China pesticides output up 19% in 2012

China’s pesticide production increased by 19.0% to record high of some 3,549,000 tonnes in 2012 which ended December 31th, representing continued consecutive double digit growth, according to the data from National Bureau of Statistics of China.

Herbicides, the largest category, were considered as the main growth driver, with production increased by 42.5% to 1,648,000 tonnes, accounting for 46.4% of total production. The growth of herbicide output is driven by higher demand for commodity herbicides such as glyphosate, 2,4-D. Insecticide production fell by 12.0% to 813,000 tonnes, making up 22.9% of total production, while fungicide production dropped 7.1% to 144,000 tonnes, accounting for only 4.1% of total production.

In December, pesticide monthly output increased by 10% to record high of some 342,000 tonnes. Among them, insecticides fell by 29.4% to 79,000 tonnes while fungicides were flat. As the largest category, herbicide boosted with an increase of 40.7% to 163,000 tonnes.

Chinese pesticide production in 2012 (000 tonnes)1
Category	December 2012	% change2	Full year 2012	% change3
Herbicides	163	+40.7	1,648	+42.5
Insecticides	79	–29.4	813	-12.0
Fungicides	14	+1.4	144	-7.1
Total	342	+19.0	3,549	+19.0
1per 100% active ingredient; 2compared with December 2011; 3compared with 2011. Source: National Bureau of Statistics