Herbicides China Monthly Report

In May 2026, as US‑Iran tensions showed signs of easing, market sentiment cooled and cost support for chemical products weakened, leading to broad declines in ex‑works prices of key herbicide raw materials. With the spring planting season winding down, channel inventories were actively cleared and traders accelerated sell‑offs. Downstream formulators turned cautious, resulting in thin trading, weak demand and widespread declines in herbicide technical prices.

Company dynamics

• ADAMA's revenue and net profit both increased in Q1 2026 and its revenue in North America rose 8% YoY, driven by the launch of new products including the herbicide CAZADO^™. 
• Nantong Jiangshan's herbicide sales rose 21.11% YoY in Q1 2026. 
• Xingfa Group's Q1 2026 pesticide sales surged 40% YoY.

Policy

On 14 May, MARA released the Provisions on the Administration of Pesticide Registration for Export Only, revising the rules governing export-only registrations.

Registration

On 30 April, 2026, the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals (ICAMA) publicised the fourth batch of pesticide products proposed for registration in 2026, which includes 174 herbicide products, comprising 14 TCs and 160 formulations.

Trade

From January to April 2026, China's exports of herbicide formulations grew by 17.89% in volume and 25.32% in value YoY. In April alone, export volume rose by 30.26% YoY and value by 36.46% YoY.

In this monthly report, the USD/CNY exchange rate is USD1.00=RMB6.8652 (Source: The People's Bank of China, 6 May, 2026). Unless otherwise stated, all prices include VAT. Export goods are valued at FOB prices. Paraquat is subject to a 9% VAT, while diquat, glufosinate, and glyphosate are subject to a 13% VAT. According to the policy, the VAT export rebate for glufosinate was canceled, effective from1 April, 2026.