Pesticide usage in Scotland: Soft Fruit Crops 2024

General trends

Crop area

In 2024 the census area of soft fruit crops grown in Scotland was 1,959 hectares. This represents a 9% decrease in cropped area from 2022 [3] and a 10% decrease from 2020 [4]. Since the last survey in 2022, census areas of most soft fruit crops have decreased, while the area of blackcurrants and other soft fruits increased (Figure 1). Areas of strawberries decreased by 16%, raspberries by 22%, blueberries by 5%. Blackcurrants increased by 16% and other soft fruit crops by 3%.

Figure 1 footnote: Source – June Agricultural Census. Areas do not include multi-cropping. Areas include both non-protected and protected crops. 2022 areas are based on the June 2021 Agricultural Census as there was no census in 2022 – see the 2022 report for further information.

In 2024, strawberries accounted for 51% of the soft fruit area, blackcurrants 19%, blueberries 12%, raspberries 10% and other soft fruit crops 8% (Figure 2). For full details of census crop areas, see supporting document Table 11.

Pesticide usage

In 2024, 90% of soft fruit received a pesticide treatment, similar to the 92% treated in 2022 and the same as the 90% treated in 2020. Strawberries and blackcurrants had the highest overall proportion of crop treated with a pesticide (97 and 96% respectively, see supporting document Table 1). Other soft fruit crops and raspberries had lower proportions of treated crop (76 and 68% respectively) (see Glossary and background notes for the list of crops included in the ‘other soft fruit’ crop categories). The treated area of crops received on average 15.4 pesticide applications compared to 14.4 in 2022 and 12.4 in 2020. In 2024, the highest average number of applications was to strawberries with 20.4 and the lowest number was to raspberries at 7.7 applications.

The estimated area of soft fruit crops treated with a pesticide formulation (including biologicals) in 2024 was ca. 38,300 hectares compared with ca. 36,000 hectares in 2022 and 2020 (Figure 3). This represents an increase of 6% since 2022 and 7% since 2020. The most notable increases between 2022 and 2024 were sulphur and biopesticides (141% and 52% respectively), although sulphur levels remain lower than those recorded in 2020. Recent surveys have indicated a continuing trend of increased use of biopesticides and biological control agents for managing pests and disease in soft fruit crops as part of an integrated pest management programme. Between 2020 and 2024, the estimated area of soft fruit crops treated with biopesticides has increased by 317% (from ca. 1,200 to ca. 5,000 ha) and use of biological control agents has increased by 151% (from ca. 3,500 ha to ca .8,700 ha). In 2024, biopesticides accounted for 13% of the total pesticide treated area while biological control agents accounted for 23% (cf. 3% and 10%, respectively, in 2020).

The weight of pesticide applied was ca. 26 tonnes in 2024, an increase of 73% from 2022 (ca. 15 tonnes) and an increase of 52% from 2020 (ca. 17.2 tonnes) (Figure 4). This has been driven by the increased use of biopesticides and in particular, Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808, which is applied at much higher rates than conventional pesticides. The weight of biopesticides applied increased by 370% in 2024 compared to 2022 and 5,322% compared to 2020.

Figure 4 footnote: Molluscicides and physical control agents have been excluded as their use represents < 0.1 tonnes in 2024. Invertebrate biological control agents are applied by number of organisms rather than weight therefore weight data are not presented.

In order to make accurate comparisons between the 2024 data and that reported in previous surveys, it is important to take into account differences in crop area between years. Therefore, the number of treated hectares per hectare of crop grown and the total weight of pesticide used per hectare of crop grown were calculated. In 2024, for each hectare of crop grown, around 18.4 treated hectares were recorded (Figure 5). This is an increase of 12% from 2022 and 2020. In 2024, the number of pesticide treated hectares has increased across all pesticide categories excluding insecticides/acaricides which decreased by 9%. The pesticide treated areas of biopesticides and sulphur have had the most notable increases of 61% and 155% increase respectively.

