India Pesticide Registration Dynamics in Q2 2024: How do multinationals set the market layout of innovative and generic products?

Editor’s note: In India, the registration and approval of pesticides are key to safe and sustainable agricultural development. In the second quarter of 2024, the Indian Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) held its 455th, 456th, and 457th meetings, during which a total of 206 technical registrations and 59 formulation registrations were approved, injecting new vitality into the market. During this quarter, a number of registrations were granted to multinationals, including Syngenta, Bayer, BASF, and UPL, which are not only an enrichment of the product line on the Indian pesticide market but also represent new development trends of the Indian pesticide market.

Registration Overview: 206 technicals + 59 formulations

• A total of 206 technical registrations were granted in this quarter involving 95 active molecules.

In terms of the number/proportion of technical registrations, imidacloprid topped the registration in this quarter, with a percentage of 4.37% (9 registrations), as being filed by five registrants, including UPL (5), SML, Meenakshi Agro Chemicals, Rotam Crop Protection and Safex Chemicals India, followed by cartap hydrochloride with a percentage of 3.4% 

(seven registrations) which seven enterprises filed; registrations of halosulfuron-methyl, metalaxyl-M, butachlor, glyphosate and chlorantraniliprole accounted for 2.91% each (six registrations).

The specific data show that generic products are still dominating the market. Imidacloprid topped the list with 4.37% (nine registrations), followed by cartop hydrochloride (3.4%), halosulfuron-methyl (2.91%), and metalaxyl-M (2.91%). Most of these products are generic pesticides, revealing the domination of mature and cost-effective products in the Indian pesticide market.

• A total of 59 formulation registrations were granted in this quarter involving 62 active molecules.

In terms of the number/proportion of formulations registered, chlorantraniliprole topped the registration in the quarter with 10% (10 registrations), as filed by UPL, FMC India, Adama India, Seedlings India, Syngenta India, and Tagros Chemicals India. Other popular ingredients include mancozeb, pyraclostrobin, spinosad, emamectin benzoate, novaluron, and fipronil. The registration of these preparations not only enriches the product line on the market but also provides farmers with more prevention and control options.

As shown by the specific data, registration of mixtures is an apparent emerging trend. For example, Syngenta’s registration of mixtures included multi-ingredient mixtures like sedaxane 3.7%+fludioxonil 4.63% FS, sedaxane 2.2%+fludioxonil 2.2%+thiamethoxam 22.8% FS. Through the combination of ingredients of different mechanisms of action, these products not only improve the control efficiency but also provide a new solution to resistance management. The combination trend is a reflection of the general direction of pesticide development toward the concept of integrated control. 

India Market Strategies of Multinationals

The registrations of the above-mentioned multinationals indicate the following features:       

Introduction of innovative pesticides. In this quarter, Bayer registered two innovative technicals (indaziflam 89% and triamine 93%) for the first time in India.

Indaziflam is the latest developed triazine herbicide, which has been applied in the United States, Canada, and Brazil, demonstrating a particularly satisfactory effect of control of glyphosate-resistant weeds when applied in combination with other herbicides; triamine is the second sulfonamide herbicide following pyrimisulfan, developed and used to rice, which is so far not registered yet in the United States, the European Union, Canada, and Australia. This registration reflects the demand for innovative herbicides in the Indian market as well as the market strategy of multinationals to set the layout of innovative products worldwide. 

Concentrated registration of SDHI fungicides. During the quarter, a number of SDHI fungicides, such as sedaxane, panflute isopyrazam, and fluxapyroxad, were granted registrations, which are all held by original manufacturers, reflecting the critical position of SDHI fungicides in the global market as well as the patent protection strategy of the original manufacturers for the essential products. As a novel broad-spectrum fungicide, SDHI fungicide has the advantages of unique mechanism of action, broad fungicidal spectrum, and good systemicity. The concentrated registration in the Indian market indicates a possible booming of SDHI products in the Indian pesticide market in the near future.

UPL’s diversified registrations. As a leading global generic pesticide company, UPL’s registration strategy in the Indian market is characterized by product diversification and localization. The company has registered a number of active ingredients, including fenhexamid and glyphosate, as well as a wide range of formulations covering fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. It is worth noting that fenhexamid, as a generic product, showed up for the first time as a registered product in India, which was developed by Bayer in 1989, being a novel systemic and protective amide fungicide, commercialized in 1998 for prevention and control of gray mold, sclerotinia, and black spot. Fenhexamid has reportedly shown specific activity against some resistant pathogenic strains. 

Summary

The development of the Indian pesticide market is at a critical juncture. While fulfilling conventional needs, the market is embracing innovation. This kind of balance not only reflects the current status of Indian agriculture but also predicts the direction of future market development. For global agrochemical companies, a deep understanding and adaptation to these market dynamics are the key to success in India and other emerging markets. 

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