Key Developments in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market for Agriculture in 2024

The Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) market for agriculture is experiencing significant growth, driven by heightened concerns around food safety, environmental regulations, and global supply chain transparency. This demand is largely influenced by the rising need for compliance with international standards, changing consumer expectations, and the increasing complexity of global agricultural markets.

1. Rise of Global Food Safety Regulations

One of the key developments in the TIC market is the increasing number of regulations related to food safety and traceability. With the growing global trade in agricultural products, many countries are tightening their standards to ensure that imported food products meet their health and safety requirements. For example, China has recently updated its food safety standards with a set of new regulations announced by the China National Health Commission and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in 2022​.

This trend is helping fuel demand for reliable TIC services that can ensure compliance at every stage of the supply chain, from farm to table.

2. Digitalization and Automation in TIC Services

Digital technologies are revolutionizing the TIC industry. The adoption of technologies such as blockchain, IoT (Internet of Things), and AI (Artificial Intelligence) is facilitating real-time monitoring and reporting, enhancing traceability, and improving transparency. These technologies enable the continuous tracking of agricultural products, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. This is especially important in the context of food safety, where consumers and regulatory bodies demand full transparency about the origin and processing of food items.

In addition, automation is improving efficiency in the testing and inspection processes. Automated systems can now detect contamination, quality issues, and other potential risks much faster and more accurately than traditional methods. This shift toward automation is driving a reduction in human error, increasing operational speed, and lowering the cost of inspections​.

3. Increasing Demand for Certifications in Emerging Markets

In regions such as Asia-Pacific, which is home to some of the largest agricultural producers and consumers, the TIC market is seeing a surge in demand. Countries like India and China, which have historically operated with less stringent regulations, are now tightening food safety rules as they engage more deeply in global trade. This regulatory shift is leading to a greater need for testing, inspection, and certification services to ensure that agricultural products meet international standards​.

Furthermore, as urbanization continues to rise in these regions, there is a growing demand for packaged and processed foods, which often require more rigorous certification to meet the safety expectations of both local and international consumers​.

4. Sustainability and Environmental Compliance

The TIC market is also responding to the increasing focus on sustainability in agriculture. Many agricultural products now need to meet environmental and sustainability certifications, particularly in the wake of rising consumer demand for environmentally friendly and ethically sourced products. Certification schemes like organic, fair trade, and carbon-neutral labels are gaining importance as consumers increasingly prefer products that align with their values. This shift is creating a significant demand for TIC services that can evaluate environmental compliance across the agriculture supply chain​.

5. Impact of COVID-19 on the TIC Market

While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains globally, it also underscored the importance of rigorous testing and certification practices to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products. The pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in food systems, and as a result, there has been an increased emphasis on food security, quality, and regulatory compliance. This has accelerated the adoption of TIC services across the agriculture sector, as stakeholders seek to safeguard public health and meet the rising standards of food safety​.

6. Key Market Players and Competitive Landscape

The TIC market is highly competitive, with several players offering a range of services in agricultural testing, inspection, and certification. Leading companies such as SGS SA, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and TÜV SÜD are investing heavily in innovation and expanding their footprints in emerging markets to capitalize on the growing demand. These companies are leveraging advanced technologies and expanding their service portfolios to cater to a more diverse set of agricultural products, from raw materials to packaged foods​.

The TIC market for agriculture is poised for continued growth as global demand for safer, more transparent, and sustainable agricultural products rises. Technological advancements in digitalization, increased regulatory pressures, and changing consumer preferences are all contributing to a robust market environment. The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, is set to drive much of this growth due to its expanding agricultural exports and regulatory advancements. As the market evolves, stakeholders in agriculture will need to adapt to new technologies and regulatory frameworks to remain competitive and ensure the integrity of the global food supply chain.