The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released its latest Pesticide Use Report, showing continued reductions in pesticide use in California.

In total, approximately 176 million pounds of pesticides were used in 2023, a decrease of about three percent compared to 2022 data and the third year of continued declines.

Over the last 10 years, highly regulated categories of pesticides — including potential carcinogens, reproductive toxins, cholinesterase inhibitors, groundwater contaminants, toxic air contaminants, and fumigants — have shown declines in use of 22 to 81 percent. Conversely, use of lower-risk biopesticides has increased 46 percent since 2014.

Changes in pesticide use may reflect several factors, such as regulatory limits on the use of certain types of pesticides, and also declining farm acreage and shifts in consumer demand.

“The continued trend of reduced pesticide use in California complements DPR’s long-term efforts to promote sustainable pest management,” noted DPR Director Karen Morrison.

California’s pesticide-use reporting program began in 1990 and is considered the most comprehensive in the nation. The latest report highlights other important changes in pesticide use between 2022 and 2023:

Four percent increase in the use of biopesticides (considered safer than conventional pesticides);

Nine percent decrease in the use of fumigant pesticides;

Six percent decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential carcinogens;

Nine percent decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as toxic air contaminants;

Thirteen percent decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential reproductive toxins;

Thirty-four percent decrease in the use of pesticides regulated as potential groundwater contaminants.

Over this same time period, the use of pesticides regulated as potential cholinesterase inhibitors increased by five percent.

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.

To learn more about pesticide use and use reporting, visit DPR’s Pesticide Use in California webpage. For more information on the department’s work to advance safer, effective, and more-sustainable pest management in California, see DPR’s 2025 mid-year update.