Agricultural use of colistin worldwide, and especially in China, dwarfs this:<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lancet.com&#x2F;journals&#x2F;laninf&#x2F;article&#x2F;PIIS1473-3099(15)00424-7&#x2F;fulltext" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.lancet.com&#x2F;journals&#x2F;laninf&#x2F;article&#x2F;PIIS1473-3099(...</a><p>(see cached version for the full text, standard link has full text behind paywall)<p>...
China is the world&#x27;s largest poultry and pig producer, and in 2014 produced 17·5 million tonnes and 56·7 million tonnes, respectively.25 Most of the production is for domestic consumption with about 10% for export.26 The global market value of veterinary drugs increased from US$8·7 billion in 1992 to $20·1 billion in 2010, and in 2018 is anticipated to reach $43 billion.27, 28, 29 China is also one of the world&#x27;s highest users of colistin in agriculture.29 Driven largely by China, the global demand for colistin in agriculture is expected to reach 11 942 tonnes per annum by the end of 2015 (with associated revenues of $229·5 million), rising to 16 500 tonnes by the year 2021, at an average annual growth rate of 4·75%.29 Of the top ten largest producers of colistin for veterinary use, one is Indian, one is Danish, and eight are Chinese. Asia (including China) makes up 73·1% of colistin production with 28·7% for export including to Europe.29 In 2015, the European Union and North America imported 480 tonnes and 700 tonnes, respectively, of colistin from China.29