In recent years, data from China's pesticide registrations have clearly outlined a roadmap for the industry's evolution. By analyzing the 85 new pesticide products approved between 2020 and 2024, we can see that the entire industry is making firm strides toward a safer, more environmentally friendly, and more sustainable future. Among these, three core trends are particularly prominent, signaling profound transformations ahead for the agricultural crop protection sector.

       Trend 1: Low and Slight Toxicity Have Become the "New Normal" for Product Approval
Safety has become the primary criterion for the research, development, and registration of new pesticides. Of all new products approved in the past five years, those classified as low-toxicity and slight-toxicity collectively account for a staggering 98.9% (67.1% low-toxicity and 31.8% slight-toxicity), with only isolated cases of moderately toxic products. This overwhelming data indicates that the replacement of "high-toxicity, high-risk" pesticides is accelerating at its source. As high-efficacy, low-risk products gradually take center stage, the product structure of China's pesticide market is continuously being optimized. This lays a solid foundation for the national strategy of “reducing pesticide use and increasing efficiency.”

Trend 2: Eco-Friendly Formulations Dominate, with Technological Innovation Driving a Formulation Revolution

The shift towards environmentally friendly formulations is another irreversible trend. Among newly registered products in recent years, water-based and dust-free eco-friendly formulations, represented by Suspension Concentrates (SC), hold a dominant position, accounting for over one-third of all new formulations. Following closely are newer, more technologically advanced formulations like Oil Dispersions (OD) and Water Dispersible Granules (WDG).

Notably, the successful application of WDG in microbial pesticides showcases advancements in formulation technology, which enhance product stability and ease of use while preserving microbial activity. In stark contrast, traditional formulations like Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) are now rarely seen among new products. This trend is not only reflected in new products but has also reshaped the entire market landscape: as of early 2025, the total number of registered SC products has surpassed 11,000, making it the top pesticide formulation in China and signaling the full arrival of the era of eco-friendly formulations.

Trend 3: Biopesticides Experience Explosive Growth, but Category Development Remains Uneven

Over the past five years, the rise of biopesticides has been the industry's most dazzling highlight. Among the 85 newly registered products, 57 were biopesticides, accounting for over two-thirds (67.1%) and significantly outnumbering new chemical pesticides. Microbial pesticides are the core driver of this wave, making up nearly 65% of all new biopesticide registrations. This is driven by strong support from national policies and reflects the urgent market demand for green pest and disease control solutions.

However, beneath this flourishing landscape lies an imbalance in development. Currently, newly registered biopesticides are concentrated in the fungicide and insecticide categories. In contrast, progress in R&D and registration has been relatively slow for herbicides—a category with higher technical barriers—particularly for microbial herbicides. Meanwhile, a positive signal is the increasing number of non-enterprise R&D institutions, such as domestic universities, appearing as registration holders, indicating that the sources of innovation for new pesticides in China are becoming more diversified.

Conclusion

Overall, the registration path for new pesticides in China clearly points toward two main directions: "green" and "biological." The powerful rise of low-toxicity products, eco-friendly formulations, and biopesticides is not just a result of market choice but an inevitable outcome driven by the combined forces of policy guidance and technological innovation. In the future, as these high-efficacy, low-risk products play a larger role in agricultural production, China's sustainable agricultural development will be backed by even stronger technological support.