China agchem export value grew 18% in Q1 2014

In March, China’s pesticide import grew 8.9% to 9,800 tons in volume y-o-y, while import value decreased 12.3% to $ 81 million, according to the data released by the Chinese General Administration of Customs. Pesticide export in the month grew 10.7% at 125,000 tons, and value steadily grew 22.0% to $ 433 million.

For the first quarter in 2014, the country imported 26,800 tons of pesticide in total, with import value rising 4.9% to $ 221 million. Pesticide export growth in this quarter significantly surpassed the same period last year, with 11% and 17.5% higher in volume and value terms, reaching 318,000 tons and $1,096 million respectively.

Import specifics

Category	Jan-Mar		%Change
	volume（000 tons）	value（$M）	volume	value
Insecticide	3.1	45	+19.4	-20.6
Fungicide	8.6	91	+15	+16.8
Herbicide	10.8	65	+16.4	+11.3
Total	26.8	221	+17.9	+4.9

From Jan to Mar, both the import volume and value of fungicide and herbicide realized double digit increase. Fungicide import volume grew 15% to 8,600 tons and value grew 16.8% to $ 91 million, while herbicide import boosted 16.4% and 11.3% in volume and value terms to 10,800 tons and $ 65 million respectively. Insecticide import value went down by 20.6% to $ 45 million, while volume increased to 3,100 tons.

Export specifics

Category	Jan-Mar		%Change
	volume（000 tons）	value（$M）	volume		value
Insecticide	51.0	209	+10.4		+12.6
Fungicide	19.0	100	+1.8		+2.5
Herbicide	238.0	767	+11.5		+21.5
Total	318.1	1,096	+11		+17.5

From Jan to Mar, herbicide export substantially increased by 11.5% and 21.5% in volume and value terms. Insecticide exported 51,000 tons with value at $ 209 million. Fungicide export slightly grew in volume and value terms with 1.8% and 2.6% increase.