Feature of Post-Patent Pesticides: Abamectin and emamectin benzoate demonstrate strong market performance in 2024, fueled by multiple factors for continued growth potential

In recent years, China's pesticide industry has made significant progress in the R&D and production of off-patent pesticides, establishing a complete industrial chain and continuously consolidating its advantages. Despite the generally low prices in 2024, the industry still showed resilience, with some products such as chlorothalonil, abamectin, and emamectin benzoate even experiencing price increases and performing well in the market. In some varieties, China's pesticide industry has shifted from being a "follower" to a "leader." For example, with technological and cost advantages, China has brought chlorantraniliprole from the high-priced "pedestal" to the mainstream.

This special report, published in the latest 2025 China Pesticide Industry Watch magazine, selects several off-patent pesticides with industrial and technological advantages for in-depth analysis. It provides global buyers with insights into product trends and development directions in China's pesticide market to assist industry decision-making.

Featured Article to be released in succession:

• Chlorothalonil Price Surge – Global Market Dynamics Amid China’s Capacity Control

• Abamectin and emamectin benzoate demonstrate strong market performance in 2024, fueled by multiple factors for continued growth potential

• Navigating patent expiration and market transformation: Chlorantraniliprole as a case study in technological advancements by Chinese agrochemical companies

Abamectin and emamectin benzoate hold significant positions in the pesticide industry, particularly within the insecticide segment. 

As a derivative of abamectin, emamectin benzoate not only retains but also enhances the outstanding properties of its predecessor, resulting in significant advancements in the precision and effectiveness of pest control. Currently, these two compounds are used together to combat a variety of pests affecting crops such as cotton, rice, vegetables, and citrus, leveraging their distinct mechanisms of action for targeted control. With their exceptional attributes of broad-spectrum effectiveness, low toxicity, and high efficiency, they have become the preferred choice for pest management.

Prices Remain Strong with a Continuous Upward Trend

Looking back at 2024, the market experienced a downward trend throughout the year, characterized by cost inversions for bulk varieties and ongoing price declines. By the end of December 2024, the technical material price index was recorded at 72.92 points, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 9.07%. Out of more than a hundred varieties, 65% experienced price drops, with some seeing reductions exceeding 30%.

Against the backdrop of overall poor market performance, abamectin and emamectin benzoate emerged as exceptions, maintaining stable prices that demonstrated a consistent upward trend. Specifically, the cost of abamectin technical powder rose by RMB 115,000 per ton, and that of emamectin benzoate technical by RMB 125,000 per ton (Figure 1). This trend not only underscores the product advantages of abamectin and emamectin benzoate but also indicates a recovery in specific segments of the pesticide market after a period of decline.

Figure 1. Price trends of abamectin and emamectin benzoate in 2024

According to observations from AgroPages, the recovery of abamectin and emamectin benzoate was not achieved ″overnight.″ Public data shows that at the beginning of 2024, both products had fallen to record lows, with abamectin dropping to RMB350,000 per ton and emamectin benzoate falling to RMB490,000 per ton, marking historical lowest prices (Figure 2). The market selling prices were even below production costs, forcing many companies to shut down some or all of their production lines, which further affected the market performance of these products. However, as the year progressed, several favorable factors began to emerge. Insufficient operating rates, the onset of the traditional application season, and the ongoing ″de-stocking″ process helped boost domestic demand. Additionally, international orders continued to rise. These combined factors gradually strengthened market demand for abamectin and emamectin benzoate, leading to a price rebound and the start of a continuous upward trend. As of February 2025, the current price for abamectin is RMB 480,000 per ton, and that for emamectin benzoate is RMB650,000 per ton.

Figure 2. Price trends of abamectin and emamectin benzoate from 2022 to 2024

If price adjustments represent a rational mechanism for market recovery, then the ongoing price increases are undoubtedly backed by the products' inherent strengths.

In recent years, the rise in pest resistance has significantly diminished the effectiveness of traditional insecticides. Abamectin and emamectin benzoate, characterized by their low toxicity and minimal residual impact, are considered environmentally safe for non-target organisms, which aligns with the sustainability goals of modern agriculture. Consequently, there has been a growing market demand for these pesticides. Additionally, since the domestic production of chlorantraniliprole, its market trajectory has become apparent. While its significant price drop has somewhat affected the market, it also has highlighted resistance issues. In comparison to traditional insecticides, both abamectin and emamectin benzoate exhibit excellent compatibility, creating a synergistic effect when used in conjunction with chlorantraniliprole. This combination not only enhances performance but also optimizes costs, offering a complementary alternative that influences the overall market landscape to some extent.

Product Registration: Notable Growth in Demand for Combinations

According to the China Pesticide Information Network, there are currently a substantial number of valid registration certificates for abamectin and emamectin benzoate in China, totaling around 3,321 and involving numerous companies. It is noteworthy that the number of certificates for technical grades has remained stable since 2018. Recent inquiry reveals that the increase in registration certificates for abamectin and emamectin benzoate in recent years primarily pertains to formulated products, especially combination formulations.

The China Pesticide Information Network reports that there are 1,758 combination formulations containing abamectin or emamectin benzoate. Among these, combinations with chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole have emerged as the leading products for managing rice leaf folders and stem borers in rice cultivation. 

