Uruguay Proposes Tax on Agrochemicals Considered Highly Dangerous
The State of Paraná’s Agricultural Defense Agency carried out the “Big Citros” and “Agro +” operations in four municipalities of Northwest Paraná. The action focused on greening control, inspecting orchards and verifying control of the insect vector Diaphorina citri. Agricultural sprayers were also inspected to reduce pesticide drift and protect neighboring crops. (Adapar)
The Agricultural Secretariat of the State of Rio Grande do Sul held lectures in Uruguaiana and São Gabriel, on September 10th and 17th, about the correct use of pesticides, highlighting safety in applications, inspections and compliance with legislation. State agricultural inspector Juliano Goulart Ritter, responsible for the lectures, emphasized the importance of care to avoid pesticide drift. According to him, the activity addressed mitigation strategies, such as the use of control tools and the agroclimatic monitoring and alert system. “In addition, we addressed the use of hormonal pesticides, the aerial application of new products, case studies and preventive measures to avoid problems”, he said. (Seapi-RS)
Brazil’s fertilizer market has already recorded 45% of purchases for the 2025/26 crop, above the previous cycle but still below 2021/22 and other seasons. Analyst Jeferson Souza, from Agrinvest Commodities, stated: “There is no such thing as expensive or cheap [inputs]. The real indicator is the barter ratio, which is the true thermometer for business”. Some farmers are already negotiating for the 2026/27 season. Risk management is considered crucial to maintain competitiveness and sustainability. (Agrinvest Commodities)
Syngenta announced the promotion of Brazilian Emilhano Stefanello Lima to the position of Global Head of Seedcare & Biologicals. (Syngenta)
The Ministry of Agriculture discussed Bill No. 699/2023 (Profert) at the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo, which creates tax incentives and presumed credit to expand local fertilizer production and to reduce Brazil’s current 85% dependence on fertilizer imports. The proposal includes tax exemptions on natural gas and broad relief on inputs. The Brazilian market could reach US$ 240 billion by 2030, with US$ 82 billion in green and technological solutions. Stakeholders also advocated for support to bioinputs as a sustainable alternative. (MAPA)
LongPing High-Tech appointed Mírian Polastrini as the new human resources director in Brazil. (LongPing High-Tech)
The fertilizer sector is not under risk of shortages for the 2025/26 season, according to specialists, despite external dependence and US tariff disputes. Deliveries in the 1H25 increased by 10.5%, reaching 20.14 million tonnes. The structural challenge remains to increase domestic production, which currently covers less than 25% of demand. “The market is well supplied. Projections point to favorable weather for planting and a strong start to fertilizer deliveries”, said Mosaic’s senior distribution director, Gabriel Gimeno. (The Mosaic Company; ANDA)
From January to August 2025, fertilizer imports into Brazil increased 10%, according to the State of Paraná’s Fertilizer Industry Union, although products’ concentration decreased. Despite challenges from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and high prices, the market expects an expansion driven by the likely record grain harvest. To discuss cost trends for the 2025/26 season, the union will hold the 19th NPK Symposium on October 30th in the city of Curitiba, State of Paraná. (Sindiadubos – PR)
The Administrative Council for Economic Defense received for analysis the “concentration act” involving Adufértil Fertilizantes’ acquisition of control over Fass Indústria e Comércio. The case will evaluate competition impacts in the fertilizer manufacturing sector. (CADE)
Unicamp developed Brazil’s first transgenic agave, resistant to glyphosate. The technology, created at the Institute of Biology, is expected to boost sisal and bioenergy production in the semiarid region, with significant social and environmental impact. The project is part of the BRAVE program, supported by Shell, with US$ 5.64 million in investment. (Inova Unicamp)
Tax reform and Supreme Court case ADI 7755 (which questions the legality of tax exemptions for agricultural pesticides) put tax incentives under dispute. Ministers are divided between the need to preserve agribusiness competitiveness and constitutional principles related to the environment and public health. The ruling could redefine fiscal incentives, raise production costs and may even impact food prices in Brazil. (Finocchio & Ustra Law Firm)
Thesis by researcher Isabella Cristina de Castro Lippi, from the State University of São Paulo, received an honorable mention at the Capes Thesis Award 2025. The study revealed that pesticides such as imidacloprid alter the regulation of thousands of genes in honeybees (Apis mellifera), even at sublethal doses. The changes impair immunity, nutrition, metabolism and flight capacity, with risks to pollination and food security. The research is part of the NECTAR center’s work, which previously supported restrictions on fipronil. (Jornal da Unesp)
Dollar exchange value decreased to a 15-month low, reducing the cost of agricultural inputs in Brazil. The drop favored fertilizers and pesticides, which are purchased in Brazilian Reais (BRL). For potassium chloride, the devaluation was sharper in local currency than in US dollars. Analysts recommend farmers align purchases and sales in the same currency to avoid foreign exchange risks. For the 2025/26 season, negotiations remain open, especially for pesticides. (Agrinvest Commodities)
