News

Global food prices edged down 0.2% in May as vegetable oil prices fell, but the FAO index stayed near its highest level since January 2023. Cereal and sugar prices rose sharply, keeping overall food costs 2.9% above a year earlier.

A possible super El Niño could damage key crops and push global food prices higher. Extreme heat, droughts and floods may disrupt supplies of rice, wheat, maize and soybeans. Food companies are expected to strengthen sourcing plans and climate-risk management.

ADNOC has raised its June sulphur OSP by $100/t to a record $860/t FOB Ruwais, signaling tighter global supply and strong fertilizer-sector demand. The move could push delivered prices into India near $1,000/t CFR and add cost pressure to phosphate fertilizer producers.

EU pesticide sales reached around 316,000 tonnes in 2024, with fungicides and bactericides remaining the largest category. Demand continues to be driven by food security needs, climate-related pest pressure, and the shift toward more efficient, sustainable crop protection solutions.

Europe is taking action to improve fertiliser availability, support farmers facing rising costs, and strengthen food security. The plan focuses on financial support, better nutrient management, domestic fertiliser production, sustainable alternatives, and stronger market preparedness.

The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a major global agrifood shock, with FAO warning that rising energy and fertilizer costs may drive food prices sharply higher within six to 12 months. Experts urge urgent action to secure alternative trade routes, avoid export restrictions, protect humanitarian food flows, and strengthen resilience before the crisis deepens.

A newly registered acaricide, Acynonapyr, brings a novel mode of action to mite management in North America. Approved in Canada on April 30, 2026, for tetranychid mite control on pome fruits such as apples and pears, Acynonapyr is the first active ingredient classified under IRAC Group 33, targeting calcium-activated potassium channels. Its unique neural target site offers growers a valuable new tool for resistance management, sustainable pest control, and improved crop protection.

EFSA’s 2024 EU pesticide residue report shows continued high compliance across food products in the EU, Iceland, and Norway. The report found that 98.8% of EU-coordinated samples and 98.2% of national monitoring samples complied with legal residue limits, while consumer health risks from dietary exposure remained low. EFSA also reported separate reinforced import control results, with 3.6% of import samples found non-compliant and blocked from the EU market.

Australia plans a A$10 billion fuel and fertilizer security initiative to strengthen supply resilience, expand strategic reserves, and reduce risks from geopolitical tensions and global supply chain disruptions.

New plans aim to support British farmers by improving supply resilience to global market shocks and supporting innovation in the fertiliser sector.

The Strait of Hormuz conflict is creating major disruption across global fertilizer supply chains, with up to 30% of globally traded fertilizer products at risk as Gulf exports face shipping delays, plant shutdowns, and rising energy costs. The report highlights that the Gulf region supplies 30–35% of global urea exports and 20–30% of ammonia exports, making any prolonged disruption a serious threat to fertilizer availability, crop yields, and food security. Fertilizer prices have already surged, with Middle East granular urea rising above USD 590 per tonne, and global fertilizer prices projected to average 15–20% higher in the first half of 2026 if the crisis continues.

U.S. corn farmers are facing growing concern over fertilizer costs and supply availability, according to new NCGA survey findings. While many growers have secured fertilizer for the 2026 crop season, worries are rising sharply for 2027 as global shipping disruptions, tighter fertilizer production, Middle East market volatility, and phosphate trade duties add pressure to supply chains. The report highlights that fertilizer affordability has worsened, with farmers now needing about 185 bushels of corn to buy one ton of urea, the highest level on record.

China’s upcoming sulfuric acid export restrictions, combined with disrupted Middle East sulfur shipments and rising raw material prices, are intensifying global supply shortages. The policy shift is expected to drive up costs across phosphate fertilizers, copper mining, titanium dioxide, and chemical sectors, accelerating the restructuring of global sulfuric acid supply chains toward diversification and localization.

FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero warned that the Strait of Hormuz crisis is causing a major shock to global commodity flows, threatening fertilizer supplies, raising energy and shipping costs, and increasing risks to food security worldwide. The disruption could drive fertilizer prices up 15–20% in early 2026, pressure farmers with higher input costs, and hit vulnerable import-dependent countries across Asia and Africa.

