Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Size - By Product Type, Application, Crop type, Industry Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Size

The global humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market reached USD 878.1 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 943.1 million in 2025 to USD 1.8 billion in 2034, at a CAGR of 7.9% driven by increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the rising need to improve soil health and crop productivity.
 

Humic and fulvic acids are naturally occurring organic compounds that improve nutrient uptake, make soil structure more conducive to plant uptake, and increase the plant’s ability to withstand environmental stress. They are able to offer these benefits, their use is an important part of crop management, especially in crops like cereals, fruits, vegetables, and turf.
 

The most relevant segment of the humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market by product type has humic acid, as the chief segment whereas fulvic acid had a small market share. The remaining segment included potassium humate, sodium humate, blends, and specialty functionalized products.
 

Regionally, Asia-Pacific has a significant market share because of intensive agriculture and more adoption of organic inputs. The North America and Europe markets are also substantial, attributed to support and regulations to move towards sustainable practices and capitalize on consumer awareness of environmentally friendly food.
 

The most compelling drivers for this market are the degradation of soil health, increased demand by food producers to get higher crop yields, and regulations and policies. Major players keeping with the emerging opportunities for humic and fulvic acid were focusing on product innovation, partnerships, and overall geographic reach.
 

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Trends

Surge in Organic and Regenerative Agriculture: Organic and regenerative agriculture is being embraced. These biostimulants meet eco-certification standards and enhance soil articulations of biodiversity, climate troposphere carbon sequestration, and soil health improvements that decrease chemical reliance. There is a global preference for products that are sustainably grown, and most legislators and consumers are presently supportive of moving towards sustainable crops.
 

Innovation in Formulations and Delivery Mechanisms: Manufacturers are investing in stimulating new formulation technologies that will provide greater use efficiencies and stability. The integration of other bioactive and micronutrients with humic and fulvic acid, helps formulate products with multifunctional benefits for the crop being grown. Continuous investment in innovation is improving the uptake by the plant and compatibility with irrigation systems for many of the farms and commercial horticultural producers of humic and fulvic acid products globally.
 

Expansion in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): Growth of Controlled Environment Agriculture, including vertical farming and hydroponics, presents new opportunity for humic and fulvic acid biostimulants.  As urban agriculture scales and climate change diminishes open-field agriculture, the adoption of CEA is accelerating in regions like North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. A surge in biostimulants designed for soilless systems is expected due to a growing market of high-tech agriculture.
 

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Analysis

On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into humic acid, fulvic acid, potassium humate, sodium humate, humic fulvic acid blends, speciality and functionalized products. Humic acid holds a significant share at a valuation of USD 532 million in 2024.
 

• Humic acid is best known for its high molecular weight and high carbon content and is primarily used to improve soil structure and enhance microbes. Potassium humate, a water-soluble form of humic acid, is highly regarded in fertigation or foliar applications for its ease as an application method and its effectiveness of nutrient absorption.
   
• Fulvic acid, with smaller molecular structure plays a prominent role in chelating micronutrients and delivering them directly into plant cells. More recent blended products that combine humic and fulvic acids will also exploit their synergistic impacts and improve both soil and plant performance.
   
• Speciality products are increasingly being developed that may include added amino acids, seaweed extracts or beneficial microbes as precision agriculture continues to grow in demand. Product advancements are created to meet targeted crop needs, soil conditions, or regulatory aspects.
   
• As the push for more organic and sustainable farming models, these more diversified product lines may also provide growers with tailored solutions that were previously made as part of the goals of modern agriculture and productivity while regenerating soils.

On the basis of application, the humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market is segmented into foliar application, soil application, seed treatment, fertigation and hydroponic systems, root dipping and transplant application. Foliar application holds the market share of 51.3% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 7.6% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• The market is comprised of diverse product types that support plant growth, nutrient uptake, and soil health. Product types in the market include humic acid, fulvic acid, potassium humate, sodium humate, humic-fulvic blends, and various speciality/functionalized products. Biostimulants containing humic and fulvic acids are applicable to many agricultural practices and are increasingly being adopted with an emphasis on precision and sustainability.
   