The Civil Police has launched Operation “Santo Grão” across four States (Mato Grosso, Goiás, Cearáand Pará) to dismantle a criminal scheme involving the theft of soybean and ag inputs. Businessmen, truck drivers and rural workers used fake invoices and clandestine transport to divert the products. The investigation began in 2024 after drivers were arrested with 90 tonnes of stolen soybeans in the city of Porto Alegre do Norte, State of Mato Grosso. (Civil Police of State of Mato Grosso)
Restricted credit continues to hinder the recovery of the agricultural input chain, according to UPL’s CEO Rogério Castro. He projects only a small growth in pesticide sales in 2025 and expects both the current and next crop season to be marked by strong volatility. (UPL)
Rising fertilizer prices, combined with the devaluation of BRL, are expected to significantly reduce farmers’ margins in 2025/26. Soybean margins are estimated to decrease from 38% to 24% and corn from 26% to 21%. Leaseholders already face negative margins and the sector’s financial recovery is not expected before 2027. (Rabobank)
Petrobras signed a contract with Engeman to resume nitrogen fertilizer production at its plants in the States of Bahia and Sergipe, previously leased to Unigel, by the end of 2025. (Petrobras)
Ammonia and sulfur prices have risen again, putting pressure on fertilizer industry costs. Ammonia went through 14 consecutive weeks of increase in Europe, while sulfur has surpassed US$300/tonne at Brazilian ports. According to StoneX, this scenario challenges the sector’s competitiveness and raises concerns among farmers. Market Intelligence analyst Tomás Pernías noted that, although higher ammonia and sulfur prices do not necessarily translate into higher fertilizer quotations, the situation is delicate. “With barter ratios already at the worst levels in recent years, this scenario represents yet another challenge for the industry and, ultimately, it is also worrisome for farmers”. (StoneX Consultoria)
Embrapa Environmental will hold the symposium “Bioinputs: Building the Netherlands-Brazil Consortium for Innovation” on October 10th, in partnership with the Federal University of Lavras and Wageningen University. The event will discuss scientific cooperation, advances in biocontrol and regulatory challenges, seeking to structure an international consortium for larger projects in the sector. (Embrapa)
The Court of Justice of the State of Rio Grande do Sul suspended a decision that had banned the use of the 2,4-D herbicide in the southern region of the State and in areas near vineyards and orchards. With the automatic suspension of the state government’s appeal, the product remains authorized for the 2025/26 harvest until the final judgment on the appeal. The lower court ruling had granted a request from the Campanha apple and fine wine producer associations, which reported the risk of drift on sensitive crops. (Rio Grande do Sul Court of Justice – 4th Civil Chamber)
The Ministry of Agriculture has established the National Plan for the Prevention and Surveillance of Cydia pomonella, an absent quarantine pest considered a high risk to Brazilian fruit production. The measure defines monitoring, training, phytosanitary education and contingency protocols to prevent the entry and spread of the pest in the country. (Official Gazette, Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 1369/2025, Ministry of Agriculture)
Kothe Agro accelerates expansion in the State of Mato Grosso with the construction of a new Seed Processing Unit in Primavera do Leste. The company has appointed Pâmela Vitorassi Fabri as its regional operations manager. (Kothe Agro)
Microorganisms associated with fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) can, when inoculated into corn plants, stimulate growth, strengthen defenses and reduce the pest’s impact. The results indicate potential for developing endophytic inoculants and new sustainable agricultural management strategies. (Agência Fapesp)
Survey shows 47.6% of orange trees in the State of São Paulo and the southwest of the State of Minas Gerais are infected with greening, equivalent to nearly 100 million trees. Despite the increase compared to 2024, the disease’s progression has slowed for the second year in a row. The highest incidence occurs in groves over 10 years old. (Fundecitrus)
Investigations by the Special Task Force to Combat Organized Crime in Franca, São Paulo, revealed the PCC [First Capital Command, the country’s largest and most powerful criminal organization] has become involved in pesticide counterfeiting and smuggling schemes, involving at least nine groups specializing in labels, gallons, seals and invoices. In July alone, 30,000 ready-made packages for illegal products were seized, causing an estimated US$ 5.61 million in losses to the legal pesticide market. (Gaeco)
During an official mission to the UK, the Ministry of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding to expand scientific cooperation in plant nutrition, nitrogen management and emissions reduction. (MAPA)
President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, stated the government will recover companies to make Brazil self-sufficient in fertilizers, highlighting the vulnerability caused by the war between Russia and Ukraine. According to him, the exploitation of potassium reserves in the Amazon Biome will only occur if there are no negative environmental impacts, evaluating alternatives in other regions. (Government of Brazil)
