Public Opinion Analysis of the Pesticide Industry in 2020 and Outlook for 2021

In 2020, public attention toward the pesticide industry remained generally high, with the volume of public discourse increasing significantly compared to the previous year. A series of policy decisions and deployment measures related to pesticide management were issued one after another, sparking keen public interest in the sector’s future development. Notable progress in reducing pesticide use while enhancing efficacy, along with efforts to collect and treat pesticide‑packaging waste and strengthen pesticide supervision and administration, became key topics of coverage. Plans for controlling crop diseases and pests, as well as formulations for managing the fall armyworm, generated considerable public anticipation. Meanwhile, issues such as excessive pesticide residues and counterfeit pesticides sold online emerged as focal points of public concern.

2.1 Ongoing advancement of pesticide management work

China’s ongoing efforts to advance pesticide management have become a focal point of public attention. Measures such as “the Pesticide Management Department’s implementation of green‑channel procedures for pesticide registration and approval,” “approval of registration renewals submitted after the deadline,” “the elimination of review requirements for new‑pesticide registration trials,” “the abolition of separate approvals for testing activities conducted by pesticide R&D and manufacturing enterprises,” “the removal of the requirement for designated outlets for ten restricted‑use pesticides,” and “the inclusion of pesticide products that have caused widespread poisoning or crop damage on the re‑evaluation list” have repeatedly appeared in headlines throughout the year.

In February, the “Key Work Priorities for Pesticide Management in 2020” proposed optimizing supply-side reforms in the pesticide industry, making it a hot topic. Public opinion indicates that, in terms of management and services, the 2020 priorities build on the 2019 framework, with the focus of production‑side guidance shifting from “phasing out outdated capacity” to “eliminating a cohort of small pesticide firms with weak competitiveness.” Going forward, the primary avenue for supply‑side optimization will be mergers and reorganizations, and domestic leading pesticide companies are expected to further widen the competitive gap with smaller players—creating a scenario where the strong grow even stronger. Industry insiders note that just a decade ago, a pesticide formulation company with annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan was considered a medium‑ or large‑sized enterprise; today, the sector is trending toward consolidation, a shift that has become an inevitable trend.

In June, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued an announcement on matters related to the registration of pesticide products for export only, drawing positive public response. Public opinion holds that this policy will stimulate and bolster Chinese pesticide companies, helping to stabilize the sector’s foreign trade performance.

In 2020, in response to multifaceted risks and complex challenges—including the COVID‑19 pandemic and Sino‑U.S. trade tensions—the agrochemical industry implemented a series of measures. These included convening economic analysis meetings, high‑level forums, exchange sessions, and annual export registration conferences, all aimed at assessing the sector’s current situation and difficulties while exploring future prospects and trends—efforts that drew sustained public attention. Key topics of public discourse centered on the pandemic’s impact on the industry, the long and arduous path of innovation, the introduction of policies restricting pesticide registrations to export only, and efforts by agrochemical companies to ensure spring‑time farming operations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ announcement of an export‑only registration policy served as a reassuring signal for the industry, providing Chinese firms with opportunities to fill gaps in the international market. To sustain growth, the agrochemical sector must look to the global market, promptly expand its reach, increase export volumes, and further strengthen its competitive position internationally. Moreover, environmental‑compliance-driven capacity relocations and the ongoing shift of the agrochemical industry toward central and western regions have emerged as notable trends shaping the sector.

2.2 Significant achievements in reducing pesticide use while enhancing efficacy

In 2020, public opinion continued to express strong enthusiasm for the remarkable achievements in reducing pesticide use while enhancing efficacy. The nationwide application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides recorded negative growth for the third consecutive year; the utilization rates of fertilizers and pesticides for the three major grain crops both exceeded 40%; pesticide utilization improved by 4 percentage points compared with 2015; and the share of high‑efficiency, low‑risk pesticides surpassed 90%. These results sparked widespread acclaim. Such progress underscores the growing attention given to the practical implementation of green development principles. Scientific application of agricultural inputs not only boosts agricultural productivity but also safeguards the ecological environment and ensures the quality and safety of agricultural products. Public discourse remained focused on the pesticide supervision and random inspection activities carried out across the country throughout the year. Reports such as “118 pesticide companies designated as key inspection targets,” “Shouguang, Shandong: Regulatory inspections conducted at 48 pesticide retailers,” and “Binzhou Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Two batches of pesticides found non‑compliant in sampling” drew significant attention. Meanwhile, exemplary cases of innovative, science‑based pesticide management from various regions captured the spotlight of local media. For instance, Kunshan City in Jiangsu Province launched a credit‑evaluation system for pesticide retailers, conducting on‑site assessments and scoring their compliance with credit‑management frameworks; Guizhou Province established 30 standardized pesticide‑retail service outlets, setting a benchmark for best practices; and Anhui Province developed a pesticide‑regulation platform, enabling digital, real‑time monitoring of the entire lifecycle of pesticide production, distribution, and use.

