Martinique used 19,4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, according to the latest available data. This figure reflects a downward trend observed over the past two years: the island consumed 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 tonnes in 2021. The herbicide, whose use is regularly debated due to its classification as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization, remains widely used in local agriculture despite the health controversies.
This gradual decrease does not mask the reality on the ground. Martinique remains one of the French territories most exposed to this chemical input, along with two other overseas departments and regions. The recorded volumes demonstrate a structural dependence of farms on this herbicide, used particularly in sugarcane and banana plantations.
A persistent agricultural dependency
Local stakeholders are trying to anticipate the future of these practices. In March 2024, CIRAD published a prospective study on possible scenarios for phasing out glyphosate in Martinique's agriculture, exploring technical and economic alternatives for producers. The 2023 figures show that there is still a long way to go before a complete abandonment of this controversial molecule.
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