Summary:
The China herbicides market in March-April 2025 saw mixed trends: glufosinate/glyphosate prices fell 16–20% due to oversupply, while niche products like dimethenamid-P rose. Tighter environmental policies banned retail sales of toxic pesticides, driving green tech adoption. Lier Chemical expanded bio-method glufosinate-P capacity, and BASF/Syngenta launched new products. US tariffs hit exports, shifting focus to Southeast Asia. Short-term prices remained weak for major products, with long-term growth driven by bio-synthesis and efficient formulations.
I. Price Trends: Glufosinate/Glyphosate Under Pressure, Niche Herbicides See Uptick
Table1：China Herbicide Product Prices & Market Trends（Time：March-April, 2025 Data source form CCM）
|
Product Name
|
Price (10k CNY/ton)
|
YoY Change
|
MoM Change
|
Market Dynamics
|
Inventory/Capacity Status
|
Cost & Process Impact
|
|
Glufosinate-ammonium TC
|
4.7
|
-16%
|
-0.6%
|
Intense competition in domestic formulations; export orders grow but domestic procurement remains cautious
|
Inventory turnover ↓23%
|
Bioprocess reduces cost by 30%; gross margin compressed to 15-18%
|
|
L-Glufosinate (100% basis)
|
7.2
|
-17%
|
-1.4%
|
Downstream wait-and-see sentiment; high-cost-performance products dominate
|
Capacity release from technical upgrades
|
Cost pressure from intermediate supply fluctuations
|
|
Glyphosate TC
|
2.35
|
-20%
|
Flat
|
Persistent overcapacity; inventory +120k tons YoY
|
Operating rate 75%
|
Low yellow phosphorus prices (24.3k-24.7k CNY/ton)
|
|
Pendimethalin TC
|
4.5
|
+8%
|
+4.7%
|
Peak formulation stocking; tight supply (Xinjiang cotton demand surges)
|
Raw material inventory at yearly low
|
Xylene price ↓15% (6,200 CNY/ton)
|
|
Tembotrione TC
|
30
|
+20%
|
+7.1%
|
Intermediate export orders booked until Q3; domestic corn field demand rises
|
Tight supply; exports >60%
|
Intermediate synthesis process constraints
|
|
Cyhalofop-butyl TC
|
11
|
+3%
|
+2.8%
|
Upstream cost pressure (fluorochemical price hikes); low inventory
|
—
|
Environmental process upgrades raise production costs
|
|
Clethodim TC
|
8.2-8.5
|
—
|
+5.6%
|
Export orders support; domestic seasonal demand starts
|
Operating rate 70%
|
Bromine prices continue rising (+12% MoM)
|
|
Diquat Technical Material
|
1.8
|
+5.9%
|
+6.5%
|
Bromine cost-driven price hikes; domestic rigid demand stocking
|
—
|
Bromine prices hit 32k CNY/ton
|
Table 2: China Herbicide Market Key Supply-Demand Conflicts & Outlook
|
Product
|
Core Contradiction
|
Short-Term Forecast (1-2 Months)
|
Risk Warning
|
|
Glufosinate
|
Weak domestic demand vs. export growth
|
Price range 45k-50k CNY/ton; stabilization possible
|
Overseas generic competition (e.g., U.S. market)
|
|
Glyphosate
|
High inventory pressures vs. new capacity (e.g., Yangnong Chemical)
|
Price may drop to 22k CNY/ton; industry consolidation
|
Slow adoption of genetically modified crops
|
|
Pendimethalin
|
Xinjiang cotton demand surge vs. processing capacity shortage
|
Price may exceed 48k CNY/ton; monitor xylene supply
|
Counterfeit products disrupt market
|
|
Tembotrione
|
High reliance on intermediate exports vs. domestic corn season demand
|
Price center may rise to 320k-350k CNY/ton
|
Environmental policy tightening on intermediates
|
II. Regulatory Landscape: Tighter Environmental Controls & Enforcement in China’s Herbicide Sector
"Green Sword for Grain Security" Action by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Focus: Crack down on counterfeit and shoddy pesticides, illegal use of banned and restricted drugs, strictly investigate unlicensed production, brand infringement and other behaviors, and strengthen seed and seedling quarantine.
