As we transition from 2025 to 2026, the agricultural industry faces continual hurdles due to economic pressures, regulatory evolution, and the shifting mindset on how companies view return on investment, their product development and market strategies. The agricultural industry in 2026 will demand earlier planning, more rigorous execution, and clearer demonstration of value than ever before.
Companies that succeed will be those that integrate regulatory considerations from day one, validate their products thoroughly, and articulate economic benefits with precision. Companies will continue to require data supported product performance, technical due diligence, and market assessments to accelerate market entry. Identifying investment-ready technologies and managing early-stage risks will be critical. In an environment of uncertainty and constrained resources, strategic focus and expert guidance become not just valuable, but essential for successfully bringing agricultural innovations to market.
Outsourcing and Maximizing Resources
Economic pressures are driving structural changes in how companies approach product development. The challenging environment shows no signs of significant improvement in 2026.
“The global market for most commodities suffers from overproduction, high inventories and increasing production costs,” said Richard Shaw, Senior Technical Knowledge Manager. Because of the market challenges, agricultural companies continue to make changes internally in response.
“Many of our major clients are downsizing their product development and regulatory teams and increasingly outsourcing where possible,” says Oluwatobi (Tobi) Oni, Ph.D., MBA, Business Manager, EMEA. “Clients are also seeking more value for money through end-to-end support across the market entry cycle.”
To continue to function, despite economic decline, there are many advantages for agritech innovators and companies that outsource agricultural development services to enhance capabilities, expand capacity and elevate credibility.
The case for engagement during the early-stage gate process is clear. George Fountas, Global Director, Regulatory Affairs, recommends consultation on early-stage projects. This will help prepare companies for larger regulatory projects down the line as they will already be aligned.
Oni reinforces this, noting, “early alignment between R&D, regulatory pathways, and commercialization plans significantly reduces delays in market entry.”
Global Uncertainty Continues to Create Challenges
Beyond farm-level implications, global policy uncertainties create planning challenges throughout the supply chain.
Shaw points out, “Manufacturers, especially startups, will continue to encounter difficulties in planning as global trade policies are poorly defined or simply undefined. Producers cannot change plantings in midseason to react to changes in trade policies that will affect demand and profitability.”
This uncertainty extends to the investment community.
“Startups and smaller manufacturers are reluctant to commit to three or four years of development when the value of success is so difficult to predict,” Shaw explains. “Lenders are likewise reluctant to invest in agricultural product development when the market is so unpredictable.”
Demonstrating Value Continues to Grow More Important
With growers demanding proven ROI, the focus must shift to concrete results. Shaw emphasizes the need to focus on developing data sets that define the economic value of the product and drive grower adoption.
“Growers are becoming more data-driven and risk-averse, especially when adopting new technologies,” says Fabrizio Giolo, Product Development Manager – Brazil & Paraguay. “This shift requires companies to strengthen their product validation, trial quality, and performance consistency before market launch. Demonstrating agronomic and economic value is critical for successful commercialization.”
EMEA Opportunities Unlocking
“Opportunities in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe can be unlocked by providing regulatory development support to governments,” Oni says. “In the Middle East, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council states, there is a strong push to enhance food security through foreign investment and agri-food innovation, creating growing demand for technical due diligence services in the region.”
To help your company capitalize on these trends and more in 2026, reach out to AgriThority® for your business, market and product development needs, as well as regulatory counsel. Our international footprint, combined with our deep understanding of market and producer dynamics, helps you to leap hurdles and overcome barriers to set up your products for success.