In terms of the actual number of treated hectares per hectare of crop grown, the largest change was for biopesticides. In 2024, for each hectare of crop grown, 2.4 treated hectares were recorded, an increase from 1.5 and 0.6 treated hectares in 2022 and 2020 respectively.

A similar trend is observed for biological control agents. In 2024, for each hectare of crop grown, 4.2 treated hectares were recorded, an increase from 3.5 and 1.6 treated hectares in 2022 and 2020 respectively.

The estimated weight of pesticide applied per hectare of crop grown in 2024 was 12.5 kilograms (Figure 6). This represents an increase of 83% from 2022 and an increase of 60% from 2020. The increase in the number of pesticide treated hectares and the weight of pesticide applied per hectare is influenced by the large increase in use of biopesticides (397% increase in weight applied). Biopesticides play an increasingly important part in growers’ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes, a key component of the recently published UK National Action Plan for Pesticides [5]. As mentioned previously, some biopesticides are applied at much higher rates than conventional pesticides contributing to the larger increase in weight of pesticide applied compared to area treated. Overall, the slight increase in area treated and moderate increase in weight of pesticide applied in 2024 could also be due to increased weed and disease pressure from more favourable climatic conditions in 2024 compared to 2022 and 2020. A warmer spring (8% warmer in 2024 than 2022) and a wetter winter, spring and summer (46%, 69% and 48% wetter respectively in 2024 than 2022) in the East of Scotland where the majority of soft fruit crops are grown, may have increased weed and disease pressure on crops in 2024 compared with 2022, which was considered a low pest pressure year [6].

Figure 6 footnote: Molluscicides and physical control agents have been excluded as their use represents < 0.1 kilograms applied per hectare of crop grown. Invertebrate biological control agents are applied by number of organisms rather than weight therefore weight data are not presented.

Figure 8 footnote: Molluscicides and physical control agents have been excluded as their use represents < 0.5% of weight applied. Invertebrate biological control agents are applied by number of organisms rather than weight therefore weight data are not presented.

Fungicides

In 2024 and 2022, fungicides were the most frequently used pesticide by area treated on soft fruit crops, followed by biological control agents and insecticides/acaricides (Figure 7). Fungicides accounted for 41% of the total pesticide treated area and 36% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in crop areas are taken into account, the area treated with fungicides increased by 3% from 2022 to 2024 and decreased by 11% between 2020 and 2024 (Figure 5). From 2022 to 2024, there was an 18% increase in the weight of fungicides used per hectare of crop grown, and a 6% increase between 2020 and 2024 (Figure 6). From 2022 to 2024, use of potassium hydrogen carbonate increased by 21% in terms of area treated, and 43% in terms of weight applied between 2022 and 2024, helping to contribute to the higher increases in weight applied than area treated. Potassium hydrogen carbonate is used on strawberries to control powdery mildew. It is an effective alternative to synthetic fungicides and it has low residue risk and short harvest intervals, allowing it to be used as part of a broader IPM strategy to manage fungal diseases and prevent resistance. The principal fungicide mode of action on soft fruit crops is the inhibition of respiration (this group includes Qo inhibitors and SDHIs, see supporting document Table 5).

Insecticides/acaricides

In 2024, insecticides and acaricides accounted for 13% of the total pesticide treated area and 2% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in crop area are taken into account, there is a 9% decrease from 2022 to 2024 and a 32% decrease from 2020 to 2024 in the area treated with insecticide/acaricide formulations (Figure 5). In terms of weight of insecticide applied, when area of crop grown is taken into account, there was a 19% decrease from 2022 to 2024 and a 67% decrease from 2020 to 2024 (Figure 6). The decrease in insecticide use in 2024 may have been influenced by several factors, including increased use of biological control agents. Over the longer term, a number of insecticide active substances (for example Thiacloprid in 2021) have been withdrawn. In addition, there has been a large increase in the use of biological control agents, biopesticides and physical control for managing insect pests and disease in soft fruit crops as part of an IPM system, potentially leading to a decreased use of insecticides. The main insecticide mode of action in 2024 was inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (spirotetramat). Sodium channel modulators (containing pyrethroids) were the principal mode of action in 2022 and 2020. Unlike pyrethroids, which can have adverse effects on non-target insects, the use of spirotetramat is generally more compatible with IPM programs.

