Consuming organic fruits and vegetables has become a trendy concept. However, some European countries overuse pesticides in their agricultural methods, while others have significantly reduced their use.
According to specialists, to be healthy, you must eat fruits and vegetables every day. However, it is also necessary to ensure the quality of these products. According to FAO and Eurostat surveys, the use of pesticides in Europe is far from being abolished and most products displayed in supermarkets are not always recommended. Discover the list of countries old continent who use the most pesticides in their agricultural methods.
Pesticides: which European countries use them the most?
Data based on surveys
According to the 2021 survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the percentage of pesticides used by European countries is not identical. At the top of the ranking is Holland, which uses the most pesticides with 10.86 kg/ha, which represents an area of approximately 10,000 m². This country therefore holds the record for fruits and vegetables most contaminated by pesticides in Europe. Holland is followed in this ranking by Cyprus and Malta which use 9.22 kg/ha and 8.09 kg/ha respectively, as indicated by Touteleurope.eu magazine.
What are the percentages of agricultural giants in Europe?
France, Italy, Germany and Spain are designated as the four giants of agricultural production in Europe and logic would dictate that they are the biggest consumers of pesticides. However, according to FAO data, in 2021 France used 3.67 kg/ha, which brings it closer to the overall European average : 3.2 kg/ha. Italy, for its part, consumed 5.38 kg/ha and Spain, 4.59 kg/ha. As for Germany, it accounts for 4.14 kg/ha of pesticides used in 2021, as indicated by Statista figures.
Countries with the lowest percentages
Other countries stand out more for their low percentages of pesticides in fruit and vegetable production. These are Romania, 0.62 kg/ha, Sweden, 0.73 kg/ha, Lithuania, 1.12 kg/ha and Slovakia, 1.21 kg/ha. They can therefore rejoice in being designated as those who have used the least amount of pesticides in 2021 and to be below the European average percentage. To obtain good harvests from their fruit trees, these countries favor natural methods.
The sale of pesticides in Europe: a declining market?
Low percentages
According to Eurostat, the percentage of pesticide use in the EU is declining and will continue to decline over the coming years. Between 2011 and 2021, the old continent went from 360,000 tonnes has 350,000 tonnes of pesticides, which amounts to a reduction of 2.77%. According to statistics, theyear 2019 is the period when Europeans recorded the lowest percentage of pesticide use.
These countries which use fewer and fewer pesticides
Eurostat reports indicate that the Czech Republic records a significant drop in pesticide sales in Europe between 2011 and 2021: – 36%. In this ranking, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Romania and Ireland follow with a decrease of 20% between 2011 and 2021. Figures which indicate that the sale of pesticides in these countries is decreasing and vegetables are very little contaminated, for the well-being of consumers.
The marketing of pesticides, a question at the heart of debates in Europe
Legislation on marketing and theuse of pesticides was established in Europe in 1991 and amended in 2009. According to this legislation, the European Union would like harmonize this sector and make a clear and precise distinction between the authorized pesticides and those who are prohibited. In addition, it invites farmers to use these substances wisely to reduce their impacts on human health and the environment.
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