Organised crime fuels €20 billion counterfeit pesticide market, endangering Greek farmers
In northern Greece, cheap illegal pesticides supplied by crime networks are tempting cash-strapped farmers, despite health and environmental warnings.
Farmers in Serres are buying counterfeit pesticides at about one-sixth of the legal price, while scientists warn the unregulated products often contain banned carcinogens. Organized groups transport the chemicals from Turkey using cars, trucks and even tourist buses. Since 2020, authorities have seized nearly 8,700 tonnes of prohibited pesticides, part of a global trade estimated at $20 billion annually.
Why it matters
Counterfeit pesticides threaten public health, the environment, and legitimate agricultural markets across Europe.
In this story
counterfeit pesticidesillegal tradeorganised crimefarmerscarcinogenic chemicalsEU banseizuresglobal markethealth risks
