In terms of export volume, sharp YoY
declines were seen in China’s export volumes of both diquat TK and diquat
formulation in October, 2019. According to China Customs and CCM, China
exported 51,449 kg of diquat in October, 2019, down by 81.26% YoY. The export
volume of diquat formulation was 11,169 kg, down by 78.05% YoY; the export
volume of diquat TK was 40,280 kg, down by 81.99% YoY.
In terms of price, China’s export price of
diquat also decreased in October, 2019, especially that of diquat formulation.
According to China Customs and CCM, the average export price of diquat in October,
2019 was USD 4.24/kg, down by 12.91% YoY. The average export price of diquat
formulation was USD 3.16/kg, down by 34.20% YoY; the average export price of
diquat TK was USD 4.53/kg, down by 7.04% YoY. (The diquat formulation product
mentioned here refers to 200g/l(Cation) diquat AS; the diquat TK product
mentioned here refers to 40% diquat TK.)
In terms of export destinations, China’s
diquat products were only exported to 5 destinations in 2019, namely Croatia,
Israel, Nicaragua, the UK and South Africa. The UK and Nicaragua imported
diquat formulation from China with respective amounts of 4,520 kg and 6,649 kg.
Croatia, Israel and South Africa imported diquat TK from China with respective
amounts of 24,000 kg, 14,280 kg and 2,000 kg.
In terms of exporters, only 4 companies
exported diquat in October, 2019 including Shangyu Yongnong Chemical Co., Ltd.,
Nanjing Zhengyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., Pilarquim Shanghai Co., Ltd. and Nanjing
Red Sun Co., Ltd. Among them, Nanjing Zhengyuan, Pilarquim Shanghai and Nanjing
Red Sun exported diquat formulation while Shangyu Yongnong exported diquat TK
in October, 2019.
Diquat potentially to replace paraquat
as widespread pesticide
Diquat is the third most prevalent
pesticide in the world, followed by glyphosate and paraquat. Diquat is mainly
used to kill broadleaf weeds, especially those which are malignant. Diquat is
effective against broadleaf weeds, and weeds do not become resistant when
diquat is applied to them.
With paraquat becoming increasingly
prohibited both in Chinese market and international market, diquat, a pyridine
derivative herbicide, is quickly becoming one of the most suitable substitutes
for paraquat in the markets, and diquat has a great opportunity to increase its
market presence.
Compared to glyphosate and glufosinate,
which are also considered as potential substitutes for paraquat, diquat is not
only effective against a wide range of weed species, but also highly effective
in crop rotation and crop transplantation. Diquat also causes weeds to wither
and shrivel quickly. Additionally, unlike glufosinate, which is ineffective in
low temperatures, diquat can be applied in almost any temperature.
China’s diquat industry sees growth and
innovation
In terms of the market and the use of
glyphosate, glufosinate and diquat, the practical cost of these three
pesticides is gradually decreasing. The decrease in practical cost of these
three pesticides is related to an increased familiarity with the products and
their efficient use, cost of the materials, and the volume of production.
Currently, the main companies producing diquat include Syngenta, Red Sun,
Lubachem, and Lier-chemical.
Syngenta officially registered a
concentrated version of diquat in 2007, as well as a diluted aqueous diquat
solution with 200g of concentrate per liter. Since then, other Chinese chemical
companies have also officially registered their products. In July 10, 2018, 129
diquat products were registered in China. The number of registered diquat
products increased remarkably in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, 36 certificates for
pesticide registration of diquat products including 4 concentrated compounds
and 32 diluted aqueous products were issued to companies in China.
For more information on China’s herbicide
market, please check our Herbicides
China News.