Humic Acid Market By Source (Leonardite, Peat, Biochar & pyrolytic residues, Manure-derived humics, Sapropel, Vermicompost, Others), By Functionality (Soil conditioner, Chelation & micronutrient availability, Root growth promoter, Carbon sequestration, CEC enhancer, Water retention, Fertilizer efficiency, Others), By Processing Method (Alkali extraction, Acid precipitation, Oxidative extraction, Enzymatic processing), By Physical Form (Liquid, Powder, Flake, Suspension concentrate, Water-soluble crystals), By Grade (Technical grade, Agricultural grade, Organic-certified inputs, Feed additive grade, Industrial grade), and By End User (Commercial farms, Smallholder farmers, Greenhouse growers & nurseries, Fertilizer manufacturers, Turf managers, Aquaculture & livestock operators, Others), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

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What trends will shape Humic Acid Market in the coming years?

The Humic Acid Market accounted for USD 719.35 Million in 2024 and USD 795.96 Million in 2025 is expected to reach USD 2189.81 Million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 10.65% between 2025 and 2035. The global humic acid market is defined as the trade and production of the natural organic compound humic acid extracted from the soil, peat, and coal. It is also the most applied in the agricultural field as a soil conditioner and soil fertiliser adjuvant to enhance the well-being of the soil, nutrient availability, and crop production. Applications of humic acid include use in water treatment, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals because of its detoxifying and health-promoting effects. The growing demands of organic farming and sustainable agriculture methods motivate the market. Environmental awareness and the necessity of eco-friendly agricultural inputs are the factors that contribute to growth in the humic acid market.

What do industry experts say about the Humic Acid market trends?

“Humic matter plays a foundational role in soil function. As complex molecular structures, humic acids enhance soil texture and nutrient dynamics and support sustainable agriculture through their interaction with biomass residues and soil organic matter.”

• Alessandro Piccolo, PhD, Professor of Agricultural Chemistry and Ecology, University of Naples Federico II.

Which segments and geographies does the report analyze?

What are the key drivers and challenges shaping the Humic Acid market?

How does increasing organic farming demand boost humic acid consumption worldwide?

The demand for organic farming, which currently favours elemental humic acid, a naturally derived soil conditioner that is equally appropriate in the context of organic farming, is driving an increase in the consumption of organic probiotics worldwide. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the amount of organic farmland across the world has been showing a consistent growth, to a ballpark level of 96 million hectares in 2022, an indication of a widespread adoption of sustainable farming worldwide. Organic cropland is reported to be increasing at a rate in the United States, with the number of registered organic farms doubling in the past ten years, according to USDA reports. This path is reinforced in other countries like India, where the government facilitates organic farming on millions of hectares.

Humic acid promotes soil health by increasing nutrient residency, soil structure, and microbiology, which is essential to organic systems that do not use synthetic fertilisers. The fact that organic regulations disallow using chemicals to amend the soil makes farmers progressively rely on humic acid as a means of ensuring their productivity remains organic. This transition, fuelled by government stewardship that encourages humic acid use and organic farming processes, is leading to the increasing demand for humic acids in the world, which is helping in the creation of healthier soils and sustainable crop farming processes globally.

Can growing awareness about soil health improvement drive humic acid sales?

Increasing concern over soil health enhancement is one of the major triggers in selling humic acid, with the help of data based on reliable government and academic studies. For instance, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that healthy soils with high contents of organic matter enhance crop productivity and the quality of the environment. These soil health goals are in line with the enhancement of soil structures, nutrient retention, and microbial activity by the use of humic acid, which is a natural organic compound.

Seasoned research on organisations such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicates that the practice of humic acid in farming may raise humus levels in the soil and enhance crop levels in the long term. The Soil Health Card scheme in India, which has already tested millions of soil samples, promotes equal nutrient management, which frequently incorporates organic inputs like humic acid. Do such initiatives help to educate farmers and drive the need to access products that help in the prosperity of the soil? In a nutshell, humic acid is going to be an increasingly growing industry as more farmers and policymakers obtain sustainable soil management.

Could inconsistent raw material supply limit humic acid market growth globally?

