China Insecticide - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The rising pest pressure, increasing crop losses, and the need for effective pest control methods are driving the demand for insecticides

• The Chinese insecticide market is experiencing growth across various application methods. These diverse application techniques offer a wide range of options to effectively control insect pests and ensure crop protection.
• The foliar application method dominates the insecticide market in China. This segment is projected to register a CAGR of 5.8% in terms of value from 2023 to 2029. The rapid adoption of modern agricultural practices, such as mechanization, enhanced crop varieties, and advanced farming techniques, has been a key driver of this growth. As farmers adopt these advancements, they are increasingly realizing the role of effective pest control in optimizing crop yields. This recognition has further fueled the demand for insecticides, specifically through foliar application, as an essential part of pest management strategies in China.
• Between 2023 and 2029, the insecticide seed treatment market in commercial crops is projected to grow by USD 4.5 million. Large-scale commercial growers in China are adopting seed treatment as standard practice. By adopting this method, they are recognizing the advantages of protecting their investments in highly valuable crops.
• Soil treatment is one of the fastest-growing segments in the insecticide market in China, which is expected to register a CAGR of 5.2% in terms of value during the forecast period. Farmers in the country are increasingly incorporating this method into their pest management strategies due to its effectiveness in long-term pest control, prevention of soil-borne diseases, and enhancement of overall crop health and productivity. Therefore, the Chinese insecticide market is forecast to register a CAGR of 5.7% in terms of value during 2023-2029.

China Insecticide Market Trends

Zero growth in pesticide usage and IPM strategies have contributed to a significant reduction in the per hectare insecticide consumption

• The consumption of insecticides in China per hectare decreased by 13.1% from 2017 to 2022, attributed to several factors. In recent years, China has implemented several government policies aimed at reducing the usage of insecticides, banning harmful insecticidal products, and achieving zero growth in chemical pesticide consumption. These policies are part of the country's broader efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and minimize the environmental impact of agricultural practices. As a result, there has been a shift toward alternative methods of pest control, including the use of transgenic crops and plant-derived protease inhibitors.
• Transgenic crops, also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), have been developed with built-in resistance to certain pests. Introducing genes from naturally pest-resistant species into crops can help them defend themselves against specific insects without the need for chemical insecticides. This approach has gained traction in China, where genetically modified cotton, maize, and other crops have been successfully cultivated.
• In addition to transgenic crops, China has been exploring the use of plant-derived protease inhibitors as a natural alternative to synthetic insecticides. Protease inhibitors are substances that inhibit the activity of proteases, which are enzymes involved in various physiological processes of insects. Incorporating these inhibitors into crops can aim to disrupt the digestive systems of insect pests, rendering them less harmful to plants.
• The implementation of the above-mentioned government policies and the rising adoption of alternative pest control methods have contributed to a reduction in the usage of insecticides per hectare in China.

Active ingredient prices are majorly influenced by factors like weather conditions, disease outbreaks, energy prices, and labor costs in the country

• The amount of farmland hit by crop pests in China has quadrupled in the past 50 years, mainly due to climate change. The most prevalent pests in China are lepidoptera, the order that includes moths and butterflies (and fall armyworms), which accounted for more than a third of the affected cropland. This was followed by homoptera, which includes aphids, cicadas, and leafhoppers.
• Cypermethrin is the most widely used pyrethroid pesticide to control many pests, such as fruit flies, borers, and mealy bugs in vegetables and fruits in China. It was valued at a price of USD 20.9 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Malathion is used to control a wide range of pests, including aphids, fleas, and other sucking pests on a number of valuable crops. Five crops that are extensively grown in China that use malathion frequently are cherry tomato, broccoli, mulberry, cranberry, and fig. It was valued at a price of USD 12.4 thousand per metric ton in 2022. Low toxicity is one of malathion's largest advantages, as China is dedicated to developing low-toxic and highly efficient pesticides to reduce potential environmental risks. Such factors will further influence the price of malathion in China.
• Imidacloprid is a typical neonicotinoid insecticide, priced at USD 17.0 thousand per metric ton in 2022. Imidacloprid is mainly used in the control of planthoppers and aphids on crops like rice, wheat, vegetables, and cotton. Rice is the largest consumer of imidacloprid, and wheat ranks second among crops cultivated in China.
• The active ingredient prices are majorly influenced by factors like weather conditions, disease outbreaks, energy prices, and labor costs in the country.

China Insecticide Industry Overview

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