Más allá de los aranceles: Las principales tendencias que surgen de SACA 2026
18 de junio de 2026 Nearly 2,000 professionals from across the agrochemical and specialty chemical value chain gathered in Savannah for the 2026 Specialty & Agro Chemicals America (SACA) trade show and conference, where industry leaders discussed the market forces shaping the future of crop protection and specialty chemicals in North America.
The event operated at full exhibition capacity, featuring 250 exhibitors and attracting more than 1,900 attendees and exhibit staff representing manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, logistics providers, and service companies from across the industry.
The conference sessions covered global trade uncertainty, regulatory developments, supply chain resilience, and the long-term outlook for chemical markets.
SACA Organizer Tom Leahy noted that the attendee base reflected both the show’s deep industry roots and its continued growth. While many participants had attended since the event’s early years in Wilmington, NC, nearly half of the registrants were either first-time attendees or professionals returning after several years away.
Global Trade and Tariff Impacts Remained Top of Mind
Among the show’s sessions were two presentations from Jim DeLisi, Jefe de Fanwood Chemical, who examined how trade policies and market conditions are reshaping chemical supply chains.
In his presentation, “Around the World Chemical Industry Outlook: Impact of U.S. Tariffs & Global Trade Trends for Specialty Chemicals,” DeLisi discussed thethe far-reaching implications of recent U.S. tariff actions and court rulings. He noted that approximately $170 billion in tariffs could be refunded to importers, potentially with 7% interest, while new Section 301 investigations targeting overcapacity and forced labor concerns across dozens of countries could create additional trade uncertainty in the months ahead.
During his second session, “Agrochemical Supply Chain Outlook: Regulatory, Tariff & Pricing Trends, Overview of the ‘Big Ten’ & Future of AgChem in North America,” DeLisi pointed to a wave of major crop protection active ingredients coming off patent, including clorantraniliprol, cyantraniliprole, and sulfoxaflor, a trend expected to increase competition and reshape sourcing strategies. He also highlighted ongoing trade actions affecting the agrochemical market, including the 2,4-D dumping case, where some imported products face combined duties exceeding 150%.
Demographic Trends Highlight Long-Term Market Shifts
Dr. Kevin Swift, Managing Director of Swift Economics LLC, encouraged attendees to look beyond short-term market fluctuations and consider the demographic forces shaping future demand.
During his presentation, “Demographics as Destiny: Long-Term Implications for U.S. Specialty & Fine Chemical Market Segments,” Swift examined how population growth patterns, workforce demographics, and economic shifts are likely to influence specialty and fine chemical markets over the coming decades Swift highlighted that future chemical demand growth will increasingly be driven by shifts in consumption patterns rather than overall population expansion.
Supplier Qualification and Manufacturing Partnerships Under the Microscope
Contract and toll manufacturing relationships were another important topic during the conference.
Franklin J. Fisher, Ph. D., President at SC CHEM, presented “Inside Chemical Supplier Vetting: What Smart Buyers of Contract & Toll Manufacturing Look For and What They Often Miss,” offering attendees insight into the supplier evaluation process and the factors that increasingly influence purchasing decisions.
The session highlighted the importance of operational reliability, technical capabilities, regulatory compliance, and risk management as companies evaluate manufacturing partners in an increasingly complex business environment.
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