Upgraded Control of Highly Toxic Pesticides
Aluminum Phosphide & Chloropicrin: Retail sales have been prohibited since March 1, and production enterprises directly supply grain storage enterprises and professional pest control organizations.
Scientific Medication Guidelines
National Agro-Technology Center: Released technical solutions to promote the combination of "high-efficiency low-toxicity agents + synergists", and require the rotation of products with different action mechanisms to avoid resistance risks.
III. Corporate Moves: Capacity Expansion & Tech Breakthroughs by Key Players Like Lier Chemical
Lier Biotech’s Glufosinate-P Capacity Release
Global First: The world's first bio-method glufosinate-P production line (annual output 20,000 tons) is operating stably; the second-phase fermentation production line is expected to be put into operation in June, quadrupling the total capacity by then.
Technical Advantages: L-glufosinate synthesis technology reduces production costs by 30%, with product activity twice that of ordinary glufosinate, exported to more than 10 countries.
Green Synthesis Technology Breakthrough
Zhejiang University Team: The green electrochemical synthesis technology of 3,6-dichloropicolinic acid was industrialized with an annual output of 1,000 tons, increasing product added value by 40%.
Intensified Competition in the Formulation Market
BASF, Syngenta and Others: Launched new patent herbicide products based on pyridine ethers, focusing on "synergy + resistance delay" characteristics to seize high-end markets.
IV. Regional Demand Dynamics: Spring Season Trends in Northern Wheat, Southern Rice & Cash
Crop Areas
Grass Family Weeds: Bromus japonicus and Aegilops cylindrica account for 84.7%, recommended agents include clodinafop-propargyl and pinoxaden, with a prevention and control period from March 25 to April 5.
Application Trend: UAV unified prevention and control coverage has increased to 40%, promoting the popularization of high-efficiency low-volume spraying technology.
Southern Rice Fields
Cyhalofop-Butyl & Penoxsulam: Demand is growing; propanil exports are reduced due to India's anti-dumping, and enterprises are shifting to Southeast Asian markets.
Cash Crop Areas
Orchards & Tea Gardens: Glufosinate is preferred (root-friendly); some regions are piloting biological herbicides (such as fungal spore preparations) to replace chemical agents.
V. Export Market Challenges: US Tariffs Impact Glyphosate/Atrazine, Southeast Asia Emerges as Key Market
Pressure on Exports to the US
34% Reciprocal Tariff: The policy has been implemented, and exports of traditional varieties such as glyphosate and atrazine are expected to decrease by 15%-20%; enterprises are accelerating the development of Brazilian and Argentine markets.
Growth in Emerging Markets
Glufosinate-P: Leveraging its high activity advantage, it has increased its market share to 25% in Southeast Asia and Africa, with March exports increasing by 12% month-on-month.
VI.Future Outlook: Short-Term Strategies & Long-Term Green Tech Dominance in China’s Herbicide Industry
Short-Term (1-2 Months)
Price Trend: Glufosinate and glyphosate prices may continue to be weak, and enterprises need to accelerate de-stocking; tight-supply varieties such as dimethenamid-P and tembotrione are prone to price increases.
Long-Term
Policy-Driven Transformation: The industry is transforming towards green and efficient development, with bio-synthesis technologies (e.g., Lier Biotech) and new patented products (e.g., pyridine ether) set to dominate.
Corporate Responses
Production End: Optimize capacity layout (e.g., Lier Biotech Jinshi Base) to reduce environmental protection costs;
Channel End: Adjust product structures according to regional demand differences (e.g., promoting grass family herbicides in the north, increasing rice field product investment in the south);
Technology End: Strengthen cooperation with research institutions to lay out resistance solutions (e.g., compound formulations, precision spraying technology).
More information can be found at CCM Herbicides China Monthly Report.
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