HS Code:
The Insecticides category, classified under HS Code 3808, encompasses a wide range of chemical and biological products used to control or eliminate insect pests. These products are critical in agriculture for protecting crops, in public health for controlling disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes, and in households for pest management. Insecticides can be categorized into synthetic chemicals (e.g., organophosphates, pyrethroids), natural insecticides (e.g., neem oil), and biopesticides. The global trade of insecticides is influenced by agricultural demand, regulatory frameworks, environmental concerns, and the rise of sustainable pest control solutions.
Total Trade Volume
USD 15.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & International Trade Centre (ITC)
USD 3.8 billion
25.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.5 billion
16.4% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.9 billion
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.3 billion
8.6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.1 billion
7.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
6.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
35% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU internal trade or USMCA)
Shift towards biopesticides and eco-friendly solutions
Driven by consumer demand for sustainable agriculture and stricter regulations on synthetic chemicals, biopesticides are gaining market share, especially in Europe and North America.
2020-2022
Increased demand in developing countries
Rapid agricultural expansion and urbanization in regions like Asia and Africa are boosting demand for affordable insecticides to ensure food security and control vector-borne diseases.
2018-2022
Regulatory tightening on hazardous chemicals
Bans and restrictions on certain insecticides (e.g., neonicotinoids linked to bee population decline) are reshaping supply chains and encouraging innovation in safer alternatives.
2019-2023
The European Union extended its ban on neonicotinoid insecticides, citing environmental risks to pollinators, impacting exporters to the region.
April 2023
Exporters like China and India are pivoting towards alternative products or markets, while EU farmers face higher costs for compliant pest control solutions.
As part of Phase One trade deal, China agreed to reduce tariffs on US insecticides, boosting American exports to the Chinese agricultural sector.
January 2020 (reaffirmed in 2022)
US exporters saw a 15% increase in insecticide shipments to China, strengthening their market position in Asia.
Advancements in drone-based insecticide application and IoT-enabled pest monitoring are reducing overuse of chemicals and influencing trade patterns by favoring high-tech integrated solutions.
Mid-2022
Traditional bulk insecticide exports face competition from tech-driven, low-volume, high-efficacy products, particularly in developed markets.