2.3 “Protecting Crops from Pests” Initiative Draws Attention

In 2020, amid a severe situation involving major crop pests and diseases in China, the scientific use of pesticides and effective prevention and control measures became the focus of public attention. The phrase “protecting grain from pest damage” frequently appeared in media reports. In March, the State Council issued the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Crop Pests and Diseases, legally defining the responsible entities and establishing comprehensive regulations across the entire value chain, which elicited a positive response from public opinion. Most commentators agreed that specialized pest‑control services were advancing rapidly toward standardization, precision, and intelligent management, creating new opportunities for the pesticide industry. In June, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the All‑China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives jointly released the Provisional Measures for the Administration of National Disaster‑Relief Pesticide Reserves, outlining arrangements to ensure emergency supplies for addressing sudden, large‑scale outbreaks of major crop pests and diseases. Under these measures, enterprises voluntarily assume responsibility for maintaining national disaster‑relief pesticide reserves at their own risk and expense, while the central government provides financial subsidies to support this effort, helping meet annual needs for emergency pest‑control agents. These specific provisions received widespread coverage in the media. Controlling the fall armyworm was one of the key priorities in 2020’s crop‑pest management. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recommended 28 emergency‑use products targeting this pest, which drew favorable public commentary. Public opinion noted that chemical control currently remains the primary approach in China, with most recommended solutions being highly effective yet low‑toxicity chemical and biological pesticides—making them relatively environmentally friendly. As demand grows, the pesticide industry stands to benefit as well. Headlines such as “The Fall Armyworm Strikes—Pesticide‑Related Listed Companies Have Their ‘Secret Weapon’,” “Pesticide Firms Have an Obligation in This Battle to Protect Grain from the Worm,” “That Nasty Fall Armyworm Is Back Again,” and “Pesticide Stocks Are Booming” repeatedly appeared in news reports. Commentators pointed out that, once the fall armyworm emerges, rising demand for insecticides presents a prime opportunity for pesticide companies to expand sales. In 2020, a total of four fall armyworm‑control formulations received registration approval, drawing sustained public attention. Analysts observed that, as this pest is a newly invasive species in China, no domestic products had previously been approved for its control. Consequently, these newly registered formulations are expected to play a crucial role in the green management of the fall armyworm and other major pests.

2.4 The promulgation of the Measures for the Recycling and Disposal of Pesticide Packaging Waste has been widely praised.

The promulgation of the Measures for the Recycling and Disposal of Pesticide Packaging Waste (hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”) has attracted widespread attention. Public opinion notes that after numerous revisions, the document has finally been released, a development long awaited. The Measures have received broad acclaim for their provisions on scope of application, management responsibilities, and the establishment of a recycling system, with commentators asserting that they chart a clear path and set a definitive direction for China’s efforts to recycle and dispose of pesticide packaging waste, while also serving as an important model for the future refined management of agricultural waste nationwide. Furthermore, some observers believe that the issuance of these Measures will accelerate the implementation of pesticide‑packaging‑waste recycling across the country, thereby giving a significant boost to China’s rural ecological‑civilization construction. The Measures’ stipulations regarding the obligations to recycle pesticide packaging waste have drawn positive responses. As Guangming Online commented, the newly issued regulations clearly define who bears the responsibility for recycling: producers and operators are required to take charge, thus pointing the way toward resolving the predicament of pesticide‑packaging‑waste pollution. However, in the short term, establishing such a recycling system may impose a considerable burden on enterprises. Therefore, alongside clarifying corporate responsibilities and obligations, timely government support and preferential policies are essential to encourage greater participation and innovation, ultimately dismantling this hidden “ecological time bomb” posed by pesticide packaging waste. Since 2020, localities have tailored their approaches to advancing the recycling of pesticide packaging waste, achieving tangible results. Efforts to standardize the collection and treatment of such waste, along with the exploration of effective recycling models, have continued to draw public attention. Among these, the deposit‑based recycling model has emerged as a focal point of media coverage. According to public discourse, this deposit‑return system enables low‑cost recovery of pesticide packaging waste, breaking away from the traditional reliance on government subsidies to cover recycling costs and instead providing a sustained incentive mechanism that fosters the sustainable development of recycling initiatives. Simple and easy to implement, this model has already been rolled out in more than ten cities and counties across provinces including Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Henan, and Hebei.

2.5 Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Products Draw Attention

The issue of agricultural product quality and safety stemming from pesticide residues has long been a sensitive topic that has drawn intense media scrutiny and public concern in recent years, with food‑safety monitoring and sampling reports from across the country attracting widespread attention. Public discourse on pesticide residues has been extensive. Some commentators argue that people are overly anxious about such residues, with even some consumers deliberately choosing vegetables bearing insect bites in hopes of feeling more at ease. Others contend that pesticide residues in everyday life are not as alarming as commonly perceived, noting that highly toxic pesticides are now relatively rare. Still other outlets point out that, when used in accordance with regulations, pesticides are safe and manageable; after all, pesticide residue and exceeding the permissible limit for such residues are distinct concepts. Even medications taken by humans can have side effects and leave residual traces, so demanding that agricultural products be entirely free of residues after treatment may be somewhat unrealistic.