• Soil application is still the most common application and typically provides numerous benefits in terms of soil structure, microbial life and nutrient staying power, this is especially true for soils that are degraded or with low fertility. Foliar applications are still growing in adoption because of quick responses with nutrient uptake, and their ability to alleviate abiotic stress like drought or salinity.
   
• Foliar applications are terrific to utilize during growing phases when plant require nutrient availability in real time. Seed treatment is developing to become another potential strategy, modelled after various humic and fulvic treatments made at the time of planting to improve germination and early root establishment of the seedling and vigor.
   
• In fertigation and in hydroponic systems potassium humates and fulvic acids are oftentimes used due the solubility of the products and their usefulness in irrigation systems for an even and efficient supply of nutrients. Root dipping and transplant treatments are popular techniques in nursery and horticultural industries to minimize transplant shock while stimulating initial root establishment.
   
• The versatility of humic and fulvic based biostimulants allows ease of integration into traditional, organic and high technology growing systems. Their compatibility with other agricultural inputs practically guarantees their adoption as cost efficient, sustainable inputs for crop production, particularly for those growing under an integrated nutrient management plan.
   

On the basis of crop type, the humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market is segmented into cereals and grains, fruits and vegetables, turf and ornamentals, field crops and industrial applications. Cereals and grains estimated to grasp a value of USD 379.1 million in 2025 and is expected to grow at an 8.3% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• In the case of humic-acid- and fulvic-acid-based biostimulants, the crop types under consideration can include all segments of crops that have diverse uses that are aimed at specific needs of each sector. Crops that are in the cereals and grains segment are also known as the major crops, and can include wheat, rice, corn, barley, oats, and others. Their use in these crops can create a positive impact of nutrient efficiency, improved initiation of root growth, and improved plant resistance to stressors such as drought or salinity.
   
• The use of these biostimulants can improve nutrient uptake, which can lead to improved yield and grain quality. The fruit and vegetable segment including crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, melons, apples and citrus can benefit from enhanced fruit size, firmness, shelf-life and greater tolerance to environmental stressors. They also improved soil microbial activity and balance, which is important for sustainable continuous cropping.
   
• In turf and ornamentals, biostimulants permissible for use, including humic and fulvic acids, can improve colour, density, and achieve resilience of aesthetic quality of golf courses, sports fields, and landscaped areas. In field crops and industrial crops from cotton, soybean, sugarcane and oilseeds – inputs of humic and fulvic acid can improve chlorophyll, biomass production, and nutrient translocation.
   
• While it is important to consider and monitor time of application, their function in plant metabolism and reducing stress during vulnerable periods within a growing season is an important management consideration to achieve maximum plant profitability in farming systems.

The humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market is dominated by U.S., which accounted for a revenue of USD 232.4 million of total revenue in 2024.
 

• The market for biostimulants based on humic and fulvic acids in the United States is growing rapidly due to increased demand for sustainable agricultural practices and to improve the health of soils. Humic acid's contribution to improving root, leaf, and shoot development, stimulating seed germination, and improving nutrient uptake is applicable to multiple crop types which include soybeans, wheat, rice, maize, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, citrus and grapes.
   
• It is especially useful in altering soil pH, which facilitates use in greenhouse and open field agricultural production systems. Fulvic acid is beneficial by promoting nutrient absorption while assisting in plant stress mitigation, lending to this market's growth potential.
   
• Favourable regulations, improved awareness among farmers, and a shift toward organic farming practices utilizing safer product inputs, are also factors supporting the growth of this U.S. market.
   

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Share

The market is competitive, driven by the continuing demand for sustainable and efficient agricultural solutions. The market is composed of several global agrochemical giants, mid-sized entities that focus on offering innovative products, and regional players, all bottlenecking to ultimately take market share in this developing area. Key players are BASF SE, Bayer AG, Novozymes A/S, UPL Limited, and Valagro S.p.A.
 

