Asia Pacific Crop Protection Chemicals - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Dominance of insecticides and herbicides in the Asia-Pacific market due to a rise in pest and weed attacks

• Agriculture in Asia-Pacific is diverse and plays a significant role in the economies of many countries. The region has a wide range of climates, from tropical to temperate, and is known for the cultivation of rice, soybeans, wheat, and various fruits and vegetables. In 2022, Asia-Pacific occupied a share of 16.3% by value of the global crop protection chemicals market.
• The use of pesticides in order to achieve better yields is encouraged by the increasing demand for food crops due to population growth in the region. At the same time, technological advancements have changed the way farming is done, and new technologies in pest control are benefiting crops and farmers a great deal.
• Insecticides occupied the highest share of 39.2% in the Asia-Pacific crop protection chemicals market. Rice is the major crop cultivated across many regional countries. However, it is also susceptible to various pests, which have led to severe damage to the crop and, subsequently, its yield.
• Herbicides occupied the second-largest share of 34.6% by value in 2022. Weed attacks in staple, commercial, and horticultural crops pose a significant challenge to the region's agricultural productivity. As there is a significant contribution by the fruit industry to the region's economic growth, fruit weeds cause substantial economic damage. Amaranthus retroflexus (Redroot pigweed) and Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard grass) are the most common weeds in the regional fruit industry.
• Increased concerns for food security and various market developments have facilitated the efficient and sustainable production of food by farmers while minimizing the impact of pests on their crops. This has driven the market, which is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

The market is growing due to the rising consumption of pesticides to protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds

• In 2022, Asia-Pacific held a market share of 16.2% by value of the global insecticide market. The pesticide segment in the region is of great importance and is constantly evolving. It plays a vital role in promoting productive and sustainable agricultural practices in multiple countries. During the historical period, the pesticide market in Asia-Pacific experienced consistent growth, with a CAGR of 3.2%.
• Asia-Pacific countries like China and India, along with other countries, experience increased pesticide usage due to their varied agricultural landscape, making some crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. The prevalence of intensive cropping practices and monocultures also contributes to the favorable conditions for pests to thrive. With substantial populations to sustain, ensuring food security becomes a top priority, leading to a heightened need to protect crop yields and minimize losses caused by pests, thus resulting in a greater reliance on pesticides.
• The market is also experiencing growth due to the expansion of agriculture, with the adoption of modern practices and the expansion of cultivated land. The region's agricultural land area grew from 624.5 million ha in 2019 to 662.2 million ha in 2022. As agricultural activities expand, the demand for efficient solutions to protect crops from pests is also growing.
• During the forecast period (2023-2029), Thailand is projected to exhibit the fastest growth rate in the region, with a CAGR of 6.8% by value. This rapid growth can be attributed to the anticipated increase in the usage of pesticides by farmers in the country due to the rising threat of pests and increasing crop losses.

Asia Pacific Crop Protection Chemicals Market Trends

Increasing pest proliferation is leading to higher application of pesticides

• The average consumption of crop protection chemicals in Asia-Pacific was 2.9 kg per hectare of agricultural land in 2022. Fungicides were the highest used among all chemical pesticides, with average consumption amounting to 10.6 kg per hectare. This indicates the significant threat posed on agricultural production by fungal pathogens, resulting in a higher need for fungicides. Fungus-causing rice blast in paddy has developed resistance to MBI-D fungicides, leading to a higher need for fungicidal applications.
• Fungicides are followed by herbicides, with a per hectare application rate of 10.4 kg per hectare in 2022. The increase in herbicide usage per hectare can be attributed to various factors, including an aging farming population, labor shortages, and the expansion of agricultural land. These factors have prompted a transition from manual weeding practices to the utilization of herbicides for effective weed management in significant crops like rice and soybeans. Weeds are also becoming very tough to manage as they are developing resistance to existing herbicides, leading to higher dosages of application.
• Insecticides are the third most applied among pesticides in Asia-Pacific countries, with a per hectare application rate of 8 kg in the year 2022. Global warming and climate change are posing various challenges to agricultural production, even by increasing the pest population through various mechanisms. For instance, the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), a major pest of rice, has been observed to increase in population and expand its distribution in response to rising temperatures in parts of Asia. Similarly, the usage of nematicides and molluscicides has been increasing amid growing awareness among farmers of their benefits, along with the increasing need.

Limited availability and demand for cypermethrin have increased the price of active ingredients in the Asia-Pacific market

• Cypermethrin is the dominant insecticide used in the region, being a synthetic pyrethroid effective against a wide range of insect pests such as Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hemiptera. Countries like India, China, and Vietnam primarily rely on cypermethrin for pest control in various crops. Notably, China and Vietnam are the major importers of cypermethrin. As of 2022, the price of the active ingredient had risen to USD 21,037.7 per metric ton, reflecting a notable increase of 21.1% since 2017. This surge in price can be attributed to the growing demand for cypermethrin in crops like sugarcane, cotton, fruits, and vegetables.
• Atrazine holds a prominent position as a widely utilized herbicide in the region, classified as a chlorinated herbicide of the triazine class. It serves as both a pre- and post-emergence herbicide, effectively controlling annual broadleaf weeds and grasses in crops like soybeans, maize, sugarcane, and turf grasses. The active ingredient's price has experienced consistent year-on-year growth due to its extensive application across various crops. As of the latest recording in 2022, the price stood at USD 13,817.2 per metric ton, marking a significant increase of 29.8% since 2017.
• Mancozeb is a contact fungicide known for its versatile application modes, effectively targeting a wide array of fungal diseases in cereal crops, fruits, vegetables, and pulses. The price of the active ingredient currently stands at USD 7,776.9 per metric ton, making it one of the principal fungicide active ingredients extensively utilized in the Asia-Pacific countries.
• The prices of active ingredients are experiencing annual increases due to the rise in raw material costs, import tariffs, and escalating logistics expenses.

Asia Pacific Crop Protection Chemicals Industry Overview

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