Industry statistics
Industry statistics 2001 - 2010
2010 Summary
Market value continues decrease in 2010
The value of sales in the European crop protection sector decreased by 1.7% (3.3% in real terms) in 2010, with nominal sales in the EU-15 decreasing by 3.8% (5.3% in real terms). The decrease in the market in France (-10.8%) and the UK (-5.7%) contributed to the overall decrease as did more substantial decrease in smaller markets such as Slovakia (-13.5%) and Belgium (-8.4%). The decrease in sales were partly balanced by growth in other markets, in particular Spain (+4.7%), Greece (+7.3%) and Romania (+24.1%).
The decrease in the value of the European market was due to the drop in the sales of herbicides (-2.8%) and fungicides (-2.5%), compared to 2008. Insecticides sales however bucked the trend and increased by 2.9%.
Over the last decade, while the sales of the crop protection products have increased slightly in nominal terms, the real value of sales have decreased. Comparing the average sales values in the period 2002-2004, nominal sales in the EU-15 were 6.4% higher in 2010. However, in real terms, this equates to a decrease of 7.3%.
Number employed in the sector increases slightly
The number of people employed by the sector increased 2.5% to over 26,000 people in 2010.
Of the people employed in the crop protection sector over 11,000 are involved in production and logistics, over 6,500 in sales & marketing and nearly 5,500 in technical support, including the research and development of the crop protection products in use.
2009 Summary
Market value decreases in 2009
The value of sales in the European crop protection sector decreased by 3.0% (3.3% in real terms) in 2009, with nominal sales in the EU-15 decreasing by 2.3% (2.7% in real terms). The decrease in the market in Germany (-8.4%) and Spain (-7.4%) contributed to the overall decrease as did more substantial decrease in smaller markets such as Sweden ((-25.3%) and Denmark (-23.8%). The major decrease in sales in these markets were partly balanced by growth in other markets, in particular Italy (+9.5%), Portugal (+20.4%) and UK (+8.9%).
The decrease in the value of the European market was mainly due to the drop in the sales of herbicides which were down 5.7% compared to 2008. Fungicide sales also fell by 1.8% while sales of insecticides bucked the trend and increased by 4.3%.
Over the last five years, the crop protection market has been flat. Comparing the average sales values in the period 2002-2004, while nominal sales in the EU-15 have increased by 10.6%, in real terms, sales have decreased by 2.0% over this period.
Volume also decreased
The volume of products used in 2009 fell at a much faster rate than the decrease in sales value. The total decrease in volume in the European market was 12.8% - or nearly 43,000 tonnes. The percentage decrease in volume in the EU-15 was slightly higher at 13.5%. The major decrease was seen for fungicides (-25.8%) with a decrease of 10% for herbicides. Volume of fungicides sold however increased substantially by 33.1%.
The trend in 2009 is very much in line with the trend over the last few years. While EU-15 sales in real terms have fallen by 2% compared to the period 2002-2004, the volume of active substances sold has decreased by 26% over the same period with this decrease being seen in each of the sectors: fungicides (-35.7%), herbicides (-23.4%) and insecticides (13.5%).
Number employed in the sector continues a downward trend
The number of people employed by the sector decreased again in 2009, falling by more than 1 000 people to around 25,000 people.
Of the people employed in the crop protection sector over 10,922 (42.7%) are involved in production and logistics, 6,326 (24.7%) in sales & marketing and 5,275 (20.6%) in technical support, including the research and development of the crop protection products in use.
Comments on 2009 ECPA statistical review
Belgium (Phytophar):
The data gives the volume of active ingredient sold in Belgium. This volume cannot be considered as the volume actually used, as certain amount of this volume is still exported (no exact data are available). Volume sold - Export = Volume Used. It is estimated that in 2008 exports totalled 12,6% of total sales.
Ireland (APHA):
There has been a substantial increases in figures for Ireland over the past 2 years. The reasons are:
- In 2008 the Association managed to include some new member companies and some non members in the survey.
- In 2009 they had approximately 98% of the agricultural PPP market in Ireland. Including APHA members and non members and also generics and parallel importing companies.
Portugal (ANIPLA):
While data for active ingredients is calculated in most cases, the information for Portugal is for commercial quantities. To calculate the European totals an a.i. content is estimated: 60% for herbicides, 30% for fungicides and insecticides and 50% for others.
Romania (AIPROM):
The 2008 data for volume of AI’s has been amended down from 6,846 to 3,442. This is due to the fact that some data was initially provided and based on volume of the product and not the volume of active ingredients.
Statistic term definitions
Agrochemical Market:
- Agricultural and Horticultural use and Industry and Amenity use.
- Excludes Home and Garden use.
Value:
- Net sales from the manufacturer after rebates, discounts, etc.
- Product returns are deducted from net sales.
- Sales to other members of National Associations are excluded.
Active Ingredients:
- Excluding volume of formulants. For example: if product 'A' has a concentration of 50% AI then the volume reported is 0.5 kilos.
Insecticides:
- Include Acaricides and Nematicides.
Others:
- Molluscicides, Repellents, Plant Growth Regulators, Sterilants/Fumigants, Rodenticides, Adjuvants.
Number of Employees:
- Actual number employed 31 December.
- Part-time workers are counted at 0.5 employees.
- Includes all employed in the country irrespective of geographical responsibility (therefore includes international staff based in each country).
- Temporary and seasonal staff are excluded.
