Shanghai International Agrochemical Expo ACE

The 25th China International Agrochemicals and Crop Protection Exhibition (AgroChemEx) was successfully held from March 17 to 19 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Hosted by the China Pesticide Industry Association, this year’s event was themed “Green Innovation, Global Sharing,” marking a significant milestone as ACE celebrated its 25th anniversary. Concurrent with the exhibition were a series of related activities, including the China Pesticide Industry Summit Forum, the Global Agrochemical Trade Fair, and the Agrochemical Innovation Technology Exchange Meeting.

With an exhibition area of 100,000 square meters, the show brought together over 1,500 exhibiting companies, occupying all eight halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The exhibitor lineup featured international agrochemical giants such as Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva, BASF, and FMC, alongside leading domestic enterprises including Adama, Yangnong Chemical, Runfeng Shares, Guangxin Shares, Lier Chemical, Xin’an Shares, Jiangshan Shares, and Xingfa Group. Overseas buyers from more than 80 countries and regions—including Brazil, Argentina, Australia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, the United States, and Canada—attended to source products. Over the three-day event, the exhibition welcomed more than 80,000 professional visitors, among whom over 15,000 were international buyers.

To commemorate ACE’s 25th anniversary, the exhibition introduced a special thematic zone titled “25 Years Together, Co-Creating the Future”, which retraced the remarkable journey of China’s pesticide industry—from primarily imitative practices to independent innovation, and from domestic dominance to global expansion. At the opening ceremony, Sun Shubao, President of the China Pesticide Industry Association, remarked, “ACE’s 25-year history has witnessed China’s pesticide industry evolve from ‘catching up’ to ‘keeping pace,’ and now even taking the lead in certain areas. Moving forward, we will continue to drive the sector’s green transformation and high-quality development, helping Chinese pesticide companies step onto the world stage.”

One of the standout highlights of this year’s exhibition was the International Buyer–Seller Matchmaking Sessions. During the event, four specialized matchmaking sessions were held, targeting key markets such as Southeast Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa. More than 100 overseas buyers from countries including Brazil, Argentina, India, Vietnam, Russia, and Nigeria engaged in one-on-one negotiations with domestic enterprises. According to preliminary estimates, these sessions resulted in intended transaction values exceeding US$200 million. Guo Wei, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Pesticide Industry Association, stated, “ACE has become one of the most important trade platforms in the global agrochemical industry. China has maintained its position as the world’s top exporter of pesticides for many consecutive years, and ACE plays an irreplaceable bridging role in this regard.”

The Agrochemical Innovation Technology Exchange Meeting focused on cutting-edge industry developments. With the theme “New Pesticide Development and Green Manufacturing,” the meeting featured keynote speeches by Academician Song Baoan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Zheng Yongquan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Plant Protection at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and experts from the Pesticide Inspection Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Discussions centered on topics such as identifying novel pesticide targets, developing green synthesis processes, advancing biopesticide research, and enhancing pesticide efficiency through reduced application rates. The event also saw the release of the “2025 White Paper on Technological Innovation in China’s Pesticide Industry.” Experts emphasized that China’s pesticide sector is currently undergoing a critical transition from imitation to independent innovation, with biopesticides and green manufacturing poised to become major growth drivers over the next decade.

Biopesticides and Green Pest Control Zones emerged as new highlights of this year’s exhibition. These zones showcased innovative achievements by companies such as Wuhan Keno, Deqiang Bio, and Beijing Leili in areas like microbial pesticides, plant-derived pesticides, and natural enemy insects. Several enterprises presented biocontrol solutions targeting major diseases such as citrus Huanglongbing and rice blast, attracting numerous Southeast Asian and South American buyers who stopped by to discuss potential collaborations. Exhibitors generally reported that international demand for low-toxicity, highly effective, and environmentally friendly pesticide products continues to grow, making biopesticides a new engine of industry growth.

Smart Manufacturing and Digital Factory Zones displayed the latest advancements in pesticide production. Companies including Yongjia Power, Fengmao Plant Protection, and Huasheng Zhongtian exhibited intelligent plant protection drones and precision variable-rate sprayers. Meanwhile, Suzhou Jinwei and Nantong Frantec unveiled automated and digitally upgraded pesticide production lines. Many firms noted that smart manufacturing not only boosts production efficiency and product quality but also significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions, making it an essential pathway toward green transformation for pesticide manufacturers.

Exhibitors and industry participants expressed enthusiastic responses. The Global Procurement Director of Syngenta commented, “ACE is a must-attend event for us every year. It brings together China’s finest pesticide suppliers and serves as our best window into the latest developments of China’s pesticide industry.” The Chairman of Yangnong Chemical stated, “We signed annual framework agreements with multiple overseas clients at this exhibition, and ACE has become an important stepping stone for Chinese pesticide companies seeking to enter the international market.” Overall, exhibitors reported that this year’s event attracted high-quality, internationally diverse professional buyers, with many companies securing substantial orders from South American and Southeast Asian markets during the show.