Crop Protection and Nutrition – Weekly Update Brazil & Latin America (08/28/25 – 09/03/25)

Argentina’s Fertilizer Imports Increase by 17.5%

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Starting September 15th, 2025, all pesticide and related products registration and post-registration requests should be filed exclusively at the Ministry of Agriculture, through the SEI/MAPA platform. MAPA will be responsible for distributing the submissions to Anvisa and Ibama. Submissions filed directly at Anvisa or at Ibama after this date will not be considered valid for processing. (MAPA)

In compliance with a court decision, Anvisa approves toxicological evaluation of technical glyphosate (Iharabras). (Official Gazzete, Resolution No. 3284 from 08/27/2025, Anvisa)

Crop protection products could generate over US$ 175 million in the State of Paraná. 30% to 35% of the crop protection products for the next summer crop have already been sold. The Central-West region of Paraná has significant unmet demand for crop protection products for the 2025/2026 summer and 2026/2026 second-crop harvests. The volume sold for the second-crop harvest is still low, ranging from 5% to 10%. Historically, sales average during this period typically exceed 80%. (EEmovel Agro; Aenda)

In 2025, Ibama has approved 246 environmental evaluations of formulated pesticides. The companies with the most approvals are Cropchem (25), Rainbow (23), and AllierBrasil (16). Most of the approved types of formulations are Concentrated Suspension (98). Highlights to prothioconazole (18), trifloxystrobin (17), and flumioxazin (14). (Ibama)

The Agricultural Defense Department of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply informs the soybean planting calendar in Region 1 begins this Monday, September 1st. This measure came into effect following the regionalization of the Fallow Period, which divided the State of São Paulo into three regions. (SAA)

State of Mato Grosso is anticipating purchases of input for the 2026/27 season. For fertilizers, there’s still some distance between actual prices and the prices expected by farmers, but the outlook changes when it comes to pesticides. Large farmers and other buyers are closing strategic deals, particularly for good-priced pesticides, such as glyphosate. This purchase anticipation reinforces the State’s position as a “national thermometer” for the inputs market. (Agrinvest Commodities)

The Lower House of Congress’ Environmental Committee approved Bill No. 4592/23, which prohibits fipronil foliar spraying. The insecticide, already suspended by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) since 2023 and banned in countries such as the EU and Uruguay, is considered a threat to bees and human health. The ag sector is opposing the proposal, citing losses in pest management. The bill will now go to the Commission of Justice and then to the plenary. (Agência Câmara de Notícias)

Corteva, in partnership with Unesp, AgroEfetiva and Up.Herb, trained more than 4,500 farmers, pesticide applicators and agricultural professionals in the 1H25. The initiatives, carried out through the Good Agricultural Practices department, focused on the correct use of agricultural pesticides, integrated management of pests, weeds and diseases, as well as guidance on worker safety, including the use of Personal Protective Equipment. (Corteva Agriscience)

Treated area with pesticides increased 3.1% in the 1H25 in Brazil, when compared to 1H24, driven by adverse weather conditions, such as irregular rainfall and above-average heat. The total treated area reached more than 1.1 billion hectares, according to a survey conducted by Kynetec Brasil at the request of the National Union of Plant Protection Products Industry. (Sindiveg)

A truck carrying 23 tonnes of pesticides caught fire on Thursday, August 28th, on the Rodoanel Sul highway, in the South of the city of São Paulo. (Cetesb)

Fertilizer imports are booming in Brazil in 2025. According to StoneX, increased demand for less concentrated fertilizers is likely to sustain the high pace of Brazilian imports throughout 2025. As these products contain lower amounts of nutrients per tonne, their use requires larger volumes. According to StoneX Market Intelligence analyst Tomás Pernías, this reinforces Brazil’s position as one of the largest global fertilizer importers and a strategic destination for international exporters. (StoneX Consultoria)

The use of macroalgae as source of biofertilizers will be the topic of the lecture “New Perspectives for Obtaining and Using Macroalgae”, given by Professor Marciel Stadnik of the Federal University of Santa Catarina during the Conexão Abisolo event in Campinas, State of São Paulo. In his presentation, Stadnik will provide a comprehensive overview of the agricultural potential of macroalgae, covering species ranging from widely used globally, such as Ascophyllum nodosum, native to the Northern Hemisphere, to those cultivated locally, such as Kappaphycus alvarezii, found in States of Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and the Northeast region of Brazil. (UFSC; Abisolo)

