By Bob West
Our publication of preliminary August pesticide application data means farmers still have four months’ worth of applications remaining in 2021. However, the reality is that California’s farmers make roughly 85% of their annual pesticide applications in the first seven months of the year, so we have a clear picture of just how tough 2021 has been for pesticide suppliers (manufacturers and retailers alike) doing business in the Golden State.
Based on application data reported by PURE Intel+ thus far, California farmers will make 85 million to 88 million treated acres worth of applications of restricted use pesticides in 2021, which represents a drop of roughly 14 million to 17 million from 2020 levels and even more from the market’s high point in 2017. As we’ve reported previously, this year-over-year drop impacts nearly every crop group, every type of pesticide, and every county in the state to varying degrees.
The largest drop on a percentage basis can be found among cotton growers. Cotton isn’t a core California crop and acreage has been dropping for a number of years as water shortage grow more severe. (The preliminary number of planted acres of cotton in California this year is roughly 125,000 – down considerably from 325,000 in 2017.) But the drop in applications from 2020 to 2021 is far more significant than in previous years as much of this production has moved back out of the state. As a result, treated acres for the January to August 2021 timeframe are roughly 60% down compared to the average figure for the four previous years.
Meanwhile, tree nuts represent the crop group receiving the most treated acres of pesticides annually, so it’s no surprise that they account for the largest drop in total treated acres from last year. To be specific, applications to tree nut crops are down roughly 20% from 2020 and 15% from the four-year average as growers reduce acreage and make fewer applications.
PURE Intel+ is a comprehensive database of every pesticide application made to all agricultural crops produced throughout California. PURE Intel+ is updated monthly to provide current and actionable market intelligence that will help drive your business forward. For more information about PURE Intel+ or to schedule a demo, contact Meister Media’s Bob West at 440-602-9129 or [email protected].