clethodim production stiuation in China
China is one of the world’s largest producers of clethodim, supplying both domestic demand and a significant share of global exports. As of the end of 2024, the country’s nameplate capacity stood at roughly 46,000 t/a, but after the abrupt shutdown of the 8,000 t/a plant operated by Ningxia Yifan Bio-tech in January 2025, effective capacity dropped to about 38,000 t/a (≈ –20 %). The three leading producers—Shandong Sinda, Ningxia Yifan and Hebei Lansheng—together control > 60 % of national capacity, so the loss of any one line quickly tightens the market.
Production snapshot
• Major producers (2024-25)
• Shandong Sinda Agrochemical – ≈11,000 t/a; 2024 output 11,661 t, 2025-Q1 2,977 t
• Ningxia Yifan Bio-tech – 8,000 t/a line idled since Jan-2025 (accident + environmental review)
• Hebei Lansheng Bio-tech – ≈7,000 t/a
• Jiangsu Yangnong (Liaoning Youchuang) – 5,000 t/a trial line starting up
• Meibang, Zhongnong Union, Yingtai, etc. – each 1-3 kt, mainly formulation-grade
• Regional footprint
Shandong, Hebei, Liaoning and Ningxia host > 80 % of the capacity; 18 valid production permits were on file by April 2025.
• Operating rate & supply gap
With Yifan still down, average monthly supply has fallen to ≈2,750 t versus demand of ≈4,000 t, leaving a 25-30 % shortfall that has pushed the ex-works price from ¥76,000/t in Jan-25 to ¥140,000–150,000/t by mid-year (≈ US $19-21/kg).
• Export orientation
Roughly 60 % of output is exported, mainly to Brazil, Argentina and the United States; South-American buying season (May-Oct) plus a 10 % rise in global soybean area and China’s expanding transgenic-soy seed market are keeping orders strong.
• Feed-stock & EHS pressure
Key intermediates (propionyl chloride, ethyl mercaptan, fluorophenol) are either hazardous or import-dependent; tighter safety and wastewater rules are preventing quick restart of idled small lines, so new capacity additions are limited and technical upgrades (continuous chlorination, solvent recycling) have become the main route for expansion.
In short, China’s clethodim sector is highly concentrated, currently supply-tight, and price-inflated because of an unexpected outage at the number-two producer. Unless idled lines restart or Yangnong’s new plant ramps up faster than expected, the global market will remain short through at least Q4-2025, sustaining both Chinese export volumes and elevated prices.
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