The case of cereals
It is estimated that without glyphosate, production of wheat in the EU could decline by up to 24 million tons. A reduction of yield by 8-18% would be recorded for wheat and a similar rate (8-19%) would affect barley.
At EU level, phasing out glyphosate in wheat production would translate into an increase of costs for the sector of up to EUR 10.5 billion, resulting from both reduced agricultural output (and therefore revenue) and higher production costs.
A survey conducted among Italian farmers in 2017 forecasts a 20% yield reduction for corn, corresponding to a loss of revenues of EUR 494 per hectare. With approximately 660,000 hectares for corn in 2017, the loss would be of about EUR 326 million. For durum wheat, the loss would be of 33% yield and corresponding revenue decrease of EUR 399 per hectare. With approximately 1,27 million hectares for durum wheat in 2017, the loss would be of about EUR 506 million.
References
- “Socio-economic value of glyphosate: A review of EU studies assessing the value of glyphosate to the agriculture industry”; L. Garcia-Perez, Harriet Illman, S. Wynn; 13 May 2020
- Agrinet2000, “Weed costs and management – Result on a survey on a representative sample of Italian farmers”
- “La produzione di mais in Italia: valori e criticità”, 20 July 2020
- “Grano duro: in Italia diminuiscono le semine e le rese”, 22 May 2017