Intensifying competition is being spurred on in part due to the increasing requirement for higher standards of efficacy, consistency, and environmental safety across regulatory frameworks, especially in Europe, North America, and to an increasing extent in Asia. The market players are looking at different strategies related to new product offerings and humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market expansion, particularly through collaborative partnerships.
 

Innovation and new product R&D continue to be a differentiating factor, with a focus on liquid concentrates or powder type soluble products, and product systems containing packaged biostimulants with microbial and humic-based components.
 

Demand from developing markets that are often being impacted by climate crisis coupled with competition from new entrants indicate expansive activities will continue. Players that can demonstrate both proven excellence and regulatory compliance while providing sustainable value will capture from the fast-growing pool of competitors taking ground in the global market.
 

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Market Companies

BASF SE: BASF SE is a major participant in the humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants field with a focus on sustainable agriculture, or farming that considers the environmental impact, food security, and profitability of the farmer. The company is focused on product development with an emphasis on innovative products that improve the health of the soil, enable the growth of the plants, and can be developed further to provide a sustainable agricultural solution.
 

Novozymes A/S: Novozymes A/S is a global player in biological solutions. For example, the company offers humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants that help improve nutrient uptake, resilience, and sustainable farming. Because of the emphasis on the bioprocess of Nutrient Biomimics, Novozymes believes that innovation and sustainability can be combined to address modern farming concerns with a pathway towards a better future.
 

Bayer AG: Bayer AG launched a new biostimulants in 2021, a formulation of amino acids combined with fulvic acid with the goal of enhancing crop efficiency. Ambition aims to increase plant stress tolerance, plant nutrient absorption, and performance of crops overall. Ambition can be used on a variety of crops including, chili, rice, grape, soybean, cotton, groundnut, pomegranate, cucumber, maize, potato, tomato etc.
 

UPL Limited: UPL Limited has biostimulants solutions for all varieties of crops and supports sustainable agriculture as part of their global strategy. UPL Limited continuously works with innovators to look at ways to enable effective and sustainable ways to provide solutions on these very contemporary farming issues.
 

Valagro S.p.A.: Valagro S.p.A. is part of the Syngenta group and specializes in a range of biostimulants, including those using humic and fulvic acids for improved plant growth and resilience. The products from this organization are geared towards improving nutrient uptake, soil structure, and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
 

Humic and Fulvic Acid-Based Biostimulants Industry News

• In June 2023, Bionema Group launched seven biostimulants products based on seaweed formulations to improve plant health and mitigate stressful situations. This launch is part of Bionema’s sustainability agenda and strategy for the future, providing other natural crop enhancers that can improve productivity and reduce chemicals.
   
• In June 2025, India extended the Fertilizer Control Order to also include biostimulants and microbial formulations. The extension defined a multitude of standards which included humic and fulvic acids, seaweed and seaweed extracts, protein hydrolysates and microbes. The statements made for biostimulants included standards regarding quality, limits of dosage, and efficacy to support the development of sustainable, precise and environmentally sustainable agricultural methods across multiple crops.
   

The humic and fulvic acid-based biostimulants market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in (USD Million) & Volume in (Kilo Tons) from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Product Type

• Humic acid
• Fulvic acid
• Potassium humate
• Sodium humate
• Humic fulvic acid blends
• Specialty and functionalized products

Market, By Application

• Foliar application
• Soil application
• Seed treatment
• Fertigation and hydroponic systems
• Root dipping and transplant application

Market, By Crop Type

• Cereals and grains
  • Wheat applications and benefits
  • Rice production systems
  • Corn and maize applications
  • Other cereals (barley, oats, sorghum) 
• Fruits and vegetables
  • Tree fruits and orchards
  • Vegetable production
  • Berry production
  • Specialty berry crops
• Turf and ornamentals
  • Golf course management
  • Sports field applications
  • Landscape and residential turf
  • Ornamental plant production
• Field crops and industrial applications
  • Oilseed crops
  • Fiber crops
  • Sugar crops
  • Forage and pasture

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada 
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe 
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest Of Latin America 
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of MEA