the report pdf is available for download, and it serves as a report example for understanding the market segmentation and market forecast. The research companies involved in this study have ensured that the report is comprehensive and up-to-date, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain insights into the Global Chelates in Agriculture Market.