India exports insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides to 178 countries.
Indian Industry
India is one of the world’s leading producers and fastest-growing exporters of crop protection products, supporting agricultural markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The industry is divided into six major categories:
- Insecticides: Historically the largest segment in India, accounting for roughly 55% to 65% of domestic pesticide use to protect major crops like cotton and rice from harmful insects.
- Herbicides: Widely used to control weeds that compete with crops for essential nutrients and water, particularly in field crops like paddy and soybean.
- Fungicides: Applied to prevent and manage fungal diseases across fruits, vegetables, and cash crops.
- Bio-pesticides: A rapidly growing segment driven by government support, rising environmental awareness, and the need to mitigate soil and water contamination.
- Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs): Formulations used to modify and enhance crop growth and yield performance.
- Rodenticides: Used for agricultural field protection and post-harvest grain storage.
Driven by intensive yield optimization, modern product launches, such as “PINAKA” by Saffire Crop Science and “GRANUVIA” by Insecticides (India) Limited, reflect continued investment in advanced agricultural technologies.
The overall pesticides market in India has been largely dominated by chemical pesticides. However, the biopesticide market in India has a huge growth potential, primarily owing to government support and increasing awareness about the use of environmentally friendly pesticides in the country.
Major Pesticide Manufacturers and Exporters in India:
Dhanuka Agritech Limited
Coromandel International Limited
IndoGulf Crop Sciences Limited
Rallis India
UPL Limited
PI Industries
Gharda Chemicals
Indofil Industries
Bayer CropScience India
Syngenta India
Regulatory Framework
Rodenticides, fungicides and various other pesticides are strictly monitored by governmental agencies. Directed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all pesticides (including imports) need to be registered before sale or distribution. If a rodenticide can harm humans or the ecosystem, it will be considered as restricted-use.
Restricted use pesticides can only be used by or under the direct supervision of certified pesticide applicators. For instance, all rodenticide tracking powders are considered to be restricted-use and need a RUP license to purchase or use. The stringent and rigorous regulatory requirements to launch or import a new rodenticide are expected to act as a restraint for this market growth.
In India, the sector is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare through the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) under the Insecticides Act. Navigating product registration under the CIBRC is a required step for foreign and domestic companies seeking to manufacture, import, or distribute active ingredients and specialty formulations in the Indian market.
Last updated: August 5th, 2026