Yara increases investment in bioinput production. The company has increased its immediate investment plan for bioinputs by US$ 40 million and will use the funds to hire new employees. (Yara Fertilizantes)

The National Supply Company is holding a workshop on the use of bioinputs in rice crops until August 29th. The activity is part of the Arroz da Gente Program, created to stimulate rice production in Brazil and strengthen family farming. “The use of bioinputs contributes to reducing production costs and favoring more sustainable agricultural practices,” the company reported. (Conab)

Government has increased credit to small farmers in the North and Central-West regions by US$ 180 million, via constitutional funds. The expansion of the “AgroAmigo” Program is meant to benefit 100,000 family farmers, ranchers, artisanal fishermen and others. Operated by Caixa Econômica Federal, the program offers an interest rate of 0.5% per year, a 36-month term and discounts of up to 40% for those who pay on time. The credit can be used for pasture restoration, and for purchasing seeds and fertilizers, etc. (Ministry of Integration and Regional Development)

Tereos reduced nitrogen and potassium application in sugarcane crops by 30%. This reduction was achieved through a contract signed with ICL to supply specialty fertilizers used on 40,000 hectares of sugarcane. Currently, all solid fertilizers used by Tereos are purchased from ICL. (Tereos)

Fertilizantes Heringer has once again announced changes in the board of directors. The new CEO of the company, owned by Eurochem, is Sérgio Longhi Castanheiro. The CFO and Investor Relations Director, Fausto Goveia, has also resigned. Gustavo Oubinha, founding partner of Pawa Finance, has replaced him. (Fertilizantes Heringer)

Fertilizer prices are beginning to decrease in Brazil, offering better purchasing opportunities for the second crop in 2026, according to Jeferson Souza, a fertilizer analyst at Agrinvest. Even so, the 2025 balance sheet shows higher year-to-date values for all raw materials. The exchange rates are attractive for the 2026 second-crop corn crop. (Agrinvest Commodities)

Article by researchers from the State University of Londrina, Unicentro, and other institutions has been published regarding the solubilization and mineralization of phosphorus by microorganisms and its impact on soybean yield. According to researcher Leandro Gonçalves of the State University of Londrina, co-inoculation with strains of Priestia megaterium and Lysinibacillus sp. increased soybean yield to levels comparable to 50-100% of phosphate fertilization, applying approximately 30% of the recommended P. Available at https://tinyurl.com/AgriBrasilis2. (UEL)

The Brazilian Development Bank launched the “BNDES Bioinputs” credit line on Tuesday, August 26th, which will allocate up to US$ 11 million as non-refundable resources to family farming cooperatives for the production and multiplication of bioinputs. The initiative, funded by the BNDES Socioenvironmental Fund, has the technical collaboration of Embrapa. (BNDES)

Pesticides Law No. 14785/2023 paved the way for the creation of specific regulations on adjuvants. According to José Victor Torres, general coordinator of Pesticides and Related Products at MAPA, the law establishes the possibility of specific standards for adjuvants, aiming for greater standardization, traceability, and quality. Torres emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture welcomes contributions from companies, entities and users to develop this regulatory model. The topic was discussed at the 5th Workshop on Adjuvants in Phytosanitary Mixtures, held in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. (Nedta)

The Regional Labor Court of the 15th Region ordered, in a second instance decision, IHARA of Sorocaba, State of São Paulo, to pay US$ 180 thousand in collective moral damages for the practice of electoral harassment during the 2022 presidential campaign. “IHARA respects the freedom and democratic right of each employee to choose,” according to a statement from the company. (TRT-15; IHARA)

A company from the city of Brasilândia, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, signed a Conduct Adjustment Agreement to repair environmental violations resulting from the use and transportation of pesticides without the required agronomic prescription. The measure was adopted after an inspection by the State Agency for Animal and Plant Health Defense, which identified transfers of products such as Fipronil Nortox and Flumizin 500 SC without the proper technical recommendation, in violation of State legislation. (Iagro)

