Crop Protection and Nutrition – Weekly Update Brazil & Latin America (05/29/25 – 06/04/25)

In compliance with a court decision, Anvisa approves toxicological evaluations of imazethapyr 204.3 + flumioxazine 105.1 g/L SC from Partner Agroservice; bifenthrin 300 + lambda-cyhalothrin 200 g/L EC from Syngenta; and technical propargite from UPL. (Anvisa)

Governor of the State of Sergipe, Fábio Mitidieri, reported on May 30th that has received confirmation from the presidency of Petrobras about the resumption of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Factory – Fafen in the city of Laranjeiras. (Government of Sergipe)

From May 19th to 23rd, the São Paulo Department of Agriculture and Food Supply carried out inspections on farms, focusing on the conditions of citrus groves, as well as the use and storage of pesticides. The actions were concentrated in the cities of Ribeirão Bonito, Dourado, Trabiju and Boa Esperança do Sul. “We concentrated the actions in the region of Araraquara, a strong citrus-farming center of the State. In addition, the activities are part of a multidisciplinary project that involves the Agricultural Defense, CATI and Fundecitrus”, said Danilo Romão, agronomist and manager of the State Program for Quarantine Pests. (SAA – SP)

In 2024, more than 150,000 pilots and 100,000 drones were registered in Brazil. Currently, pilots’ salaries range from US$ 700 to US$ 1,410 per month, depending on production, time per application, etc. The activity is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Civil Aviation Agency. To spray pesticides by drone, professionals must also complete the Remote Agricultural Aeroapplicator course, regulated by MAPA Ordinance No. 298/2021. (Ministry of Agriculture; Decea)

Brazil increased fertilizer imports from Algeria from January to April of 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. US$ 54.6 million in fertilizers were imported from Algeria, an increase of 44.2% compared to the same period in 2024. (ANBA)

Fire hit the Oxiteno Indoramano Industrial Complex in Camaçari, State of, on May 27th. No one was injured during the accident. (Indorama Ventures)

To reduce the potential for inoculum from the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, which causes Asian soybean rust, the Agricultural Defense Coordination Office of the São Paulo State Department of Agriculture and Supply informs to soybean farmers the Soybean Fallow Period in Region 1 of the State begins on June 1st and until August 31st. The update to the calendar that divides the State into three regions was defined after the publication of Ordinance No. 1271/2025 by MAPA. (SAA – SP)

According to Danyella Fernandes, market intelligence analyst at the Brazilian Agriculture Confederation, fertilizer prices are still increasing. “Negotiations are heated, and by April, about 40% of the expected volume of fertilizers for the 2025/26 soybean season had already been bought. More information at https://tinyurl.com/4jbzca5m. (CNA)

Anvisa announces the withdrawal of the request for toxicological evaluation of bicyclopyrone 200 g/L SL from Syngenta; and glufosinate – ammonium salt 200 g/L SL from Wynca. (Anvisa)

Production of ag inputs grew 39.6% in March. “The increase in demand for fertilizers and the narrow comparison base — a year ago, the segment contracted by 30.2% — explain the strong increase”. (FGV Agro)

A study performed by researchers from the University of São Paulo and the State University of São Paulo concluded that the combination of pesticides acephate and diuron can “disrupt important mechanisms in the cell membrane of mammals”. The membrane controls the entry of substances, such as nutrients and oxygen, and the exit of waste from cells. (USP; Unesp)

State of Goiás’ Court approved AgroGalaxy’s bankruptcy protection (similar to US’ Chapter 11) plan and recognized the viability of the proposal to overcome the group’s financial crisis. Judge Alessandra Gontijo do Amaral, from the 19th Civil and Environmental Court of Goiânia, granted recovery to the conglomerate of 13 companies that has debts of US$ 810 million, but rejected clauses that attempted to protect third-party guarantors. (Goiás State Court)

Nitro closed 2024 with total revenue of US$ 440 million. In the agricultural segment, revenue was US$ 180 million, a growth of 20% when compared to 2023. (Nitro)

The State of Mato Grosso’s Court has convicted a group of businessmen, transporters and logistics operators for a scheme to steal and adulterate fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. They were targets of Operation Placebo, launched by the Special Task Force Against Organized Crime in 2022. The estimated loss is US$ 3.17 million. The sentence was signed by Judge Jean Garcia de Freitas Bezerra, of the 7th Criminal Court of Cuiabá, and published on May 29th. (State of Mato Grosso’s Court)

