European crop protection sales up 10% in 2012

In 2012, the European agrochemical sales rose by 9.9% to some €9.9 billion Y-O-Y, according to the data released by the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA). The European Union (EU-28) market grew by 8.9% to €8.3 billion, while the market grew by 15.4% outside the EU.

For the European Union(EU-28)market, the main growth markets were in Romania and the UK with substantial growth also seen in Germany, Hungary and Italy. Outside the EU, the major growth market was in the Ukraine.

With EU-28 sales growing by 8.9% in 2012, the largest increase was seen in the Central zone with growth of 11.3%. The Southern zone saw a growth of 7.1% while the Northern zone saw a more modest increase of 4.7%. The Southern zone however remains the largest region in the European Union, with sales of €4.13 billion representing 49.7% of the market. The Central zone sales were €3.85 billion (46.3%) with the Northern zone being a much smaller market at €0.33 billion (4.0%).

In terms of product category, all sectors recorded the growth. The herbicides remained the largest product category, and sales rose by 9.1% to € 4,605.0 million with representing 46.7% of total sales. Sales fungicides ranked second place and grew by 10.7% to €3,576.4 million, accounting for 36.2% of total sales. Sales Insecticides were up by 10.6% to €1,365.2 million.

Agrochemical sales in Europe (€ million)
Category	2011	2012	Change%
Herbicides	4,221.6	4,605.0	9.1
Fungicides	3,232.1	3,576.4	10.7
Insecticides	1,234.8	1,365.2	10.6
Others	288.7	321.0	11.2
Total	8,977.3	9,867.5	9.9
Source: ECPA

The total volume sales recorded a 7.2% increase at 319,121 tons. Volume herbicides rose by 6.4% at 135,501 tons and contributed to 42.5% of total volumes. Volume fungicides followed at 133,256 tons, rising by 4.8% tons and accounting for 41.8% of total volumes. Insecticides increased largely by 20.5% to 15,732 tons.

Agrochemical sales in Europe (tons)
Category	2011	2012	Change%
Herbicides	127,304	135,501	6.4
Fungicides	127,113	133,256	4.8
Insecticides	13,060	15,732	20.5
Others	30,232	34,632	14.6
Total	297,709	319,121	7.2
Source: ECPA

Looking at sales by crop group, cereals formed the largest market and sales were up by 10.7% to €3,566 million with making up some 36% of total sales. Maize followed at €1,143.2 million with accounting for around 11.6% of total sales. Vine crops went up by 3.5% at €849.7 million, contributing to 8.6% of total sales.

Agrochemical sales in Europe by crop (€ million)
Category	2011	2012	Change%
Cereals	3,222.3	3,566.0	+10.7
Maize	1,003.4	1,143.2	+13.9
Pome fruit	423.2	438.1	+3.5
Potato	479.2	472.8	-1.3
Rape	761.7	818.2	+7.4
Sugarbeet	443.8	489.5	+10.3
Vine	821.1	849.7	+3.5
Other crops	1,822.6	2,090.1	+14.7
Total	8,977.3	9,867.5	+9.9
Source: ECPA

In terms of crop volume sales, cereals ranked number one and sales boosted 6% to 75,858 tons, accounting for some 23.8% of the total volume sales. Vine crops followed at 61,630 tons, slightly dropping by 1.4% and making up 19.3% of volume sales.

Agrochemical sales in Europe by crop (tons)
Category	2011	2012	Change%
Cereals	71,540	75,858	+6.0
Maize	25,097	28,937	+15.3
Pome fruit	17,024	16,920	-0.6
Potato	17,129	15,442	-9.8
Rape	10,982	11,558	+5.2
Sugarbeet	9,288	9,095	-2.1
Vine	62,515	61,630	-1.4
Other crops	84,134	99,681	+18.5
Total	297,709	319,121	+7.2
Source: ECPA

Although sales grew substantially in 2012, the long term market growth is limited. The sales in 2012 increased 9.4% - or only 2% in real terms (based on the Eurozone inflation rate) compared to sales in 2008. While nominal sales in 2012 were 24.6% higher than in 2007, the increase in real terms was 16.1% over that period.

The ECPA offers the market data from 30 countries, which were separated into four regions (including the southern, central, northern zones and other Europe zone ).The other Europe zone covered Belarus, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Turkey and Kazakhstan.

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