High costs of inconsistent supply of raw materials are a major roadblock to the growth of the humic acid market, due to the fact that humic substances are obtained through natural deposits such as leonardite, lignite, and peat, which are not evenly distributed across the globe. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that the largest deposition of leonardite is localised to a few locations, e.g., in North Dakota and Texas, which undermines the world supply with its regional environmental fluctuations and mining controls. Further to this, peatlands, which are another significant source, are preserved in various countries, most probably because the ecological value of that resource and therefore its extraction quotas have been cut down, according to the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Availability of such materials is influenced further by the season of the year and climate conditions like drought and floods, causing instability in supply. Such inconsistency compels manufacturers to use low-quality substitutes or to invest in expensive processing methods to retain the quality of the products, thus raising the costs of production. Thus, these supply constraints limit the growth of the market in an emerging economy, where the development of a supply-chain infrastructure is not on the same level. The lack of secure access to quality raw material poses a challenge to the humic acid market to satisfy the increased global demand in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Will emerging eco-friendly agricultural practices create new humic acid product demand?

New environmentally friendly ways of agricultural production, like organic and regenerative farming, further increase the humic acid products because of their capabilities to enhance the natural health of the soil. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report notes that organic agriculture is spread throughout the world, and the organic farming land has increased significantly over the past years, which indicates that the future of agricultural inputs is becoming free of dependence on fossil fuels, one of the problems listed above. In India, initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming advocate in government programmes to use less synthetic fertilisers and fund bio-based soil amendments such as humic substances.

Scientific data released by colleges demonstrates that the humic acids can increase the rate of nutrient availability, improve soil structure, and raise the plant biomass by roughly 20% or more. Agricultural extension services studies conducted in semi-arid areas document that the addition of humic acid, where it is provided with compost, enhances water absorption and yields and also makes crops less addicted to chemical fertilisers. With the rising concern and policies being environmentally friendly, the use of humic acid products is becoming a significant instrument toward achieving both the productivity and environmental outlook, and bridging the gap to the potential market.

Are untapped geographic markets offering potential for humic acid business expansion?

Geographic opportunities include the untapped potential markets geographically that are ripe with market potential and geographic locations with problems facing soil degradation and water shortage, like sections of Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported that almost one-third of the world's soils are degraded, and poor soil health in most developing nations restrains crop harvests. This is very important in reviving such soils, and humic acid can be used because it enhances soil structure and the availability of nutrients.

In India, the government agricultural research institutions have discussed the use of humic substances in increasing water retention and nutrient uptake in drought-prone areas, directly to enhance the food security objectives. Further, many agrarian states in Africa, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, are currently integrating organic soil additives to curtail the loss of soil fertility, as noted in reports released by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Such initiatives, and an increasing movement of the government toward sustainable agriculture, provide encouraging entry points to humic acid products. Further, its writing into those markets is in line with worldwide environmental trends relating to decreased chemical fertiliser applications and increased soil carbon sequestration that would raise the value of humic acid as a weapon or device in impending weather-resistant agriculture.

What are the key market segments in the Humic Acid industry?

Based on the Source, the Humic Acid Market has been classified into Leonardite, Peat, Biochar & pyrolytic residues, Manure-derived humics, Sapropel, Vermicompost, and Others. The dominant, most important segment in the humic acid market is leonardite among the other sources. Leonardite is a highly oxidised lignite coal with a high content of humic substances, a suitable raw material to obtain high-quality humic acid. It is also abundant, easy to extract, and has better humic content, which makes it lead the market. Moreover, humic acid products (based on Leonardite) have become very popular in practical use in agriculture and soil conditioning by virtue of the fact that they increase nutrient assimilation and soil fertility. This contribution of availability, quality, and application flexibility makes Leonardite the most suitable humic acid source in the humic acid industry.

Based on the Functionality, the Humic Acid Market has been classified into Soil conditioner, Chelation & micronutrient availability, Root growth promoter, Carbon sequestration, CEC enhancer, Water retention, Fertilizer efficiency, and Others. The soil conditioner is the most visible and most important functionality in the humic acid market. The main part of humic acids as soil conditioners is enhancing soil structure, enriching the soil in nutrients, and increasing the activity of microorganisms, thus increasing soil health and fertility. This property is vital to sustainable agriculture because it restores degraded soils and also enhances crop productivity. Being widely used and directly affecting the state of soil, the soil conditioner application is the leading demand driver in the humic acid market.

