Forecast: global agricultural use of pesticides 2023-2027

The worldwide agricultural consumption of pesticides is forecast to increase slightly over the next few years, from around 4.3 million metric tons in 2023 to a value of around 4.41 million metric tons in 2027. The region that consumes the most agricultural pesticides is the Americas, with more than half of the world’s total pesticide use in 2021.

Ensuring food security amidst a growing population

Pesticides are critical in modern agriculture for managing pests, diseases, and weeds that threaten crop yields. With the world population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, increasing agricultural productivity is essential as it helps ensure stable and abundant food supplies necessary to feed a growing global population. Pesticides play a crucial role in this by reducing crop losses and improving overall yield. Additionally, as climate change continues to affect weather patterns and increase the incidence of extreme weather events, the threat of pests and diseases is likely to rise. Pesticides will thus become increasingly vital in protecting crops under these increasingly unpredictable conditions, thereby supporting global food security.

Environmental footprint

The forecast growth in worldwide agricultural pesticide consumption raises concerns about the long-term productivity of agricultural land and the broader environmental impacts. Over-reliance on chemical pesticides can lead to the development of pesticide-resistance, requiring ever-increasing amounts of chemicals to achieve the same level of control, which can degrade soil health over time. This degradation can reduce the land’s fertility and productivity, necessitating increased fertilizer use to maintain yields, thus creating a vicious cycle. Furthermore, pesticides can leach into waterways, causing contamination of rivers, lakes, and groundwater. This contamination can harm aquatic ecosystems, killing beneficial insects, fish, and other wildlife, and can also pose risks to human health through polluted drinking water sources.