Argentina: Chinese glyphosate import price up

Date:01-21-2014

In December 2013, Argentine declared imports of technical glyphosate amounted to 4,514 tons at a weighted average value of US$ 6.83/kg. The price is 21.5% and 77.8% higher than the average price corresponding to December 2012 and 2011 respectively (US$ 5.62/kg and US$ 3.84/kg).

In 2013, Argentine declared glyphosate imports amounted to 65,268 tons at a value of US$ 39.1 million compared with 70,377 tons at a value of US$ 320.2 million in 2012. The drop, to a great extent, is due to the delays and restrictions implemented by the Argentine government to release import permits.

In 2008, Chinese glyphosate production increased uncontrollably after the record high prices registered because of agricultural commodities. This situation caused herbicide prices to plummet, which continued until 2011. But in 2012 –thanks to the policies implemented by the Chinese central government– values started to recover.

In 2013,Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP)has taken severe inspection measures for glyphosate manufacturing industry. The major regulatory requirements led to the elimination of smaller factories to promote greater concentration glyphosate.

In addition, the Chinese government eliminated the 13% export tax rebate policy of a chemical precursor of glyphosate (PMIDA) in order to limit the export of PMIDA and improve Chinese glyphosate market.