The value of the global biopesticide market is expected to reach $4,556.37 Million by 2019, at a
compound annual growth rate of 15.30% from 2014 to 2019 (source: Marketsandmarkets.com,
2014; last access 31/03/2015). The reasons for such growth can be found in: the increasing
concerns on the impact of residues and overuse of synthetic chemical pesticides and the
increasing relevance of pests and pathogens due to growth in food demand, the withdrawal of
several chemical pesticides including soil fumigants, the appearance of new invasive species and
pesticide resistant strains of pests, the effect of climate change and the specialised monoculture.
The decrease of the cost of several biopesticides, the introduction of technologically advanced
products, the increase knowledge of farmers and the strict thresholds in pesticides residues set
by many food retailers are also promoting the switch form chemical to biopesticides. In addition
in EU the Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (2009/128/EC) is also expected to
stimulate the biopesticide market positively.
Some active ingredients have been included in Annex 1 according Regulation EC 1107/2009 and
several new others are most probably under development by multinational agrochemical
companies following recent acquisitions. According the present regulation if a microorganism has
fungicide activity should be registered in order to be applied for such use. The high cost of
registration prevents a large number of potential biocontrol agents to reach the market. Since
each registered use should be supported by specific efficacy trials, the companies tend to register
the products against those pathogens with the largest potential market. This results in products
potentially active against a large number of soilborne pathogens, but authorised only on the
specific one on which the registration trails have been carried out