Following positive results with low-carbon coffee, Yara announces a partnership with Barry Callebaut to promote sustainable fertilizers for cocoa crops. The initiative, unveiled during ExpoCacau in the city of Ilhéus, State of Bahia, includes the use of precision agriculture and fertilizers with up to 90% lower carbon emissions. According to the company, tests in Bahia and Pará have already recorded an average increase of 17% in productivity and up to 200 kg of additional beans per hectare. (Yara Fertilizantes)

According to Alencar Zanon, a researcher at the Federal University of Santa Maria, productivity loss due to nitrogen deficiency in soybeans has been proven. The scientific article “Short-duration soybean varieties are prone to nitrogen limitation in high-yield subtropical environments” proves that high-yield soybean crops with short cycles experience productivity losses caused by nitrogen limitation. “This is the first scientific evidence demonstrating nitrogen limitation in short-cycle cultivars in soybean crops in Brazil”. Available at https://tinyurl.com/AgriBrasilis. (UFSM)

Grain operating margins show a slight recovery in Brazil, but there is still worry about financial risks. Despite improved operating margins for the 2024/25 season, driven by yields and exchange rates, farmers remain highly leveraged. With restricted credit, high interest rates and rising costs, especially for fertilizers, the focus should be on reducing financial leverage. (Rabobank Brasil)

The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Committee, chaired by State Representative Zé Nunes, approved the final report of the Subcommittee on Legislation on Hormonal Herbicides, which evaluated the use of the herbicide 2,4-D on the State of Rio Grande do Sul’s crops and its impacts on various production chains. According to Representative Zé Nunes, the report will serve as the basis for new legislation. “We will draft a bill to strengthen oversight and ensure clear rules on the use of hormonal herbicides in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. We cannot coexist with a technology that undermines other crops, harms the economy and poses health risks to the population“. (Government of Rio Grande do Sul)

Glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Conyza bonariensis) puts pressure on costs and reduces yields in Brazilian crops. The weed, present throughout almost the entire country, can reduce soybean yields by more than 50% in high infestations. In the State of Paraná, management costs reach US$ 370 million per season; in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, losses and costs exceed US$ 730 million. Experts recommend integrated management, with herbicide rotation, cultural practices, and early control to prevent the intensification of resistance. (UTFPR)

Soybean seed treatment with inoculants and biopesticides is boosting Brazilian agriculture. “Seed treatment with biopesticides is being used by a growing number of farmers, helping to ensure seed health and allowing plants to express their full genetic potential. This technology effectively combats pests, diseases and nematodes, reducing damage to soybean seeds, and is a key factor in maintaining the plant population in the farms”, said Renato Brandão, national sales manager at BRQ Brasilquímica. (BRQ Brasilquímica)

In July of 2025, Anvisa began preparing the new 2026–2027 Regulatory Agenda, following the guidelines in the Regulatory Agenda Manual. This process must be completed by December 17th, the deadline for publishing the Agenda, as it is part of the Annual Management Plan and must comply with the deadline established by Law No. 13848/2019. From August 15th to September 15th, members of the public and the entities of the National Health Surveillance System will be able to provide their opinions, via an electronic form, on the preliminary list of topics proposed by Anvisa for prioritization in the 2026–2027 Regulatory Agenda. During this period, it will also be possible to suggest the inclusion of other topics if a regulatory demand of interest is not included in the list. (Anvisa)

Adufértil Fertilizantes, a company owned by Indorama Group, has signed documents to acquire Fass Agro, a leading player in the liquid fertilizer market. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, establishes the company among the leading domestic suppliers in the segment, strengthening its presence in strategic regions and expanding its offering of sustainable solutions. “The acquisition of Fass Agro is an important step that strengthens our presence in strategic crops”, said Gustavo Zaitune, CEO of Adufértil. For Amit Lohia, vice chairman of Indorama, the transaction creates “a leading platform in liquid fertilizers, complementing the already established portfolio of solid fertilizers”. (Adufértil Fertilizantes)

Ministry of Agriculture published a list containing 182 requests for formulated product pesticide registrations, including 82 insecticides, 43 fungicides, 35 herbicides, etc. (DOU, Act No. 35 of 08/13/2025, MAPA)

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