Pesticide Imports into the U.S. Expand Rapidly Against Large But Stagnating Domestic Output

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'U.S. Pesticide And Other Agricultural Chemicals Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the pesticide and agricultural chemical market in the U.S. amounted to $14B in 2018, waning by -3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, pesticide and agricultural chemical consumption continues to indicate a moderate reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the market value increased by 5.6% y-o-y. Pesticide and agricultural chemical consumption peaked at $16.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The Market For Pesticides And Other Agricultural Chemicals in the U.S. Is Buoyed By Domestic Products

In value terms, pesticide and agricultural chemical production stood at $14B in 2018. The U.S. market is largely supplied by domestic products, therefore the trend patterns of the consumption volumes and production volumes generally reflect each other.

Exports from the U.S.

In 2018, the exports of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals from the U.S. stood at 63K tonnes, jumping by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, pesticide and agricultural chemical exports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 17% year-to-year. In that year, pesticide and agricultural chemical exports attained their peak of 102K tonnes. From 2015 to 2018, the growth of pesticide and agricultural chemical exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pesticide and agricultural chemical exports totaled $1.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. In that year, pesticide and agricultural chemical exports reached their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Brazil (11K tonnes), Canada (9.1K tonnes) and Mexico (6.6K tonnes) were the main destinations of pesticide and agricultural chemical exports from the U.S., with a combined 41% share of total exports. The UK, South Africa, Costa Rica, India, France, Belgium, Colombia, Peru and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the UK, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($393M), Canada ($204M) and Mexico ($149M) were the largest markets for pesticide and agricultural chemical exported from the U.S. worldwide, together accounting for 52% of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, France, China, India, Colombia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Belgium and Peru, which together accounted for a further 22%.

Imports into the U.S.

Pesticide and agricultural chemical imports into the U.S. totaled 62K tonnes in 2018, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2013 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +11.2% over the last five years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Imports peaked in 2018 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, pesticide and agricultural chemical imports totaled $433M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, pesticide and agricultural chemical imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. 

The share of imports in terms of total consumption increased rapidly over the last two years and reached 6% in 2018. The largest increase refers to supplies from China and Mexico. Despite the tangible growth those figures, however, are still insignificant against the volume of domestic production.

Imports by Country

China (18K tonnes), Mexico (13K tonnes) and France (6.9K tonnes) were the main suppliers of pesticide and agricultural chemical imports to the U.S., together comprising 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by India, Israel, Germany, Italy, Chile and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 29%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Israel, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($140M) constituted the largest supplier of pesticide and agricultural chemical to the U.S., comprising 32% of total pesticide and agricultural chemical imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mexico ($55M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 9% share.

Source: IndexBox Platform