Herbicides

In 2024, herbicides accounted for 5% of the total pesticide treated area and 3% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in crop area are taken into account, there was a 5% increase in the area treated with herbicide formulations from 2022 to 2024 and a 21% decrease from 2020 and 2024 (Figure 5). In terms of weight of pesticide applied, when area of crop grown is taken into account, there was a 33% increase from 2022 to 2024 and a 36% decrease from 2020 to 2024 (Figure 6). Persistent rain and a warmer spring in 2024 compared to a cooler and dryer spring in 2022 [6], may have increased weed pressure, potentially increasing the weight of herbicides applied. Pendimethalin was the most used herbicide in 2024 and 2022. Use of Pendimethalin increased by 64% in terms of treated area and 121% in terms of weight applied from 2022 to 2024. However, the largest increase from 2022 to 2024 was a 75% increase in the use of Flufenacet/metribuzin in terms of area treated (168% increase in weight applied). These active substances were predominantly used on blackcurrants, and the increase in use is likely to have been influenced by the increase in area of blackcurrants grown in 2024 compared to 2022. Inhibition of microtubule assembly is the principal herbicide mode of action (see supporting document Table 6).

Biological control agents

Biological control agents accounted for 23% of the total pesticide treated area (Figure 7). As biological control agents are applied by number of organisms rather than weight, no weight data are presented. When changes in crop area are taken into account, there was an increase of 20% from 2022 to 2024 and an increase of 164% from 2020 to 2024 in area treated. This overall increase in the use of biological control agents demonstrates a continuing trend towards increased use of biological control agents for managing insect pests and disease in soft fruit crops as part of an integrated pest management programme. Use of biological control agents are mainly confined to protected crops and the majority (70%) of soft fruit crops in Scotland are grown under protection. The predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris was the principal biological control agent in 2024 in terms of area treated but had a 45% decrease in area treated from 2022 to 2024. The most notable increase from 2022 to 2024 was an 838% increase in the use of Aphidoletes aphidimyza on protected strawberries. The use of the parasitic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora had a 417% increase, predominantly used on protected strawberries and semi-protected blueberries to control vine weevil, a major soft fruit pest. Biological control agents were used on strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and other soft fruit crops such as blueberries and blackberries. For comparison purposes in previous reports and wider publications Neoseiulus cucumeris was previously known as Amblyseius cucumeris, Transeius montdorensis was previously known as Amblyseius montdorensis and Stratiolaelaps scimitus was previously known as Hypoaspis miles.

Biopesticides

In 2024, biopesticides accounted for 13% of the total pesticide treated area and 49% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in crop area are taken into account, there was an increase of 61% from 2022 to 2024 and an increase of 339% from 2020 to 2024 in the area treated with biopesticide formulations (Figure 5). Weight of pesticide applied increased by 397% from 2022 to 2024 and 5,609% from 2020 to 2024. As noted previously, this has primarily been driven by increased use of Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808, which is applied at much higher rates than conventional pesticides.

Biopesticides were recorded on strawberry, raspberry and on other soft fruit crops, with the majority of biopesticides applied to strawberry crops for the control of botrytis and powdery mildew.

Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 was the most used biopesticide in 2024 by area treated, with a 455% increase in use from 2022 to 2024, predominantly used on protected strawberries. Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713, the most used biopesticide in 2022, had a 40% decrease in terms of area treated from 2022 to 2024. Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 is used for powdery mildew control, whilst Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 is known to be effective at controlling botrytis, both major soft fruit diseases [7]. The milder spring in 2024 may have provided more favourable conditions for powdery mildew than in 2022, influencing the large increase in use of both Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 and of the total biopesticide treated area and weight applied.

