Paraquat Prices Surge Again in 2025 Amid Strong Demand and Supply Strain
10 August 2025, China: Prices for paraquat, a widely used non-selective herbicide, have seen another sharp increase in 2025 as Chinese agrochemical manufacturer Nanjing Red Sun Co., Ltd. (Red Sun) announced a second price hike for its 42% technical concentrate (TK) formulation. The company, one of the key global producers of paraquat, attributed the latest adjustment to surging demand and continued pressure on supply chains.
In its price notice issued on 30 July 2025, Red Sun confirmed that the price of 42% paraquat TK has been raised to RMB 15,000 per metric ton. The price increase also applies to corresponding formulations, which are expected to be adjusted proportionately.
This move comes just over three months after Red Sun’s earlier price revision in April 2025, when the company implemented a 5% price hike on both the 42% paraquat TK and its related formulations. During the April adjustment, the company also raised the price of a key intermediate, K-acid, to RMB 225,000 per metric ton, citing rising production costs and upstream pressure.
According to Red Sun, the months following the April price change have seen exceptionally high order volumes, with delivery schedules remaining tight. The sustained demand has prompted the latest pricing update to ensure supply continuity and align with rising raw material costs and production constraints.
Implications for the Global Market
Paraquat, though banned or restricted in several countries due to its toxicity, remains an important herbicide in many developing agricultural markets, especially in Asia, South America, and parts of Africa. China continues to be a dominant supplier of paraquat and its intermediates globally.
The upward pricing trend from major producers like Red Sun could potentially:
- Impact input costs for farmers and agrochemical distributors relying on paraquat-based formulations.
- Pressure downstream formulation companies to adjust their prices.
- Influence stockpiling behavior, as buyers may attempt to secure supplies ahead of further hikes or shortages.
Global observers also point to the role of tighter environmental regulations, limited manufacturing capacity, and stricter control over hazardous chemicals in China, all of which may continue to influence production and pricing dynamics for paraquat and similar actives.
While Red Sun has not indicated whether further price increases are imminent, the company’s acknowledgment of ongoing delivery strain suggests that pricing volatility may persist through the second half of 2025.
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