The quantity of pesticides sold decreased by one-sixth last year
According to Statistics Estonia, 706 tonnes of pesticides (by active substance) were placed on the market in 2017 in Estonia, which is 15% less than the year before.
Biological and mechanical plant protection products accounted for 0.1% of the total quantity of pesticides sold in 2017, the rest were chemical plant protection products.
Of the quantity of sold pesticides, 66% were herbicides, 17% were fungicides, 13% were growth regulators and 4% were insecticides. Compared to 2016, the quantity of sold herbicides decreased and the quantity of fungicides increased. The quantity of insecticides placed on the marked has also slightly decreased in the last couple of years.
Compared to 2012, the quantities of sold plant protection products have increased by a quarter in the last five years. In 2017, three times more growth regulators and almost double the quantity of fungicides were sold compared to five years prior. At the same time, the quantities of herbicides and insecticides have remained roughly at the same level.
Pesticides are used not only for agricultural purposes, but also in forestry, wood processing industry, road and railway maintenance, sports grounds, playgrounds and parks. Everyone can buy certain plant protection products for use in the garden.
Pesticides placed on the market are pesticides bought abroad and brought to Estonia for sales. Pesticides are used for weed, plant pest, parasite and insect control. The use of pesticides can fluctuate yearly depending on climate conditions and variability in plant damages and diseases.
For the statistical activity “Sales of pesticides”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Rural Affairs, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting this statistical activity.