Agricultural Chelates Market (2026 - 2033)

Agricultural Chelates Market Summary

The global agricultural chelates market size was valued at USD 1.0 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 1.1 billion in 2026 to USD 1.5 billion in 2033, at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 36.0% in 2025. Market growth is attributed to rapid urbanization, accelerating population growth, and steady industrialization.

Source: Grand View Research, IR Documents, Primary Interviews, Paid Databases

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Changing climatic conditions, decreasing availability of arable land, and increasing global population are raising food security concerns. As a result, there has been a significant rise in the use of chelating agents in the agriculture sector to improve crop yield and meet global food demand. Because soil is heterogeneous and complex, the traditional micronutrients in it are readily oxidized or precipitated. Chelation keeps a micronutrient from undesirable reactions in solution and in soil. Chelated fertilizers have greater potential to increase commercial yield than regular micronutrients when the crop is grown under low-micronutrient stress or in soils with a pH greater than 6.5. With the rise of sustainable farming and increasing awareness of the adverse environmental impact of synthetic chelating agents, demand for biodegradable chelating agents has grown. Therefore, companies are capitalizing on customers’ needs to uphold a leading position in the market.

Common chelates include EDTA, DTPA, and EDDHA, which are used to address micronutrient deficiencies in soil. They are effective for micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, and copper. They enhance the solubility and stability of micronutrients, making it easier for plants to absorb them through their root systems. This improves overall nutrient uptake and can positively impact crop yields. The choice of product depends on the soil pH. Different products have varying stability at varied pH levels, ensuring that micronutrients remain available within the desired pH range. The product use should be managed to minimize environmental impact. Excessive application can lead to the accumulation of metals in the soil.

Analyst Perspective

The market is projected to grow at a steady pace, supported by rising demand for highly efficient micronutrient fertilizers that boost crop yields and improve soil fertility. Soil nutrient deficiencies and the move toward precision agriculture are likely to further increase the use of chelating fertilizers. The growing importance of sustainable agriculture and nutrient absorption efficiency is expected to boost market growth in developed and emerging agricultural markets. The development of chelating agents, such as EDTA, DTPA, and EDDHA, will continue to contribute to market expansion.

Type Insights

The synthetic segment accounted for the largest revenue share of approximately 51.0% in 2025. The growth of this segment is driven by various benefits, such as preventing micronutrient deficiencies, enhancing nutrient uptake, and promoting optimal plant growth. They are chemical compounds created to mimic the chelating properties of naturally occurring substances. Some of the key types include EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, and EDDHA. Their application is tailored to the needs of different crops and soil types to ensure efficient nutrient utilization.

DTPA is effective in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and helps in preventing micronutrient deficiencies. HEDTA is a synthetic chelate used for micronutrient delivery, particularly in alkaline soils. It forms stable complexes with metals like iron, improving their availability to plants. Further, EDDHA is a synthetic chelate designed for iron delivery in alkaline soils, where other chelates might be less effective.

Humic acids and fulvic acids derived from decomposed organic matter, such as compost or decomposed plant material, can act as natural chelating agents. They enhance nutrient availability in the soil and improve nutrient uptake by plants. Some organic chelates are based on amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids can form complexes with metal ions, aiding the transport of nutrients to plants.

Application Insights

The foliar segment accounted for a significant market share in 2025. This is because the method ensures uniform nutrient application and reduces agricultural input costs. This technique includes applying products using tractor-mounted sprayers, spray pumps, airplanes, and drones. This provides an opportunity to maximize the yield, minimize nutrient losses, and reduce environmental pollution. The application of agricultural chelates in soil is a strategic practice aimed at improving nutrient availability for plants. They can be incorporated into the soil during land preparation or planting. This method ensures that the products are distributed throughout the root zone, promoting a more even availability of micronutrients to plants as they grow.

Furthermore, agricultural chelates are sometimes applied through irrigation systems via fertigation. This allows for the controlled release of chelates directly into the soil along with water, ensuring efficient nutrient distribution and uptake by plant roots. In cases where specific areas of a field exhibit micronutrient deficiencies, spot treatments with chelates can be applied. This targeted approach addresses localized nutrient needs and minimizes unnecessary application in areas with sufficient nutrient levels.