Additionally, abamectin is a widely utilized acaricide in citrus farming, with 294 insecticide/acaricide products formulated alongside compounds such as etoxazole, spirodiclofen, propargite, pyridaben, spirotetramat, cyflumetofen, and fluazinam for controlling citrus red mites. Moreover, over the past two years, new combinations of abamectin and fluopyram have been registered for nematode control, and abamectin is now being combined with new patented pesticides targeting root-knot nematodes in tomato and cucumber crops.

China is the Sole Producer of Abamectin and Emamectin Benzoate in the World.

Currently, China is the sole producer of abamectin and emamectin benzoate in the world, catering to global processing and application needs. Over ten manufacturers of abamectin and emamectin benzoate exist, including Ningxia Taiyicin, Qilu Pharmaceutical, Xingbai, and Limin Group (Table 1).

Table 1. Abamectin and emamectin benzoate production capacity in China

An analysis by AgroPages regarding the global export landscape for abamectin and emamectin benzoate technicals reveals that China maintains a dominant position in the international market for these compounds. In 2024, the total global import volume of both substances experienced significant growth, particularly with a remarkable increase in the import volume of emamectin benzoate technical compared to 2023.

Market feedback indicates that since 2023, there has been a favorable trend in the global destocking of abamectin and emamectin benzoate. Both international orders and export volumes have been steadily rising, reflecting a sustained increase in market demand for these two technicals.

Leading Companies Consistently Investing in Innovation to Achieve Breakthroughs and Maintain Their Leading Position.

The production process for abamectin and emamectin benzoate technicals requires exceptionally high standards, especially during the fermentation stage, where precise control of critical parameters is essential. Any mismanagement can result in instability and susceptibility to degradation of the technicals, ultimately compromising product quality. Furthermore, some companies face challenges with purification technology and synthesis methods, which hinder their ability to enhance the overall quality of their products.

In recent years, several companies have achieved significant breakthroughs in the production technology of abamectin and emamectin benzoate.

Ningxia Taiyicin has been a prominent player in the fermentation industry for over 30 years. Through years of research and process innovation, the company has mastered the essential technologies required for the production of non-degradable abamectin and emamectin benzoate. Taiyicin has established itself as a leading enterprise with a comprehensive industrial chain for these products, ensuring consistent quality and remarkable production capacity. In terms of process innovation, Taiyicin has developed a unique 3K technology that focuses on optimizing sugar levels, time, and metabolic processes. This technology effectively addresses the industry’s challenge of abamectin and emamectin benzoate’s susceptibility to degradation, achieving significant advancements in the sustainable development of these two products.

Qilu Pharmaceutical is a leading domestic producer of abamectin and emamectin benzoate. The company has significantly enhanced production efficiency and product quality through the application of advanced fermentation technology and full-process fermentation control measures. Qilu Pharmaceutical is committed to continuous technological upgrades and is capable of producing high-purity abamectin and emamectin benzoate technicals with superior α-values. For instance, the B1a content in their abamectin products exceeds 90%, which translates to at least a 10% increase in efficacy at the exact dosage. The core emamectin benzoate product, emamectin benzoate 5% ME, utilizes innovative nano-formulation technology, ensuring it remains clear when mixed with water and facilitating faster penetration and significantly enhanced efficacy.

Limin Group Co., Ltd. is one of the pioneering companies in China dedicated to the industrial development of abamectin and the first domestic enterprise to achieve large-scale production of emamectin benzoate. Its subsidiary, Veyong, employs advanced breeding and mutation techniques to optimize and select high-yield, stable strains. Additionally, it utilizes a full-process fermentation control technology to produce high-activity, visually appealing technical-grade abamectin, which is subsequently used to manufacture high-quality emamectin benzoate characterized by excellent purity and stability, making it suitable for a variety of formulations. Limin Group Co., Ltd. also plays a significant role in drafting national standards for abamectin and emamectin benzoate and is recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs as an authorized manufacturer of reference standards. The company benefits from extensive ICAMA resources and a global registration network.

Future Outlook

Abamectin and emamectin benzoate, as bulk products in the pesticide industry, have undergone a transformative shift in China from a fragmented market with numerous players to an oligopoly. This transition has significantly increased the industry concentration and facilitated industrial upgrading, further strengthening the market position of leading companies. By consistently investing in technological innovation, these top enterprises have enhanced both the quality and stability of abamectin and emamectin benzoate while also lowering production costs. Furthermore, they have proactively expanded into new application areas and market space, steering the industry towards more advanced and environmentally friendly development.

In 2024, despite facing challenges like certain products failing quality inspections in the abamectin and emamectin benzoate sector, companies such as Taiyicin, driven by strong market demand, continued to produce high-quality products by leveraging core production advantages such as non-degradable product technology and maintain a significant share of the market. Product prices have been steadily increasing, and the market outlook remains optimistic. Overall, due to their outstanding properties and the ongoing growth in market demand, the prices of abamectin and emamectin benzoate are anticipated to keep rising.

Looking ahead, with continuous technological advancements and gradual improvements in industry regulations, abamectin, and emamectin benzoate are poised to play an increasingly vital role in enhancing agricultural production and fostering the sustainable development of the pesticide industry. The sector is anticipated to evolve more healthily and stably, offering strong support for the green and efficient development of global agriculture.

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Mickey Shan | AGROPAGES

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