India’s Agrochemical Sector Embraces Tech, Sustainability, and Global Partnerships
10 November 2025 At the 2025 AgriBusiness Global Trade Summit in Orlando, FL, industry leaders gathered for the AgriBusiness Global LIVE! session, “Inside India: Trends, Tech & Beyond.” The discussion explored how India’s crop protection industry is evolving into a global powerhouse — from technological innovation and regulatory progress to expanded manufacturing capacity and sustainability initiatives. Among the featured speakers was Subhra Jyoti Roy, Vice President – International Business at Gharda Chemicals Ltd., who outlined how India’s agrochemical sector continues to grow in scale, sophistication, and global relevance.
India’s Rise as a Global Export Powerhouse
“From a humble beginning, India has come a long way and now stands as the second-largest exporter of agrochemicals after China,” said Roy. As of 2023, India’s agrochemical exports peaked at $5.5 billion, though they dipped slightly to $4.8 billion during the pandemic. “We expect to bounce back by the end of this year, with volumes improving and prices stabilizing,” he added.
India’s top export markets remain Japan, the United States, and Brazil, with Japan playing a key role in contract and custom manufacturing (CDMO/CMO) partnerships. Indian agrochemical exporters now reach around 150 countries, a figure that has stabilized in recent years. As a result, “exporters are now focused on gaining market share and wallet share in existing markets,” Roy explained.
Between 2019 and 2025, India’s international business in crop protection grew by 105%, driven largely by the specialty chemicals, intermediates, and agrochemical active ingredients segments — together worth around $4 billion, with $1.5 billion coming from agro actives alone.
A major factor behind this growth is customer-centric expansion. “Indian firms are setting up wholly owned subsidiaries overseas to secure and manage registrations,” said Roy. “We’re seeing moderate growth in registration-based and alliance-based sales, but going forward, the CDMO business will likely outpace both international and domestic segments.”
Domestic Market: Greener, Smarter, and Poised for Growth
On the domestic front, India’s crop protection market is valued at roughly $4-4.5 billion at the distributor level. The government’s 2020 proposal to ban 27 agrochemicals — ultimately banning three — has accelerated the industry’s pivot toward greener products, organic farming, and biopesticides.
“Biopesticides are still an emerging category,” Roy noted, “currently around $200 million, but expected to grow to $390 million by 2029.”
At the same time, India’s long-standing strength in information technology is now transforming agriculture. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital platforms are being adopted to enhance precision farming and optimize agrochemical application. “India continues to use significantly less agrochemicals per acre compared to developed markets like Japan, Europe, the U.S., and Brazil — which means there’s tremendous room for growth,” Roy said.
This growth potential has not gone unnoticed. Global players such as Sumitomo Chemical, Nihon Nohyaku, and Mitsui Chemicals have entered India through joint ventures and acquisitions, while major corporations like FMC and UPL continue to refine their strategies in the Indian market.
Manufacturing Momentum and Sustainability
India has also emerged as the fourth-largest agrochemical manufacturer in the world. Supported by national programs such as “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) and “Make in India,” the country is rapidly becoming a preferred destination for global production.
“The level of direct investment we’ve seen over the past five years is unprecedented,” said Roy. At the same time, many companies are repurposing older facilities to focus on greener chemistries and sustainable production. “Indian organizations are recognizing the importance of sustainability and partnering with multinationals to reduce their carbon footprint through scope 3 collaborations,” he explained.
On the formulation side, nanotechnology and controlled-release solutions are gaining traction as innovations that could redefine the efficiency and environmental impact of crop protection products.
R&D and the Rise of GLP-Certified Labs
Another key growth driver is India’s expanding R&D infrastructure. Since joining the OECD Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) agreement in 2011, India has become a global leader in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) research.
“In the late 1980s, India had just one GLP lab,” said Roy. “Today, there are 59 GLP-certified facilities across the country — an incredible leap.” These labs serve both in-house R&D and third-party services, supporting data generation for international registrations.
For instance, Gharda Chemicals operates a fully GLP-accredited research foundation, while companies like UPL and Eurofins also offer contract research services. The boom in exporters — from 320 in 2019 to 481 in 2025 — has fueled demand for high-quality data, making India a global hub for cost-effective, reliable research.
“Indian CROs have become extremely competitive and globally respected,” Roy emphasized. “Their data is widely accepted, and international firms are increasingly relying on Indian labs for regulatory work.”
While the pace of growth in new GLP facilities may stabilize, Roy believes their strategic importance will only increase as regulatory standards tighten worldwide.
As India continues to strengthen its position as a production, innovation, and regulatory hub, its role in shaping the global crop protection industry has never been more significant.
“India’s agrochemical industry has proven its capability, adaptability, and vision,” Roy concluded. “We’re not just a supplier anymore — we’re an integral part of the global agricultural ecosystem.”
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