Market Trends of south america herbicide Industry
Argentina dominated South America in the consumption of herbicides due to the favorable soil conditions for weed infestation
- Weeds are unwanted and undesirable plants that interfere with the utilization of land and water resources and thus adversely affect crop yields. Yield losses in crops due to weeds depend on several factors, such as weed emergence time, type of weeds, and crop type. Weeds can result in 100% yield loss if left uncontrolled. Herbicides are chemicals used to manipulate or control undesirable weeds. Herbicides are effective and operative tools to control weeds, allowing yields to be achieved efficiently with less energy than mechanical practices.
- Argentina dominated South America in consumption of herbicides at a rate of 7.4 kg/ha in 2022. Argentina has diverse soil types, ranging from fertile soils in the Pampas region to sandy and loamy soils in the arid areas. Different weed species are adapted to specific soil conditions, allowing them to thrive and spread in different areas of the country. Fleabane, pigweed, johnsongrass, fingergrass, goosegrass, barnyard grass, and ryegrass are considered the most important weeds.
- Brazil has the second-highest herbicide consumption rate of 5.3 kg/ha in 2022. Brazil has a predominantly tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year in most regions. High temperatures provide favorable conditions for weed growth, as they accelerate the germination, growth, and reproduction of many weed species. Commelina benghalensis, Conyza spp., Cyperus spp., Bidens pilosa, and Sorghum halepense are some of the major weed species found in Brazil.
- South America has vast areas of arable land, particularly in countries like Brazil and Argentina, which drives the demand for herbicides. The clearing of land for cultivating large-scale crops contributes to the need for effective weed control, thereby increasing the demand for herbicides.
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effectiveness in controlling various herbicides and dependency on imports from other countries may raise the price of Atrazine herbicides in the region.
- Atrazine is a herbicide belonging to the chemical class of triazines and is widely used to control broadleaf and grassy weeds in various crops. The price of atrazine in South America was USD 13.81 thousand in 2022. Atrazine's mode of action as a herbicide involves inhibiting the photosynthesis process in plants. It specifically targets the photosystem II (PSII) protein complex in chloroplasts, disrupting the plants' ability to convert light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis. This leads to the accumulation of toxic byproducts and, ultimately, the death of the targeted weeds.
- Paraquat is a widely used herbicide belonging to the chemical class of bipyridylium compounds. It primarily controls various broadleaf and grassy weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural settings. Due to its rapid action and non-selective nature, paraquat is commonly used as a pre-plant or pre-emergence herbicide to control weeds before crops emerge. It is effective in a wide range of crops, including cotton, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and various other crops. Paraquat was priced at USD 4.6 thousand in South America in 2022.
- Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide belonging to the chemical class of organophosphonates. It is a non-selective systemic herbicide, meaning it can effectively control a broad range of weeds in various crops. The price of glyphosate in South America was USD 1.1 thousand in 2022. Glyphosate's effectiveness, broad-spectrum activity, and relatively low cost have made it a popular choice for weed control for farmers in the region. However, its use has been controversial due to concerns about potential health and environmental impacts.
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