US demand for fertilizer, seeds, mulch and more to increase in next five years

By 2016, the demand for packaged lawn and garden consumables will reach $8.8 billion, according to a recent study by market research group The Freedonia Group, Inc.

The study found that although the popularity of gardening will not reach the levels it has in the last decade, US demand for lawn and garden consumables will increase 3.3 percent annually.

The study found that pesticides and fertilizers will be the biggest sellers. As the housing market improves and new lawns and gardens are planted, the demand for fertilizers will continue to increase. Although fertilizer sales were down by less than one percent in the last five years, the study projects it will rise 4.4 percent by 2016.

Pesticide market profits will be growing more slowly due to the many off patent options and growing concern over the environmental impact. However, the organic lawn and garden market will be growing.

Over the last five years, seed has seen a 2.6 percent increase in demand, growing media has seen 1.3 and mulch has seen 0.7 percent, according to The Freedonia Group. But in the next five years, the demand for those products is expected to rise 4.1 percent, 3.9 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.