Crop Type Insights

The fruits and vegetables segment accounted for the largest share of revenue in 2025. This is attributed to increased export demand for fruits and vegetables from emerging countries, especially in the Asia Pacific region, and high returns, which have led to the expansion of cultivation areas for these crops. Hence, the market for fruits and vegetables is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

The cereal and grains segment is expected to record a steady growth rate over the forecast period. Crops such as wheat, barley, and oats may face iron deficiencies, especially in alkaline soils. Iron chelates, including synthetic ones like EDDHA and natural ones from organic sources, are applied to soil to improve the availability of iron to cereals. This is crucial for processes like chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis. Cereals often require sufficient amounts of zinc and manganese for proper growth and development. In addition to soil application, chelates can be applied directly to the leaves of cereal crops through foliar sprays. This method allows for quick nutrient absorption, particularly during critical growth stages.

Agricultural practices often involve tailored chelate formulations to meet the specific nutrient requirements of different pulse varieties. This customization ensures that pulses receive the necessary micronutrients in proportions suitable for their growth and development. Soil pH can impact the availability of micronutrients. Chelates are selected based on soil pH to ensure that micronutrients remain in a form that oilseed crops can absorb. This is particularly important for crops such as canola, which can be sensitive to micronutrient deficiencies.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest revenue share of approximately 36.0% in 2025. This is attributed to the growing regional population along with a continuous need to increase agricultural productivity to meet the rising demand for food. They play a key role in enhancing nutrient availability for crops, which can contribute to improved yields. Farmers in the region are increasingly adopting modern agricultural practices to optimize crop production, including the use of chelates to address micronutrient deficiencies and promote better plant growth. The region is also expected to progress at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. In addition, in April 2024, Haifa Group expanded its presence in India through a strategic collaboration with Deepak Group to enhance innovation and sustainability in plant nutrition and agriculture. The partnership is intended to provide Indian farmers with access to advanced plant nutrition solutions and promote improved crop productivity through more efficient agricultural practices.

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North America Agricultural Chelates Market Trends

The agricultural chelates market in North America has seen an increasing adoption of precision agricultural practices aimed at optimizing resource use and improving crop yields. They are used as part of precision farming strategies to enhance nutrient availability for plants. Moreover, changes in weather patterns and increased climate variability can impact soil conditions and nutrient availability. Farmers may turn to chelates as a tool to mitigate the effects of such variability on crop protection.

Europe Agricultural Chelates Market Trends

The agricultural chelates market in Europe places a strong emphasis on sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. Chelates, by improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing the risk of nutrient runoff, fit into the broader goals of sustainable agriculture. The regional product demand may be influenced by the growth of organic farming. Organic chelates, derived from natural sources, can be used in organic agriculture to enhance nutrient availability without compromising organic certification standards.

Key Agricultural Chelates Company Insights

The market for agricultural chelates is moderately fragmented, with both small and large players. Key market participants include BASF, Nouryon, Dow, Yara, ICL, Haifa Negev Technologies Ltd, among others. Market players invest in innovation, product launches, mergers, and acquisitions to improve their market share and gain a competitive edge. For instance, in December 2025, BASF Agricultural Solutions announced a strategic co-development and commercialization agreement with ADAMA Ltd. to develop and commercialize the Gilboa fungicide technology. The collaboration is intended to accelerate the delivery of next-generation disease management solutions for European cereal growers, strengthening BASF's crop protection portfolio and supporting sustainable crop production.

Key Agricultural Chelates Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the agricultural chelates market:

• BASF

• Nouryon

• Dow

• Yara

• ICL

• Haifa Negev Technologies Ltd

• Syngenta

• Nufarm

• Aries Agro Limited

• The Andersons, Inc.

Recent Developments

• In March 2026, ASF Agricultural Solutions completed the acquisition of AgBiTech, a biological crop protection company, thereby strengthening its biological solutions portfolio and advancing its integrated crop management strategy by expanding its biological crop protection capabilities.
• In December 2025, BASF | Nunhems expanded its vegetable seed portfolio in India by acquiring Noble Seeds Pvt. Ltd., thereby supporting high-value crop cultivation, where demand for chelated micronutrients is increasing due to intensive farming practices.
• In November 2025, BASF Digital Farming expanded its xarvio FIELD MANAGER platform, enabling optimized nutrient-application decisions and improving precision agriculture practices, which are expected to drive the adoption of chelated fertilizers to enhance crop yield efficiency.
• In April 2025, BASF launched Trilon G, a GLDA-based biodegradable chelating agent that offers improved sustainability and more effective metal-ion binding, supporting the growing demand for environmentally friendly chelation technologies across multiple industries.

Global Agricultural Chelates Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global agricultural chelates market report based on type, crop type, application, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Synthetic

  • Organic

• Crop Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Cereals & Grains

  • Oilseeds & Pulses

  • Fruits & Vegetables

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Soil

  • Foliar

  • Fertigation

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa