7 Chinese Agrochemical Companies to Watch in 2026
24 November 2025 China’s pesticide industry is entering what market expert David Li calls a “revolution”: regulatory reform, export-registration changes, and shifting market dynamics are restructuring the competitive landscape. In his recent China Price Index column for AgriBusiness Global, he zooms in on seven Chinese agrochemical companies that are particularly well positioned for this new era.
1. Cynda
Li calls Cynda a standout performer in 2025, noting that its net profits more than doubled in the first three quarters compared to the previous year, driven largely by soaring prices for the herbicide clethodim. He argues that, for Cynda, this isn’t just luck: “Cynda achieved a remarkable performance growth driven by the rising price of clethodim.” Still, Li warns that maintaining this momentum could be challenging once price pressures ease.
2. Lansheng
Lansheng, another clethodim supplier, is preparing to go public in China — a move Li sees as well timed. More strategically, Lansheng has a deeper pipeline, including cyantraniliprole and fluxapyroxad, giving Li confidence that it can translate short-term pricing success into long-term growth. According to Li, Lansheng’s “future product pipeline … positions the company well for sustained growth beyond the current price boost.”
3. CAC Nantong
CAC Nantong has historically relied on non-patented chemicals like 2,4-D, but Li highlights its bold step into innovation with a patented compound, cyproflanilide, targeting rice stem borer and complex fruit/vegetable pests. Li describes this as “fruitful results” from years of R&D — a potential “clear growth engine for the next five years.” He also praises the company’s stable profit base built on established generics.
4. Lier Chemical
Lier’s strength, Li argues, lies not in one blockbuster molecule but in its integrated business model: strong upstream control, partnership with a major multinational, and flexible manufacturing. He calls Lier’s strategy “correct,” pointing to its asset utilization and diversified structure as being especially suited to a more competitive global market.
5. Yangnong Chemical
For Li, Yangnong exemplifies disciplined, steady growth. Its clethodim capacity at Huludao, now in production, is a new growth driver. Meanwhile, its proactive alignment with China’s carbon-neutral ambition and strong collaboration with multinationals bolster its long-term prospects.
6. Rainbow
Li also spotlights Rainbow, one of China’s export heavyweights. Rainbow’s performance in the first three quarters of 2025 can be described as “light and agile”. Thanks to its investment in global crop protection market registrations, Rainbow’s advantage in distribution with China agrochemical sourcing has become even more prominent. Rainbow is investing heavily in pyroxasulfone, having announced a new 2,000-ton facility to deepen its portfolio and global reach. According to its own reports, Rainbow now has more than 200 active ingredients, six manufacturing bases, and registrations in over 100 countries. Li sees Rainbow’s “fast market-access platform” and broad global registration footprint as powerful differentiators — especially in a world where “export-only” registrations present new growth pathways.
7. Jiangshan (and Glyphosate Peers)
Li also highlights firms such as Jiangshan, Xingfa, and Fuhua — long-time glyphosate producers. While they benefit from cost advantages tied to phosphate resources, Li cautions that their reliance on legacy generics could limit future growth, especially if they fail to internalize production of key intermediates.
Strategic Themes & Risks
In Li’s view, the winners in this new chapter of China’s agrochemical industry share three core attributes:
- Control over upstream raw materials or intermediates — this helps manage costs and quality.
- Ability to develop or adopt patented or novel compounds, not just rely on generics.
- Global ambition, using China’s reformed export-registration policies to reach overseas markets.
Li doesn’t shy away from risks: many Chinese pesticide firms still lack deep go-to-market experience abroad — for example, in terms of customer channels or pricing discipline.
He also warns that some firms may struggle if they don’t align their strategies with the new regulatory and competitive realities. Yet, as he puts it: “the transformation of China’s pesticide market seems to have just begun … some enterprises are on the decline, while others are embarking on a new journey.”
Bottom line: According to David Li, 2026 may mark a turning point for China’s agrochemical giants — those with innovation, upstream strength, and global ambition will likely lead the way.
Read David Li’s full China Price Index.
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