Lawn & Garden Consumables (US industry forecasts for 2012 & 2017)

US demand for packaged lawn and garden consumables, which include fertilizers, pesticides, growing media, seeds, mulch, and other related products, is forecast to increase 4.5 percent per year to $9.2 billion in 2012. After several years of favorable sales, the lawn and garden industry hit a snag in 2007. Unfavorable weather patterns (e.g., a cold spring and drought-like conditions in the summer months) throughout much of the US, coupled with rising fuel and energy costs, and lowered home values, limited the amount of monetary resources consumers and professionals were willing to spend on beautifying and upgrading lawns and gardens. Many of these economic factors continue to plague the industry in 2008. Nevertheless, the graying of the baby boom generation, which is primed for the peak gardening years and residence in more affluent areas with larger yards, will hike demand going forward, especially for products used in landscaping and gardening applications.

At the same time, because of a renewed emphasis on family, the population is electing to spend more time and energy in and around their homes, as well as the homes of family members and friends -- often in outdoor living spaces such as patios and decks. Increased concerns over synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used on lawns and gardens, particularly in regard to how these chemicals affect bodies of water, and the health of people and animals, will provide opportunities for organic products.

Best opportunities are anticipated for new products that offer convenience and good performance while also meeting health and safety standards. Growth will be led by fertilizers, growing media and mulch, all of which will post above average gains over the forecast period. These three segments are benefitting from the expanding consumer trend favoring value-added products such as fast-acting and easy-to-use fertilizers, rubber mulch, colored mulch and premium soils. Across all product segments, organic formulations will experience more favorable increases over conventional formulations. Sales of organics will be spurred by substantial product improvements, a rising number of products, lower prices and more effective marketing, particularly as more leading lawn and garden consumable suppliers enter the market.

In contrast, sales will be sluggish for pesticides, which make up almost 30 percent of the market. Increasing concern over the environmental and health effects of agrochemicals will dampen pesticides' prospects. Attempts to control lawn maintenance costs, especially within the professional market, will further depress gains.

This new Freedonia industry study, Lawn & Garden Consumables, presents historical demand data plus forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by product, market, application, end-user and region of the US. The study also assesses market environment factors, evaluates market share and profiles 39 competitors in the US industry.