Biological products for environmental friendly plant production in China

Purpose and goal

The project goal was to prepare a base for a decision for launching or not launching AMASE, CEDRESS or THERMOSEED on the Chinese market for plant production. The products are environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. We consider the project goal as fulfilled. We decided not to proceed at this stage. We will continue our collaboration and continuously follow the development on the Chinese market to find a point where we decide to proceed from the point where we stopped in this specific project.

Results and expected effects

China uses more pesticides than any other country in the world but has only seven percent of the world´s arable land. More than a thousand active ingredients classified as fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators are registered. Pesticide use in China is totally different from other countries; the majority of the farmers only have a small piece of land, the pesticide market is based on small local retailers and has a low level of integration and organization. Large efforts in marketing, distribution and logistics is needed. Therefore we postpone further market activities.

Approach and implementation

As project members two Chinese companies originating from Europe where chosen. Also included in the project was CBC at SLU, Sweden. Initially was a project plan written and sent to the project members for comments. The different topics were then divided between participants. Results were reported to the project leader continuously. Meetings were held twice in Sweden and otherwise by phone or Skype. BioAgri visited China once for additional contacts with Chinese companies and scientists. A common decision was taken based on the outcome of the project.