Avermectin Formulation Prices Maintain Stability Amidst Balanced Demand and Supply

Overview of Avermectin Production and Market Dynamics

Avermectin, a vital ingredient in the agricultural pesticide industry, is produced by a robust network of around 400 pesticide enterprises in China. These companies have registered over 1,300 avermectin and missible oil products. In 2009, China's production of avermectin reached approximately 1,600 tons, with nearly half of that quantity destined for export markets. Domestic consumption of the original avermectin drug exceeded 800 tons, with a third of it used for emamectin benzoate production. When considering the 1.8% concentration of avermectin, this amount could yield up to 30,000 tons of avermectin formulations, with at least 20,000 tons utilized in farmland applications.

According to industry suppliers, the demand for avermectin production is in balance with its supply. The current price of avermectin stands at 700,000 yuan per ton. Market projections suggest that in the upcoming season, prices could escalate to between 800,000 and 900,000 yuan per ton, yet the overall pricing trend remains stable.

Avermectin's Expansion into Farmland Use

Before 2007, the high cost of avermectin limited its use primarily to economic crops, with minimal application in farmland. However, by the end of 2006, avermectin was officially recommended for crop use as part of a high-toxic pesticide alternatives project. Since then, avermectin has been a key recommendation in demonstration projects for various crops, including rice, soybeans, cotton, citrus, and apples. Notably, the pesticide has shown significant activity and efficacy against the rice leaf roller, leading to its formal adoption in farmland pest control.

Diverse Applications of Avermectin

Avermectin is registered for use in China across multiple agricultural areas, targeting pests such as:

• Vegetables: Cabbage worm, diamondback moth, leafminer, root-knot nematodes
• Fruit: Citrus leafminer, rust ticks, spider mite, two-spotted spider mite, apple and peach fruit moths, pear psylla
• Cotton: Cotton bollworm, spider mites
• Rice: Prevention and control of rice leaf roller

The use of avermectin has also expanded to Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and other regions, with exports experiencing a significant increase. For instance, Thailand's annual consumption of avermectin is around 250 tons, Vietnam's is 350 tons, and other areas collectively account for approximately 200 to 250 tons. These regions are expected to drive future growth in avermectin demand.

Challenges in the Avermectin Industry

Despite its widespread use, the avermectin industry faces two notable challenges:

1. Many abamectin manufacturers focus solely on selling the original drug, with little emphasis on branding or promoting formulations.
2. Formulation companies often lack a systematic understanding of the original drug, leading to inconsistent quality in avermectin preparations and varied experiences among farmers.

Resistance Concerns and the Need for Monitoring

The quality of avermectin preparations and agricultural services can influence the rate at which pests develop resistance. Monitoring stations have observed a gradual decline in the sensitivity of the diamondback moth to avermectin, with some populations reaching moderate resistance levels. The resistance mechanisms in insects and mites are complex, often involving multiple genes with recessive inheritance, making resistance slow to develop but challenging to manage once established.

In conclusion, avermectin's role in the pesticide market remains significant, with stable prices reflecting a balanced supply and demand. However, the industry must address quality control issues and resistance management to ensure the continued efficacy of this crucial agricultural tool.

Source: China Society of Plant Protection