In the 2022 report Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain MBI600 and Bacillus pumilus strain QST 2808 were incorrectly reported as biological control agents rather than biopesticides. The correct amended 2022 figures are used in this report. For comparison purposes in previous reports and wider publications Akanthomyces muscarius was previously known as Lecanicillium muscarium. The increase in biopesticide use demonstrates a continuing trend towards increased use of biopesticides to manage insect pests and disease in soft fruit crops as part of an integrated pest management system.

Physical control agents

Pesticides classified as physical control agents accounted for 2% of the total pesticide treated area (Figure 7). When changes in crop areas between years are taken into account, there was an increase of 18% from 2022 to 2024 and an increase of 145% from 2020 to 2024. As all physical control agents were unspecified in 2022 and 2020 and therefore have no associated weight, no comparisons for changes in weight data are possible. The active substance maltodextrin was used for the first time in 2024, on protected strawberries and blackberries. Physical control agents are substances that have a physical action against insect pests, for example by blocking insect spiracles and causing death by suffocation. Physical control agents were predominately recorded on protected crops for the control of aphids, spider mite, whitefly and thrips. In the 2022 report some physical control was incorrectly reported as carbonic acid diamide/urea, this should have been reported as unspecified physical control agents. The correct amended 2022 figures are included in this report.

Molluscicides

Molluscicides accounted for 1% of the total pesticide treated area and less than 1% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in crop area are taken into account, there was a 28% increase between 2022 and 2024 and a 47% decrease between 2020 and 2024 (Figure 5). The weight of molluscicides applied per hectare of crop grown has increased by 30% from 2022 to 2024 and decreased by 52% between 2020 and 2024. Molluscicide use varies significantly from year to year as slug populations are closely linked to climatic conditions; spring and summer in 2024 was characterised by persistent rain (25 and 50% higher in 2024 than 2022 respectively [6]) and warmer than average spring temperatures, favourable conditions for slug populations. Ferric phosphate is now the only molluscicide active substance available to growers.

Sulphur

Sulphur accounted for 2% of the total area treated and 11% of the total weight of pesticides applied (Figures 7 and 8). When changes in area grown are taken into account, there was a 155% increase in the use of sulphur between 2022 and 2024, and a 32% decrease from 2020 to 2024 (Figure 5). The weight of sulphur applied per hectare of crop grown increased by 4% from 2022 to 2024 and decreased by 42% from 2020 to 2022 (Figure 6). Sulphur has dual use as both a fertiliser and a fungicidal treatment and is permissible in both non-organic and organic systems. Sulphur was primarily applied to control big bud mite on blackcurrants, the vector for blackcurrant reversion virus, and being an essential macronutrient that can be applied as a foliar spray, sulphur helps support plant functions that can affect yield, quality and marketability. There was a 16% increase in the area of blackcurrants grown in 2024 compared with 2022, which may have impacted the use of sulphur.

Notable changes to individual active substances

As well as changes in overall trends in application of pesticide groups since the previous survey, there has been variation in the use of individual active substances. The biological control agent Feltiella acarisuga, biopesticides Akanthomyces muscarius, COS-OGA and Metarhizium anisopliae, the herbicide diflufenican; insecticides flonicamid, sulfoxaflor and physical control agent maltodextrin were recorded for the first time on soft fruit crops in this survey (supporting document Table 4). Please note diflufenican is not currently approved for use on soft fruit. This was recorded as a misuse of a product applied under table top grown strawberries.

The most notable increases were predominately restricted to biologicals. Use of the biological control agent Amblyseius species increased by 8,724% in terms of area treated. The use of Aphidoletes aphidimyza also increased by 838% from 2022 to 2024. The biopesticide Bacillus pumilus QST 2808 had a 455% increase in use from 2022 to 2024. The most notable decrease was for the insecticide fatty acids C7-C20 that decreased by 96% in area treated from 2022 to 2024. The trend of increased use of biological control agents and biopesticides highlights, what appears to be, an increased assurance and capability by growers to use these products to protect high value crops from pests and diseases, coupled with greater availability of biological products to growers. Additionally, there has been a focus on the promotion of IPM and the introduction of mandatory completion of IPM plans within some key farm assurance schemes to help growers make the best possible and most sustainable use of all available methods of pest control.