Use of pesticides in agricultural and horticultural production 2018

Information about the use of pesticides in agriculture was collected from farmers in 2013 and 2018. The 2018 statistics released now include broad bean and caraway as new crops.

In 2018, the amount of pesticides used was nearly one-fourth lower than in 2013:

• Cultivation areas of most cereals, potato and sugar beet were smaller in 2018 than in 2013
• Dry growing season in 2018 reduced the need for plant protection and its profitability.

More pest products were used in 2018 than in 2013:

• Extensive protection needed against large bird cherry-oat aphid populations in barley and oats
• Exceptional silver Y invasion required protection in caraway, sugar beet, broad bean, turnip rape and rape.

Relative proportions of pesticide groups were similar in 2013 and 2018:

• Of the total volume of pesticides used 79 per cent were weed products and 17 per cent were plant disease products.
• Glyphosate products included in weed products covered nearly half of the total use of pesticides in agriculture
• Relative to the cultivation area, most pesticides were applied to sugar beets, potatoes, outdoor vegetables, strawberries and apples.