Which regions are leading the Humic Acid market, and why?

The North American humic acid market is growing because it practices superior agricultural policies and has an increasing awareness of sustainable agriculture. Organic and bio-based soil conditioner has a good market requirement in the region since more people need chemical-free crops. There is also a well-established research and development infrastructure that enables innovations in the humic acid application that improve the health of the soils and yields of crops.

Programmes being employed by governments to use environmentally friendly fertilisers and control the use of synthetic chemicals also enhance the use of humic products. Some of the reasons why the region has monopolised the market include the presence of large players in the market and a strong supply chain. Besides, rising investments in precision farming and intelligent farming technologies improve the successful application of humic acid. This mix of products guarantees that North America will be the envy of the leader of the global humic acid market.

The Asia Pacific humic acid market is growing because of its massive agricultural production and the rising demand for inputs of organic farming. Nations such as China, India, and Australia cover large farmlands where humic acid is widely applied to increase soil fertility and production. The increased consciousness concerning the agricultural green practices and the government programmes to spread awareness in organic farming also contribute to market growth.

The presence of numerous natural resources like leonardite and lignite deposits in the region makes the region an important source of raw materials in the production of humic acid. The fast growth of urbanisation and rising investments in farm technology also play a role in fuelling the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific. Further, the region is enjoying a high population base, which necessitates increased food production and another increase in humic acid requirements. The Asia Pacific and the presence of a number of local manufacturers, as well as supplies, make it a dominant humic acid market player due to economic availability.

What does the competitive landscape of the Humic Acid market look like?

Valagro, Humintech GmbH, Borregaard, and American Humate Corporation are among the leading companies in this market's fiercely competitive industry structure. These businesses are extensively engaged in innovation and product line development as the need to produce food sustainably and offer soil health products increases.

The last few years have seen the formation of strategic partnerships with leading drug delivery companies to develop improved bioavailability and efficacy of humic acid formulations, as well as more widespread investment in R&D. An example is that Valagro has been actively expanding its global presence by engaging emerging market partners to strengthen it, whereas Borregaard has been practising the aspect of enhanced production technologies to enhance the purity of its products.

There is also a growth in smaller independent firms such as Humic Growth Solutions and Black Earth Humic with specialised and region-specific products as the market continues to lean towards regional solutions in their agricultural input. The competitive dynamics are also changing as firms are laying focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions to keep them at an advantage.

Humic Acid Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Which recent mergers, acquisitions, or product launches are shaping the Humic Acid industry?

• In January 2025, Enlightify Inc. announced a share repurchase program. The company authorized the buyback of up to 2 million shares at a maximum price of $3 per share and planned to complete the program by the end of 2025. Enlightify manufactured and sold humic acid-based compound fertilizers through its subsidiaries.

Report Coverage:

By Source

• Leonardite
• Peat
• Biochar & pyrolytic residues
• Manure-derived humics
• Sapropel
• Vermicompost
• Others

By Functionality

• Soil conditioner
• Chelation & micronutrient availability
• Root growth promoter
• Carbon sequestration
• CEC enhancer
• Water retention
• Fertilizer efficiency
• Others

By Processing Method

• Alkali extraction
• Acid precipitation
• Oxidative extraction
• Enzymatic processing

By Physical Form

• Liquid
• Powder
• Flake
• Suspension concentrates
• Water-soluble crystals

By Grade

• Technical grade
• Agricultural grade
• Organic-certified inputs
• Feed additive grade
• Industrial grade

By End User

• Commercial farms
• Smallholder farmers
• Greenhouse growers & nurseries
• Fertilizer manufacturers
• Turf managers
• Aquaculture & livestock operators
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Valagro
• Humintech GmbH
• American Humate Corporation
• Humic Growth Solutions, Inc.
• IHP Humic Substances
• Black Earth Humic
• Borregaard
• Palouse Brand Products
• Qingdao Huatian Humic Acid Technology Co., Ltd.
• Mavi Humic Acid
• Xian Soil-Bio Engineering Co., Ltd.
• Milea Group
• Earth Alive Clean Technologies Inc.
• Kalyani Group
• Shanghai Humic Acid Industry Co., Ltd.

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