Rains Spark Pesticide Sales; Prices Stable In Local Mkts

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Mumbai, July 6: : The timely arrival of monsoon this year has drastically raised the sales of pesticides during May-June this year. However, despite the higher sales of pesticides, the prices are said to have remained stable in the local market, primarily because of intense competition.

Last year, given the severe drought situation, the overall offtake of pesticides was very low and in some cases manufacturers had to resort to distress sales. Not so this year. The overall sales of pesticides since May this year, traders say, has jumped almost 50 per cent to Rs 900 crore from Rs 600 crore last year. This is said to be the highest since the past two years. A top source from Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) said, “Dealers across the western, eastern and southern regions have indicated good offtake of the pesticides. This may be attributed to the timely arrival of rainfalls and marginally higher than expected rains, which has forced the farmers to purchase the pesticides.” Hence the better offtake of pesticides during the last couple of days.

Speaking to FE, Syngenta Crop Protection Chemicals executive director PK Mazumdar said: “The demand of crop protection chemicals this season has increased. However, the prices are stable as there is sufficient supply of the pesticides in the market.”

Last year, few local companies had to sell their pesticides at distress prices, as the demand was too low because of the severe drought. During this season the manufacturers are in no mood to hike the prices as the demand and supply are at par, he said.

The overall marketing pattern seems to have changed more so because of the competition keeping prices stable this year. Pesticides makers feel that timely arrival of rains and higher seeds offtake during the last two month, has created good hopes for excellent kharif and rabi crops this year.

While the prices this year have remained stable, there are certain pesticides that have seen prices crawl up. These are Butachlor Rs 160 per kg marginally up from Rs 155-158 last year; Pritilachlor is Rs 350, up from 310-320; And Mancozeb Rs 180 (up marginally from last year’s Rs 170). Under normal rain conditions, farmers require to spray pesticides to protect crops. Spraying of pesticides is usually done one-two times in the monsoon season. Among others pesticides, chlorpyrifos, cyoermethrin (10%), monocrotophos (36%), endosulpfan (35%), triazophos (40%), metasystox, dimethaote etc are used by the Indian farmers.