Practices across various regions to enhance pesticide‑residue testing of agricultural products have been widely praised by public opinion. Notably, a rapid pesticide‑residue detection technology developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has drawn significant attention. Media outlets including the Economic Daily, Science and Technology Daily, and Xinhuanet have reported on it, highlighting that this technology enables swift and accurate detection of pesticide residues. Public commentary has lauded the approach, noting that “source‑level oversight” can better support food‑safety regulation and more effectively safeguard consumers’ “food safety at the tip of the tongue.”

2.6 Online pesticide purchases have become a hotbed for counterfeit products.

In 2020, media reports highlighted numerous cases of the production and sale of counterfeit and substandard pesticides, with total losses amounting to tens of millions of yuan, sparking widespread public concern. High-profile incidents included Guangdong’s Weinong Agricultural Supplies case involving large-scale online sales of fake pesticides, a Zhejiang case in which a former university professor turned to manufacturing and selling counterfeit agrochemicals, and a major investigation in Taizhou, Jiangsu, triggered by a farm owner’s online purchase of pesticides that led to a sprawling counterfeit‑and‑illegal‑sale operation. Relevant law enforcement agencies rigorously prosecuted the perpetrators, earning broad public approval. Meanwhile, media continued to expose further instances of harm caused by fake pesticides, such as the incident in Pingle, Guangxi, where counterfeit products resulted in massive fruit drop across more than 2,300 mu of citrus orchards; in Kaimeng County, Inner Mongolia, where chili seedlings belonging to 43 farmers suffered phytotoxicity, leading to leaf curling and even widespread dieback; and in Pingdu City, Qingdao, Shandong, where a large potato farmer saw nearly all of his 460-plus mu of potatoes wiped out after using adulterated pesticides.

Public opinion has used a series of high-profile cases—ten major incidents of counterfeit‑and‑substandard agricultural inputs, seven major violations involving pesticides, and several typical examples of anti‑counterfeiting efforts in the agrochemical sector—to reinforce cautionary education, emphasizing that those who seek to gain at others’ expense will ultimately reap bitter consequences and meet a dismal end. Some media outlets have pointed out that online channels—including WeChat—have become hotbeds for the sale of fake and substandard pesticides, with victims scattered across the country. In response, public discourse calls for bolstering regulatory oversight of pesticide sales conducted via the internet and for establishing clear rules governing pesticide trading on online platforms. Prominent domestic agrochemical companies have issued a flurry of statements banning illegal online sales, sparking widespread public debate. Declarations denouncing practices that disrupt market order, constitute unfair competition, or infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of distribution channels have drawn extensive media attention. Media reports note that, compared with the booming e‑commerce sector, these forceful “kill‑off” announcements underscore the apprehension felt by traditional distributors. Other outlets argue that, as the trend toward e‑commerce becomes increasingly evident, such statements serve to weed out non‑compliant platforms, support the growth of legitimate e‑commerce players, and promote a healthier overall agrochemical industry.

Overall, in 2020, the volume of public discourse surrounding the pesticide industry increased significantly compared with the previous year. Information on pesticide management and incidents of pesticide misuse have attracted considerable attention. Client applications, WeChat, Weibo, and other new media platforms serve as critical channels for relevant institutions and netizens to promptly disseminate trending information and engage in public discourse. Their volume of content has grown rapidly, giving them a distinct advantage in the propagation of public opinion.

Looking ahead to 2021, public opinion in the agrochemical sector is likely to exhibit the following characteristics: In terms of dissemination channels, the influence of “WeChat, Weibo, and mobile apps” will continue to grow, while the reach of short‑video platforms and live‑streaming services will further expand. As for areas of public concern, efforts to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers will remain a focal point; the No. 1 Central Document’s call for a sustained decline in fertilizer and pesticide application sets stringent requirements for transforming rural agricultural production and lifestyles, ensuring that progress in implementation, specific regulatory measures, and resulting outcomes will continue to draw significant media and public attention. Meanwhile, issues such as the collection and treatment of pesticide‑packaging waste, findings on pesticide residues in quality‑and‑safety inspections of agricultural products, and the prevention and control of crop diseases and pests will also remain subjects of active public scrutiny.

It is recommended that relevant authorities strengthen monitoring of social media and short-video platforms, stay abreast of public concerns and emerging issues, respond promptly, clarify the facts, and publicly disclose outcomes. They should also foster constructive engagement with both traditional and new media, track trends in public opinion, and maintain a proactive stance in shaping the narrative.