China Herbicide Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2030

China Herbicide Market Analysis

The China Herbicide Market size is estimated at 2.12 billion USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 2.81 billion USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.82% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

The Chinese herbicide industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by technological advancement and sustainable agricultural practices. Modern application techniques have revolutionized weed control, with soil treatment emerging as the dominant method, accounting for 47.2% of total applications in 2022, followed by foliar application at 31.9%. This shift reflects the industry's move toward more precise and efficient herbicide application methods that minimize environmental impact while maximizing effectiveness. The integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) imagery analysis and computer vision techniques has enabled farmers to identify weed-infested areas more accurately, leading to selective and targeted herbicide application.

Climate change has become a critical factor influencing weed control strategies in Chinese agriculture. Rising temperatures have altered weed pressure patterns, leading to the increased prevalence of certain weed species and changes in their growth cycles. Farmers have responded by adopting more sophisticated weed control approaches, including the integration of biological controls and crop rotation practices. The agricultural sector has witnessed an expansion in cultivated area to 189.3 million hectares in 2022, necessitating more efficient and sustainable weed management solutions to maintain productivity across larger farming areas.

The industry has witnessed significant advancement in application technologies, particularly in chemigation systems that combine irrigation with herbicide application. This method has gained traction, especially in the grains and cereals sector, where it accounts for 52.3% of chemigation applications, owing to the widespread adoption of micro-irrigation systems. The integration of smart farming technologies has enabled more precise application timing and dosage control, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Farmers are increasingly adopting these advanced systems to optimize resource utilization and enhance weed control effectiveness.

The market is experiencing a notable shift toward sustainable weed management practices, driven by increasing environmental awareness and regulatory requirements. Per capita annual pulse consumption has reached approximately 1.7 kilograms, reflecting a growing trend toward sustainable agriculture and crop diversification. This has led to the development of more targeted herbicide formulations and application methods that minimize environmental impact while maintaining efficacy. The industry has seen increased investment in research and development of environmentally friendly herbicide solutions, including the integration of biological controls and precision application technologies that reduce overall chemical usage while maintaining effective weed control.

China Herbicide Market Trends

Adoption of alternative methods like crop rotation and technical advancements in herbicide application-controlled herbicide application contributes to lower consumption per hectare

• The usage of herbicides in China has reduced significantly due to several key factors. Some factors contributing to this are the growing recognition and adoption of crop rotation and biological controls as essential tools for effective weed management in various sectors, such as agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.
• Crop rotation is a practice where different crops are grown in a specific sequence on the same land over time. This helps break the lifecycle of weeds, as different crops have different growth patterns and nutritional needs. By alternating crops, Chinese farmers have disrupted weed growth cycles, reduced weed populations, and minimized the need for higher use of herbicides.
• Chinese farmers skillfully employ biocontrol agents to effectively manage weeds in a wide array of crops, thereby leading to a notable decrease in the usage of herbicides. The implementation of these biocontrol agents is highly beneficial, resulting in reduced reliance on herbicide applications throughout various agricultural practices.
• Chinese farmers use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) imagery analysis and computer vision techniques to enhance weed management practices. By employing this approach, they identify weed-infested rows and selectively apply herbicides accurately, leaving non-weed-infested rows untouched. This innovative method effectively minimizes the wastage of herbicides by avoiding unnecessary applications and reducing overall herbicide consumption per hectare.
• Farmers adopt genetically modified organism (GMO) crops to minimize additional investment requirements, resulting in a significant reduction in herbicide consumption per hectare.

China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of glyphosate

• Weeds are a major constraint to crop production, which is crucial for food security in China. Over 500 invasive weeds are an increasing threat to agricultural production and ecosystems in China. Atrazine, paraquat, and glyphosate are commonly used herbicides in China.
• Atrazine is an herbicide widely used to control various broadleaved weeds and grasses. China consumes more than 16,000 ton (97% technical) of atrazine annually. Atrazine is mainly used to control annual weeds in corn or sugarcane fields. China is one of the major suppliers of atrazine worldwide. It was priced at USD 13.7 thousand per metric ton in 2022.
• Paraquat is the active ingredient of gramoxone, which controls weeds and grasses. It is also used for desiccating crops, like cotton, before harvest. Paraquat was valued at USD 4.6 thousand per metric ton in 2022. China is a major paraquat export country, and over 80% of its paraquat output is exported to countries worldwide.
• Glyphosate is an organophosphorus broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It was priced at USD 1.1 thousand per metric ton in 2022. Glyphosate is mainly used to control weeds like grasses, sedges, and broadleaves. China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of glyphosate in the world. The output of glyphosate in China increased from 316,000 ton in 2010 to about 505,000 ton in 2017. In 2017, China exported over 300,000 ton of glyphosate technical, which satisfied more than half of the global glyphosate demand.
• Factors like weather conditions, weed infestation, energy prices, and labor costs in the country majorly influence the prices of active ingredients.