Lilian Polakiewicz is Croda’s new regulatory affairs coordinator. (Croda)

The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee has published a new version of the guide “Managing Insecticide Resistance in Corn Leafhoppers”, available at http://irac-br.org/folhetos. (IRAC-BR)

Data from Inpev shows progress of almost 30% beyond the target for disposal of empty pesticide packages, reaching 68,589 packages delivered to collect sites in 12 months. “In a country of continental proportions, ensuring capillarity, efficiency and real impacts is a challenge. The System does this with excellence, going beyond logistics and promoting education, innovation and local transformation”, said Marcelo Okamura, CEO. (Inpev)

Gustavo Adolfo has started a new position as Partner and Commodities Market Consultant at the consulting firm AD Safras Inteligência de Mercado. (AD Safras Market Intelligence)

Petrobras signed an agreement to resume ownership and production of two fertilizer factories, in Camaçari, State of Bahia, and in Laranjeiras, State of Sergipe, which have been halted since 2023. (Petrobras)

The specialty fertilizer market is going through a period of strong expansion in Brazil. According to the Brazilian Association of Plant Nutrition Technology, the segment reached revenues of US$ 4.74 billion in 2024, an increase of 18.9% when compared to 2023. The highlight is special mineral fertilizers, which grew 30.7% in revenue. The trend is for the pace to remain strong in 2025, driven by the search for technologies that increase efficiency, profitability and sustainability in the farms. (Abisolo)

The entry of new [agrochemical] suppliers into the Brazilian market is a natural tendency, according to Alexandre Pires, marketing director at Adama Brasil. “This is a positive scenario, as it stimulates innovation and forces companies to deliver more value to farmers”. (Adama)

The Civil Police launched an operation against a group suspected of stealing, adulterating and illegally selling soybeans and fertilizers in the State of Paraná. According to the investigation, the criminals mixed sand with the diverted soybeans, causing losses of over R$ 15 million and compromising the quality of exported products, putting Brazil’s credibility in the international market at risk. Fertilizers were adulterated with the addition of materials such as limestone and silicate. (PC-PR)

Ministry of Agriculture published the cancellation of 18 pesticide registration applications and 14 product registrations, in response to requests from the applicant companies. (MAPA, 06/02)

Ricardo Tortorella, executive director of the National Association for the Distribution of Fertilizers, commented on the need for regulation of the Bioinputs Law: “Regulation can be very successful or it can be a stumbling block. We are rooting for it and participating actively, talking to the government and society to have the best possible regulation and for the fertilizer industry to move forward together”. (ANDA)

Bayer supports the resumption of cotton farming in the northern State of Minas Gerais. With the donation of seeds and drones, the company strengthens family farming and expands access to technology in Catuti, a region that has historically cultivated cotton but has been severely impacted by pests such as the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis). (Bayer)

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) continues to be one of the main concerns for corn farmers. According to agricultural engineer Maiara Franzoni, this pest has a high capacity for adaptation and can severely compromise yields. “Without adequate refuge areas (areas without the adoption of GMO crops), the risk of selecting resistant individuals increases, compromising the durability of the tools available for managing the caterpillar”. (Aegro)

The National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biological Industry has elected a new board of directors and defined guidelines for the next two years. Thiago Delgado (Agroceres Binova) will be the chairman of the board of directors, alongside vice-chairman Cinthia Delfini (Novonesis). The members elected to the advisory board are Alexandre Alves (Mosaic), Andrea Giroldo (Agrocete), Bruna Canizella (Rizobacter), Camilla dos Santos (Spraytec), Jaqueline Cruz (Syngenta), Luciano Galera (Valeouro Biotec) and Marcelo Guindani (ICL). (Anpii Bio)

Loveland, a North American brand of ag inputs controlled by Nutrien, will expand its regional presence to  the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. “The collaboration with the State of Mato Grosso do Sul is part of our strategy to boost Brazilian agribusiness with innovative and practical solutions”, said Daniel Souza, portfolio manager for nutritional products at Nutrien. (Nutrien)

Biotrop is betting on a patent of a biological herbicide made from plant extracts and microbial metabolites. The company expects the product to be available for the 2025/26 summer. “Last year, 25% of the revenue came from bioinputs launched in the last 24 months”, said Douglas Gomes, the company’s research and innovation director. (Biotrop)