Regional Patterns of Pesticide Consumption Determinants in the European Union

This article contributes to the discussion about socioeconomic factors that reinforce pesticide dependence in European Union and hinder transition more sustainable agricultural practices light of Union’s Green Deal objective reducing use pesticides by 50% 2030. The analysis has a two-pronged purpose: (1) identify determinants consumption conducting set four seemingly unrelated regressions (2) emphasize existence regional patterns across EU countries formed significantly impact based on cluster analysis. Per capita GDP, selling prices, population, real income positively influence use, whereas subsidies organic area negatively them. Pesticide is most affected GDP per least subsidies. Cluster highlights differences reflected three clusters: recent member states, with large population levels, (3) highest capita. Our findings may contribute EU’s capacity generate policy changes at state level can be built into recommendations address persistent overuse pesticides.