Annual Report Shows Continued Long-Term Decline in High-Risk Pesticide Use

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released the Annual Pesticide Use Report for 2024, showing a trend of decreasing pesticide use in the past ten years and a small increase in pesticide use between 2023 and 2024.

In total, 179 million pounds of pesticides were used in 2024, a 2% increase from 2023. Cumulative acres treated totaled 102 million in 2024, a 4% increase from 2023. Because some fields receive more than one application a year, cumulative acres are higher than total planted acreage. The overall ten-year trend shows decreases in pesticides that pose higher risks to human and environmental health.

The region with the highest pesticide use was the San Joaquin Valley, with the top five counties being Fresno, Kern, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Monterey. These counties are also among the leading producers of agricultural commodities according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Changes in pesticide use from year to year could be the result of several factors such as increased acreage of agricultural commodities, regulatory changes, weather conditions, emerging pest pressures, and innovations in pest management practices. In 2023, severe flooding delayed or prevented the planting of certain crops, which also resulted in less pesticide use. Those acres rebounded in 2024, which was a factor in the small increase in pesticide use from 2023 to 2024.

In the past 10 years, pounds applied of highly regulated pesticides – including carcinogens, fumigants, air and groundwater contaminants, and cholinesterase inhibitors – have declined. This is reflected in the latest report:

• Use of pesticides regulated as carcinogens decreased by 28%
• Cholinesterase inhibitors use decreased by 43%
• Fumigants use decreased by 26%
• Use of pesticides regulated as groundwater contaminants decreased by 78%
• Use of pesticides regulated as reproductive toxins decreased by 38%
• Use of pesticides regulated as toxic air contaminants decreased by 29%

“Accurate tracking and evaluation of pesticide use year over year gives us a better understanding of what is happening on the ground,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “Good data strengthens transparency, supports local decision-making, and helps ensure the advancement of sustainable pest management is informed by real-world outcomes.”

This report showed other important changes in pounds applied of pesticides between 2023 and 2024, such as the increase of biopesticides and oils, which are considered to pose lower risks to human health and the environment.

California’s pesticide use reporting program is considered the most comprehensive in the nation and began in 1990. DPR’s annual Pesticide Use Reports include data collected by the state’s 55 county agricultural commissioners, who receive reports from farmers, pesticide applicators, and others required to report their usage.

PUR is used by DPR to inform continuous evaluation of pesticide use trends and mitigation and regulatory efforts that protect human health and the environment.

To learn more about pesticide use reporting, visit DPR’s Pesticide Use in California webpage.