Pesticide technical prices jumped in April 2026 as supply shortages, rising raw material costs, and peak-season demand pushed up 37 major products, including glyphosate, abamectin, and chlorantraniliprole.

China’s pesticide active ingredient market continued its upward momentum after the Qingming Festival, with glyphosate rising to RMB 31,500 per tonne and chlorantraniliprole surging to RMB 320,000 per tonne as of April 5, 2026. Supported by tight supply, low inventories, firm seasonal demand, and strong expectations of continued shortages, the market is expected to remain highly priced and volatile in the short term.

Global pesticide imports peaked in 2022 after pandemic-era stockpiling and supply chain disruptions, then declined in 2023 and 2024 as major markets moved through destocking. In 2025, the market began to stabilize, with Latin America leading demand, China strengthening its role as the dominant global supplier, and importers shifting toward more disciplined, demand-driven purchasing.

Herbicide technical prices in China moved higher this week, with glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium, and L-glufosinate all posting gains. Firm supply-demand fundamentals and rising costs continue to support the market.

Russian fertilizer producers are unlikely to fully offset global supply tightness linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict, as capacity limits, export controls, and production disruptions constrain near-term shipments.

Egypt’s chemical and fertilizer exports surpassed USD 9.4 billion in 2025, marking a 7.4% year-on-year increase. Europe, Arab countries, and Africa remained key destinations as global demand for fertilizers and basic chemicals continues.

China will abolish VAT export tax rebates for several pesticide-related products, including glufosinate, acephate, and ethephon, starting April 1, 2026. The policy change may influence export pricing, trade flows, and procurement strategies across the global agrochemical market.

Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global fertilizer supply chains, particularly nitrogen and urea exports from the Gulf. Logistics constraints may increase fertilizer costs and food production risks, especially for import-dependent agricultural markets.

U.S. President Signs Executive Order Invoking Defense Production Act to Support Domestic Production of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate

EU Adopts Measures to Cut Farmers’ Reliance on Imported Fertilisers

Myanmar has tightened pesticide regulations, restricting high-risk ingredients, suspending some registrations, and enforcing stricter regional and rotational controls effective immediately.

Recent market research indicates that the global agricultural biologicals market is entering a period of sustained growth, with expansion expected to continue over the next decade. Forecasts suggest the market could reach approximately USD 68.36 billion by 2035.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a scientific assessment supporting proposed modifications to maximum residue levels (MRLs) for a fungicidal active substance across a wide range of agricultural crops.

Glyphosate, one of the most widely used non-selective herbicides in global agriculture, is entering a critical phase in its regulatory and legal trajectory.

The global humic and fulvic acids market is projected to exceed USD 3.8 billion by 2034, driven by rising demand for soil health improvement, sustainable agriculture practices, and enhanced nutrient efficiency in crop production.

Brazilian fertilizer imports reached a new record in 2025, with 44.96 million tonnes purchased—a 2.9% increase over 2024 volumes

The European Union is considering cutting import duties on selected fertiliser products as part of broader efforts to advance and secure approval of its long-pending trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc.

This document provides a formal verification of the European Union legislative acts and EFSA guidance documents referenced in the recent regulatory update on pesticide regulation. All references below are confirmed to be official, valid, and suitable for use in external communications, compliance briefings, and regulatory documentation.

North Africa, the third-largest cereal-producing region in Africa after West and East Africa, is expected to see a recovery in cereal output in 2025, despite having endured more than six consecutive years of drought.

On December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially implement island-wide independent customs operations.

A draft regulation proposes maximum jail term of five years and SR10 million fine for manufacturing or importing banned or counterfeit pesticides.

The French government said on Sunday it was tightening checks on several food ⁠imports in a bid to ease concerns of farmers who have been protesting at what they say is unfair competition from countries with looser regulations.

Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture releases annual report on pesticide and bio-input registrations in 2025 −− Year ends with historical record in bio-input approvals and advances in modernizing the regulatory framework