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U.S. consumption of fumigant and nematicide active ingredients, which amounted to 71 thousand metric tons in 2004, is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 0.1% during 2004-2009. Methyl bromide was phased out by 2005; however, critical use exemptions (CUEs) by developed countries and continued use by developing countries will lead to continued methyl bromide consumption. Replacement will occur slowly because of CUEs approved for future methyl bromide use. In general, the fumigants and nematicides market is mature and stable, with very little growth projected.
Because of environmental regulations, consumption of fumigants and nematicides in Western Europe is expected to decline at an average annual rate of 1.0% between 2004 and 2009. Consumption in 2004 amounted to 31 thousand metric tons, active ingredient.
Japanese consumption of fumigants and nematicides amounted to 20 thousand metric tons, active ingredient, in 2004. The Japanese market for fumigants and nematicides is expected to decline during 2004-2009.
The following graph shows supply/demand for fumigants and nematicides in the United States, Western Europe and Japan in 2004:
Fumigants are chemicals (volatile liquids or solids or materials already gaseous) that are distributed as gases to inhibit or kill destructive organisms. They are classified according to use as commodity and space, structural or soil fumigants. Commodity and space fumigants are used to protect materials such as harvested crops and stored food products in spaces such as grain elevators, mills, warehouses, ships and railroad cars. All commodity and space fumigants are insecticidal; some are fungicidal as well. Structural fumigants are used in buildings to control infestations of termites, powder post beetles, and other structural and household pests. Soil fumigants are volatile materials applied to the soil (usually by injection) to control a wide range of soilborne plant pathogens including fungi, insects and weeds, but primarily to control plant-parasitic nematodes (microscopic roundworms that destroy plant roots).
Nematicides are applied to soils specifically to control nematodes. In addition to nematicidal soil fumigants, there are also a number of nonfumigant (or nonvolatile) nematicides. These nonfumigant materials are called contact and/or systemic nematicides, depending on their mode of action.
This report describes the current supply/demand situation for fumigants and nonfumigant nematicides in the United States, Western Europe and Japan and includes available information on producers in other world regions. The United States is both the largest supplier of and the largest market for fumigants and nematicides; thus, the emphasis of this report is on supply, demand and future prospects in the United States.
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