China is a major producer of agricultural chemicals, writes Phil Franz-Warkentin at The Western Producer. Disruptions to production would have a ripple effect on North American supplies of crop protection inputs, such as herbicides and insecticides. Plant closures and transportation issues due to the COVID-19 coronavirus are being followed closely, but the Canadian industry is reportedly well supplied heading into the 2020 growing season.
“A lot of product is usually committed well into a year or two in advance,” said Mitch Rezansoff, executive director of the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers in Winnipeg.
In many cases the active chemical ingredient of a pesticide is produced overseas and then the end product is formulated in North America. Formulation takes place in late fall and into the spring.