Rapid development of bio-pesticides in Asia Pacific

Although the current biopesticides in the Asia-Pacific region account for only 1% to 2% of the total pesticide market, as the region’s environmental awareness among the people continues to increase, restrictions on chemical pesticides continue to increase, and new technologies and products continue to emerge, the region The bio-pesticide market will develop rapidly. A recent research report published by Frost & Sullivan Consulting of the United States predicts that by 2017, the Asia Pacific bio-pesticides market share will increase to 4% to 5%.

Biopesticides are naturally occurring or genetically modified pharmaceuticals that do not contain any chemical constituents, and use biological organisms (fungi, bacteria, insect viruses, genetically modified organisms, natural enemies, etc.) or other metabolites to kill or inhibit agricultural pests. Because it is relatively safe for humans and animals and has little impact on the ecological environment, it is loved by environmentalists. The Asia-Pacific biological pesticides mainly include microbial pesticides, animal pesticides and plant-derived pesticides.

In 2010, the sales revenue of the Asia Pacific biopesticides market reached US$49.9 million. It is expected that from 2011 to 2017, the market will grow at an average annual rate of 4.1%, and sales revenue in 2017 will reach US$66 million.

In 2010, the sales revenue of the microbial pesticide market in the Asia-Pacific region was US$28.9 million, accounting for 58% of the total revenue of the entire biological pesticide market. Frost & Sullivan expects that the market will grow at an average annual rate of 5.1% over the next 7 years and its market share will increase to 62%.

Compared with the microbial pesticide market, the animal-sourced pesticide market and the plant-sourced pesticide market are relatively small, with sales revenues of US$7 million and US$14 million respectively.

In 2010, more than 100 multinational and local manufacturers fought hard in the Asia-Pacific bio-pesticides market and the competition was particularly fierce. Australia, which has a very high bioavailability of pesticides, has the right to speak in this market with a market share of 60.7%. Although New Zealand is a small country, 80% to 85% of its crops are exported to countries where the control of pesticide chemical residues is very strict. This boosted New Zealand’s demand for biopesticides and has the greatest potential for future growth. In 2010, the country accounted for 12.3% of the total Asia-Pacific market share; the market potential of Thailand and Indonesia is also very large, although currently due to the chemical residues of its crop export areas. The demand is not high, and its sales revenue of bio-pesticides is not high. In 2010, it accounted for 12.1% and 5.0% of the market share in the Asia-Pacific region. However, it is expected that the sales revenue of the two countries will double by 2020.

The reason why this consulting company is optimistic about the prospects of the bio-pesticides market in the Asia-Pacific region lies in the following favorable factors: First, the comprehensive measures for pest and disease control in the Asia-Pacific region, including the reduction of the use of synthetic pesticides and fungicides, and the use of biological pesticides to solve the problem. Ecological issues, the introduction of this measure will promote the rapid development of biological pesticides. Secondly, with regard to the supervision of chemical pesticides, countries in the Asia-Pacific region tend to introduce increasingly stringent regulations. The maximum residue limit of pesticides is one of them. Bio-pesticides are ideal substitutes for chemical pesticides and will undoubtedly benefit from them. Third, the import of major fruits and vegetables in Europe, the United States, and other regions has increasingly restricted the chemical content of pesticides, and many regions even require no chemical residues. This factor is conducive to promoting the development of the biological pesticide market. Fourth, in order to meet the consumers' quest for organic food and healthy living, organic food producers have established their green environmental health image through the use of bio-pesticides, thereby giving a positive boost to the bio-pesticides market. Fifth, in order to expand the export of crops, the governments of the Asia Pacific countries involved in food exports are vigorously supporting biological pesticides to improve the safety of food.

Frost & Sullivan Consulting also warned that the development of the Asian biological pesticide market also faces several challenges. The first is higher costs. At present, the cost of biological pesticides is 1.2 to 1.5 times the cost of conventional pesticides. The second is less effective than traditional pesticides. Although there is no chemical residue in biological pesticides, there are problems such as poor effect, slow effect, and difficulty in storage. Third, the product registration process is complicated. In New Zealand, biological pesticides are still regarded as products harmful to the environment and the human body. They are subject to strict monitoring by the New Zealand Environmental Risk Inspection Authority. In Australia, all biological pesticide product registration and efficacy tests are subject to the same process as conventional chemical pesticides. Regulation by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Drug Administration. Fourth, the types of biopesticide targets are too single, and the scope of application is limited.