German consumer agrochemical market up
Date:06-18-2008
The German market for garden pesticides (including fertilisers containing herbicides) was worth Euros70 million ($108.5 million) at the retail trade level in 2007, up by 20.7% on the previous year, according to the country's agrochemical industry association, the IVA. Sales of household pesticides increased by 10.3% to Euros75 million ($119 million).
In volume terms, sales of garden pesticides increased by 8.3% to 365 tonnes. This was a recovery after a 22% decline in 2006 on the previous year.
A wet summer in 2007 resulted in strong weed and moss growth. Herbicide use rose by 12.3% to 128 tonnes, as did applications of iron sulfates to combat moss, which increased by 8.3% to 104 tonnes.
A mild winter resulting in a proliferation of aphids and sucking pests led to a spurt of 26.4% in insecticide use to 67 tonnes.
Fungicide use declined by 24.2% to 25 tonnes, even though the humid summer led to fungal diseases in cabbage and brown rot (Ralstonia solanacearum) in tomatoes and potatoes.
Molluscicide demand increased by 5.7% to 37 tonnes due to the humid summer resulting in flourishing snail populations.
German garden pesticide market by category (tonnes)
Category 2006 % change 2007
Herbicides1 114 +12.3 128
Iron sulfates 96 + 8.3 104
Insecticides 53 +26.4 67
Fungicides 33 -24.2 25
Molluscicides 35 + 5.7 37
Rodenticides 6 -33.3 4
Total 337 + 8.3 365
1 includes fertilisers containing herbicides. Source: IVA.
In the household sector, which includes products for terraces and balconies, reduced infestation of ants, flies and mosquitoes led to a 10.3% reduction in pesticide use to 35 tonnes. The sector has been on the decline since a high of 64 tonnes in 2005.
German home pesticide market by category (tonnes)
Category 2006 % change 2007
Pest control 22 -9.1 20
Ants 3 - 3
Plant 3 -33.3 2
protection
Rodenticides 11 -9.1 10
Total 39 -10.3 35
Source: IVA.
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