Use of pesticides in agricultural and horticultural production 2013

Tike has started compiling statistics on the use of pesticides in agriculture: information was first collected from farmers towards the end of 2013. Of all pesticide product groups, herbicides were used in the greatest quantities (accounting for 79 per cent).  Fungicides accounted for 17 per cent, growth regulators for three per cent and pest control products for one per cent of the total amount of pesticides used. The total amount used was greatest with herbicides and fungicides applied on cereals due to their large cultivation area. The greatest total amounts of pesticides per hectare were applied on sugar beets, potatoes, outdoor vegetables, strawberries and apples. The most commonly used active ingredient was glyphosate. The amount of products used containing this ingredient was larger than the total amount of all other herbicides. Compared with the sales statistics of the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) the agricultural use of herbicides was 92 percent of the amount sold for use in agriculture, horticulture and gardens. For fungicides the share was 70, for growth regulators 53 percent and for insecticides it was 16 percent. The amounts sold and used are different because the statistics on agricultural use do not include pesticide use on some crops and in home gardens. Furthermore, the purchase and use of pesticides do not always take place in the same year.