China pesticides import & export grew significantly in Q1 2013

According to the data released by the Chinese General Administration of Customs, the imported and exported pesticides both increased in the first quarter of 2013. Pesticide import/export in 2012 is shown in table 1.

China imported some 8,973 tonnes of pesticides in March, with a growth of 12.2% on the same period last year; the import value showed a 47.2% jump to $ 92.5 million. Of which, import fungicides rose 48.1% to 3,526 tonnes while insecticides and herbicides showed decline of 6.4% and 10.9%, respectively.

China imported a total 22,732 tonnes of pesticides over the first quarter, a growth of 10.1% on the same period last year, import value grew 23.9% to $ 210.9 million. Among them, fungicides saw a double digit rise in exports and imports; import herbicides rise 2.2% to 9,273 tonnes and value grew 19.7% to $ 59 million; while import insecticides looks even better, the value grew 36.2% to $ 57 million.

March’s pesticide exports were up 21.1% to 112,900 tonnes on last year, as the value grew 23.7% to $ 355 million. Of which, exports were dominated by herbicides, export volume and value both showed significant growth over 30%. Export fungicides showed a rise as insecticides fell.
Total export volume amounted to some 286,700 tonnes in first quarter, up 24.2%, on the same period last year, while value rose 27.2% to $ 933 million. Herbicides accounted for 74.1% of exports. Export fungicides turned around the decline, with a 1.5% rise while export insecticide grew 5.8% to 46,200 tonnes.

Total imports and exports grew by 26.6% to $ 1,143.5 million while the trade surplus showed 28.3% growth to $ 722 million.