Tonnes of Pesticides Used Worldwide
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Annual Global Pesticide Use
Per Second Rate
Increase Since 1990
Understanding Tonnes of Pesticides Used Worldwide
This counter tracks the global use of agricultural pesticides including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other crop protection chemicals. Modern agriculture relies heavily on these chemicals to protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, with usage continuing to grow despite environmental and health concerns.
Global pesticide consumption reached approximately 4.4 million tonnes in 2025, up from 3.69 million tonnes in 2022. This represents a doubling of pesticide use since 1990, driven by agricultural intensification, expanding cropland, and the need to feed a growing global population.
Herbicides account for the largest share at about 47.5% of total pesticide use, followed by insecticides at 29.5%, fungicides at 17.5%, and other pesticides at 5.5%. The Americas consume over half of global pesticides, with Brazil alone using over 800,000 tonnes annually, making it the world's largest consumer.
Global Pesticide Use Patterns and Impacts
- Regional consumption varies dramatically, with the Americas using 1.89 million tonnes (43%), Asia-Pacific 1.7 million tonnes (39%), and Europe 0.66 million tonnes (15%). Brazil leads individual countries with 800,650 tonnes, followed by the United States at 467,680 tonnes, reflecting intensive agricultural production in these regions.
- The most widely used active ingredients include glyphosate and metam potassium (700,000 tonnes each annually), dichloropropene (450,000 tonnes), and 2,4-D (150,000 tonnes). These chemicals are applied across major crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice, which together account for the majority of pesticide use.
- Environmental and health impacts are significant. Pesticides contaminate soil, water, and air, affecting non-target organisms including pollinators, aquatic life, and beneficial insects. Human exposure occurs through food residues, water contamination, and occupational contact, with over 700 foreign chemicals detected in human bodies.
- Despite growing organic farming and integrated pest management practices, global pesticide use continues to rise at about 3-4% annually. Climate change is expected to increase pest pressures, potentially driving even higher pesticide demand unless sustainable alternatives are widely adopted.
Pesticide Classifications
- Herbicides: Chemicals that kill or inhibit unwanted plants (weeds), accounting for ~48% of pesticide use
- Insecticides: Compounds targeting harmful insects, comprising ~30% of global pesticide consumption
- Fungicides: Substances controlling fungal diseases in crops, representing ~18% of pesticide use
- Active Ingredient: The chemical component responsible for pesticide's biological activity
Pesticide Use by Type (2025)
- Herbicides: 2.09 million tonnes (47.5%)
- Insecticides: 1.30 million tonnes (29.5%)
- Fungicides: 0.77 million tonnes (17.5%)
- Plant Growth Regulators: 0.13 million tonnes (3%)
- Other Pesticides: 0.11 million tonnes (2.5%)
Top Pesticide Consuming Countries
- Brazil: 800,650 tonnes (18.2%)
- United States: 467,680 tonnes (10.6%)
- China: 395,000 tonnes (9.0%)
- Argentina: 241,500 tonnes (5.5%)
- India: 233,900 tonnes (5.3%)
Major Active Ingredients
- Glyphosate: 700,000 tonnes/year
- Metam Potassium: 700,000 tonnes/year
- Dichloropropene: 450,000 tonnes/year
- 2,4-D: 150,000 tonnes/year
- Chlorpyrifos: 20,000 tonnes/year
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Global pesticide use data is compiled from FAO statistics, national agricultural reports, and industry databases, covering major pesticide groups and active ingredients across all agricultural applications worldwide.
The real-time counter applies a rate of 139.5 tonnes per second based on annual consumption of 4.4 million tonnes, reflecting the continuous application of pesticides across global agricultural operations throughout the year.