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FAO Report Shows Brazil Leads Global Pesticide Use: 10.9 Kg/Ha Compared to 2.85 Kg in the US and 1.9 Kg in China.
Recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) shows that Brazil now consumes more pesticides than the United States and China combined. The survey places the country at the forefront of the global ranking for pesticide use, an unprecedented warning for environmental, agricultural, and public health sectors.
Comparison of Use Per Hectare Reveals Intensity of Agricultural Consumption
According to the FAO, Brazil uses 10.9 kg of pesticide per cultivated hectare, while the United States reports 2.85 kg/ha and China 1.9 kg/ha.
These numbers indicate that the Brazilian pattern is not only volumetric but also involves extremely concentrated use per cultivated area, exposing soils, rural workers, and ecosystems to chemical pressures that are far greater.
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Per Capita Consumption Increases Warning About Health Impact
When consumption is measured per capita, the contrast is even greater. Brazil recorded 3.31 kg of pesticides per person, compared to 1.36 kg in the US and only 0.17 kg in China.
This metric shows how each Brazilian citizen, directly or indirectly, is more exposed to the effects of the intensive use of these substances.
History of Growth and Agrochemical Dependence
The use of pesticides in Brazil is not only the highest in the world but has also grown strongly in recent decades. Experts attribute this increase to the intensive model of agribusiness, the production of commodities for export, and the approval of new pesticides.
This chemical dependence creates impacts that go beyond the fields: contamination of soil, water sources, food, and increasing environmental risk for populations near agricultural areas.
Environmental Consequences and Health Risks Evidenced
Excessive pesticide use is associated with a number of already documented problems: contamination of surface and groundwater, adverse effects on respiratory, dermatological, and neurological health of rural populations, impacts on pollinators and soil biodiversity, and persistence of residues in foods consumed daily.
The intensity of use per hectare and per capita reveals that it is not just about quantity, but about human and environmental exposure at concerning levels.
In light of this scenario, experts advocate for structured measures such as reviewing the authorization of new pesticides, stricter enforcement of usage and disposal, promoting agroecology, monitoring public health in agricultural regions, and data transparency so that civil society and researchers can track the real impact of consumption.
Brazil at the Center of the Global Chemical Crisis
The FAO study provided not only a statistical figure but a historically significant warning: Brazil leads the world in pesticide use, surpassing together two of the largest agricultural powers on the planet. This record places the country at the center of a global crisis of sustainability and public health.
This is no longer just an agribusiness issue, but one affecting the life of every Brazilian. If nothing is done, the production model based on chemical volume risks becoming unsustainable.
The future of food, water, and health depends on urgent choices — and time to change is running out.
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