Fertilizer industry shifts toward integrated agronomic systems, away from standalone products

Global markets for biologicals and specialty fertilizers continue to expand, but companies face increasing challenges in capturing value as competition intensifies and product categories become crowded, according to DunhamTrimmer executives.

At the NewAG International Annual 2026 conference in Madrid, DunhamTrimmer executives said the sector is shifting from standalone products to integrated agronomic systems combining nutrients, biologicals, delivery technologies, and advanced materials. Vatren Jurin said innovation focuses more on how nutrients are delivered and incorporated into broader farming systems than on nutrients alone. He noted rising interest in advanced delivery systems, inhibitors, materials science, and biological integration, driven by nutrient inefficiencies, tightening regulations, higher input costs, and supply chain disruptions.

Jurin said a main technical hurdle is maintaining compatibility and stability in formulations combining biological and chemical components. He added that future growth will likely focus on multifunctional systems where nutrients, materials, and biological inputs are engineered together, with value concentrating among companies that can scale integrated solutions.

Manel Cervera said growth in biologicals markets is becoming uneven across regions and product segments. Latin America and emerging Asian markets drive expansion in broad-acre crops and integrated production systems, while mature markets face margin pressure and commoditization, especially in generic biostimulants and highly penetrated biocontrol segments.

Cervera warned that the growing number of undifferentiated products reduces value per hectare and makes it harder for suppliers to maintain premium pricing. He said companies that integrate products into existing agronomic practices, demonstrate measurable return on investment, and scale commercial execution are likely to outperform competitors. “The key question is no longer whether the market is growing, but who will capture that growth,” Cervera said.

Sources: AgroPages