Segment Analysis: Application Mode

Soil Treatment Segment in China Herbicide Market

The soil treatment segment maintains its dominant position in China's herbicide market, commanding approximately 47% market share in 2024, with a market value of USD 947.1 million. This method's widespread adoption can be attributed to its effectiveness in utilizing pre-emergent selective herbicides, which specifically target weed seeds and prevent germination even before crop sowing. The approach ensures early intervention in weed control, setting the stage for successful crop establishment and minimizing weed competition. Soil treatment has proven particularly effective in grains and cereals, which account for over 52% of its application, followed by fruits and vegetables. The method's popularity stems from its ability to provide comprehensive weed control through direct application to the soil, allowing for both pre- and post-emergence weed management. Additionally, this segment demonstrates strong growth potential, driven by its proven efficacy in controlling diverse weed species and its crucial role in establishing a weed-free environment during critical early crop development stages.

Remaining Segments in Application Mode

The herbicide application market in China encompasses several other significant methods beyond soil treatment. Foliar herbicide application represents the second-largest segment, offering precise targeting as foliar herbicides directly contact weed foliage. This method is particularly valued for its flexibility in application timing and effectiveness in post-emergence weed control. Chemigation, which involves applying herbicides through irrigation systems, has gained traction due to its efficiency in water and chemical usage, particularly in regions with advanced irrigation infrastructure. The fumigation segment, while smaller, serves a crucial niche in controlling persistent and difficult-to-manage weeds, especially in high-value crops and specialized agricultural operations. Each of these methods addresses specific agricultural needs and contributes to the overall effectiveness of weed management strategies in Chinese agriculture.

Segment Analysis: Crop Type

Grains & Cereals Segment in China Herbicide Market

The Grains & Cereals segment dominates the China herbicide market, commanding approximately 52% market share in 2024. This significant market position is primarily driven by the extensive cultivation of crops like rice, wheat, corn, millet, and barley across China's vast agricultural landscape. The segment's dominance can be attributed to the critical importance of these crops in China's food security strategy and the substantial challenges posed by weed infestations in grain cultivation. Common weeds affecting these crops include barnyard grass, wild oats, green foxtail, and various broadleaf weeds such as purslane and pigweed, necessitating consistent contact herbicide application. The widespread adoption of soil treatment methods, particularly pre-emergent selective herbicides, has further strengthened this segment's market position, as farmers seek effective solutions for early-stage weed control in grain fields.

Fruits & Vegetables Segment in China Herbicide Market

The Fruits & Vegetables segment is experiencing the most rapid growth in the China herbicide market, with a projected CAGR of approximately 6% during 2024-2029. This accelerated growth is driven by China's position as the world's largest producer of fruits and vegetables, with a per capita consumption rate that exceeds the global average by 1.5 times. The expansion of cultivation areas for fruits and vegetables, coupled with increasing demand for fresh produce, has intensified the need for effective weed management solutions. The segment's growth is further supported by the rising adoption of advanced weed control technologies and the increasing awareness among farmers about the importance of protecting high-value horticultural crops from weed competition to maintain quality and yield.

Remaining Segments in Crop Type

The other segments in the China herbicide market include Pulses & Oilseeds, Commercial Crops, and Turf & Ornamental applications. The Pulses & Oilseeds segment plays a crucial role in meeting the growing protein demands of the Chinese population, while the Commercial Crops segment covers important cash crops like cotton, tea, tobacco, and rubber. The Turf & Ornamental segment, though smaller, serves the expanding landscaping and ornamental flower industry in China. Each of these segments faces unique weed management challenges, requiring specialized residual herbicide formulations and application methods to ensure optimal crop protection and yield enhancement.

Free With This Report

Along with the report, We also offer a comprehensive and exhaustive data pack with 50+ graphs on insecticide, fungicides, and herbicides consumption per hectare and the average price of active ingredients used in insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, and molluscicides. The data pack includes Globe, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa.