Price Divergence in Chinese Herbicide Market: Glufosinate Drops RMB 4,100/ton as Glyphosate Jumps RMB 4,000/ton

A significant price divergence is occurring in China’s herbicide market, with glufosinate and glyphosate moving in sharply opposite directions.

While glyphosate prices have surged, refined glufosinate (especially the 20% concentration) has undergone a substantial price drop. Through collective purchasing organized by distributors nationwide, major manufacturers have been pressured to lower their ex-factory prices twice within just one month.

📉 Sharp Decline in Refined Glufosinate

The price of 20% refined glufosinate has plummeted from RMB 20,000/ton to RMB 15,900/ton—a drop of RMB 4,100/ton.
These prices are offered directly by major manufacturers, with a minimum order of just 5 units eligible for group purchase. Early buyers among distributors have reportedly suffered significant losses.

Current pricing for 20% refined glufosinate (major manufacturers):

• 5-kg package: RMB 15,900/ton (delivered)

• 1-kg package: RMB 16,800/ton (delivered)

• 100-gram package: RMB 21,500/ton (delivered)

Smaller manufacturers generally offer prices approximately RMB 1,000/ton lower.

🔁 Other Glufosinate Formulations Also at Low Levels

• 10% glufosinate has stabilized at floor-level prices:

  • 5-kg package: RMB 8,500–8,900/ton (delivered)

  • 1-kg package: ~RMB 9,500/ton (delivered)

  • Small manufacturers offer prices ~RMB 500/ton lower.

• 200 g/L glufosinate:

  • Major manufacturers’ ex-factory price for 5-kg package: RMB 8,500–9,000/ton (delivered)

📈 Glyphosate Prices Surge

In contrast, glyphosate technical has seen a sharp price increase.
In early May, the price of 95% glyphosate technical stood at RMB 23,500/ton, but it has now risen to RMB 27,500/ton—an increase of RMB 4,000/ton.

Formulated glyphosate products have also followed this upward trend:

• 75.7% glyphosate granules (50-gram bag): increased by RMB 0.10/bag

• 33% glyphosate ammonium salt AS: up by RMB 1,500–2,000/ton

• 41% glyphosate ammonium salt AS: up by over RMB 2,000/ton

Market participants are advised to consider stocking glyphosate products while lower-priced supplies are still available locally.