Counterfeit pesticides from organized crime networks threaten Greece's farmland

An illicit trade in counterfeit pesticides, estimated by TRACIT to be worth $20 billion globally each year, increasingly threatens Greek agriculture. Up to 25% of the pesticide market in parts of Greece consists of illegal substances, often smuggled from Turkey by organized crime networks using cars, trucks, and tourist buses. Although Greek farmers in Serres purchase these products because they cost a sixth of the price of approved alternatives, scientists warn they contain banned, carcinogenic chemicals.

Counterfeit pesticide trade in Greece

• ▪In parts of Greece, the share of counterfeit or illegal pesticides in the market rises to 25%.
• ▪Up to 14% of Europe's pesticide market may be counterfeit or illegal, according to a Euronews report on September 15, 2026.

Financial incentives for illegal products

• ▪Illegal pesticides smuggled into Greece can cost as little as one-sixth of the price of approved, regulated products.
• ▪Farmers in Serres, Greece, state that the appeal of illegal pesticides is purely financial.

Carcinogenic chemicals in unregulated pesticides

• ▪Scientists warn that unregulated pesticides smuggled into Greece contain carcinogenic chemicals that are banned across the European Union.
• ▪Unregulated pesticides smuggled into Greece are frequently sourced from Turkey, according to scientific warnings.

Organized crime smuggling networks

• ▪Organized international networks transport illegal pesticides across borders using cars, trucks, and tourist buses.
• ▪Police describe organized international networks as the entities responsible for moving illegal pesticides across borders.

Law enforcement seizures since 2020

• ▪The global trade of illegal pesticides is worth an estimated $20 billion each year, according to TRACIT.
• ▪Law enforcement authorities have seized nearly 8,700 tonnes of banned pesticides since 2020.

Debatable claims

• ▪Strict EU pesticide regulations drive the growth of the counterfeit market
• ▪Greece should impose harsher penalties on farmers who buy illegal pesticides