Hope On The Horizon: The Horizon Emerging economies, depleted grain stocks and a thirst for biodiesel will fuel demand later this year

摘要

FEW people are wildly optimistic about 2009. But some key markets, including Thailand, Indonesia and parts of Latin America, should be bright spots for agrochemicals this year. Crop protection saw a banner year in 2008, rising 25% in value, accordingto Phillips McDougall, an agrochemical tracking, research and consulting firm near Edinburgh, Scotland. But last year's gains — which propelled the total global agrochemicals industry value to almost US 50 billion dollar — were artificial for many reasons, including cash infusions from investors looking to reap the rewards of inflated commodity prices and undersupply from China. Without the factors that created a windfall in 2008, combined with fear of a global recession, optimism for 2009 is hard tofind right now.