Research investigated how citrus plants react to greening by analyzing secondary metabolites produced by the plants. The presence of compounds such as xanthyletin and seselin, increased in infected roots. These substances, with known antimicrobial properties, may play an active role in defense against the bacteria. Early detection of these metabolites could serve as the basis for new diagnostic methods and genetic improvement. (UFSCar)
State of Acre’s Governor Gladson Cameli delivered more than 20,000 bags of limestone and 4,000 bags of fertilizer to the cities of Acrelândia and Plácido de Castro as part of the “More Efficient Livestock” project. The initiative aims to restore pastures and reduce deforestation. Cameli highlighted the sustainable and economic impact of the investments, which also benefit from partnerships with local dairies. (Government of the State of Acre)
The Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock – CNA brought together its Working Group to discuss the regulation of the Bioinputs Law (Law No. 15070/2024). Among the points discussed were the definition of situations that will require a technical manager and the registration model for multiplication units for personal use. CNA advocates for simplified rules, with exemptions for basic processes such as composting and silage and the involvement of different qualified professionals in professional councils. Contributions will be forwarded to MAPA. (CNA)
The 18th Biological Control Symposium – Siconbiol, held in Gramado, State of Rio Grande do Sul, highlighted the bioinputs market in Brazil is growing by an average of 15% y/y and is expected to surpass the chemical market by 2050. According to Embrapa, Brazil is already the global leader, with 786 products and 747 registered inoculants. The event brought together 1,400 participants and reinforced the potential for expansion in food crops. (Embrapa)
After positive results in coffee and citrus, ICL’s new organic-based biofertilizer is beginning testing on cotton crops in Mato Grosso do Sul and Western Bahia. Previous trials showed average productivity gains of 23% in coffee and up to 89.3% in citrus. (ICL)
In compliance with court decisions, Anvisa approves pesticide toxicological evaluations of flumioxazine 500 g/L SC, fluazinam 500 g/L SCand fluroxypyr meptyl 480 g/L EC (Tecnomyl); thidiazuron 360 + diuron 180 g/L SC (Rainbow); and lufenuron 30 + pyriproxyfen 100 g/L EC (Partner). (Official Gazette, Res. No. 3664 – 3668 from 09/19/2025, Anvisa)
Ibama, with support from the National Force and Funai, conducted Operation Ceres II in the Yvy Katu Indigenous Territory in Japorã, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, to stop the irregular use of pesticides, environmental crimes and improper land leasing. The operation resulted in four citations and the seizure of a tractor. Cases of pesticide poisoning in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul doubled from 2021 to 2023, according to the State’s Health Department. (Ibama)
With urea prices increasing in 2025, Brazilian farmers have been switching to alternative fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate. Despite being less concentrated, the input has gained ground due to its economic viability and increased supply at the Ports of Santos and Paranaguá. This trend is putting pressure on logistics and is expected to intensify through the end of the year, especially with demand for the second corn crop. (StoneX Consultoria)
Latin America
In Argentina, phosphate fertilizer imports increased 22% in the 1H25, driven by diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate, with the largest volume coming from Russia and Lithuania and a decline in shipments from China. Nitrogen fertilizer purchases fell 19% compared to 2024, especially urea. The rise in international natural gas prices directly impacted fertilizer costs. (CIAFA)
The province of Entre Ríos, Argentina, enacted Law No. 11211, which establishes the Policy for the Promotion and Development of the Production, Self-Consumption and Commercialization of Biofuels and Bioenergy. The law encourages the provincial bioeconomy, focusing on the production of biopesticides, biofertilizers and biopharmaceuticals, in addition to fostering research, innovation, sustainable job creation and the progressive replacement of fossil fuels. (Government of Entre Ríos)
In Colombia, the drop of the dollar to 3,906 pesos, the lowest level in more than a year, has renewed expectations regarding the reduction of fertilizer costs. However, experts warn the impact will not be immediate, as it depends on imported inventories and international factors such as India’s auctions, gas costs, climate and logistics. In July, simple fertilizers prices increased by 1.52%, while compound fertilizers fell by 0.42%; pesticides registered a 0.75% decline, led by herbicides. In the long term, phosphorus scarcity may continue to exert upward pressure. (UPRA)
Residues of imidazolinone herbicides harm forage crops used in rotation with rice in Uruguay. Research by Universidad de la República and the National Institute of Agricultural Research showed that tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) were the most sensitive, with declines of up to 35% in emergence and 60% in biomass. White clover (Trifolium repens) and bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) showed greater tolerance. The impact varied with soil type. (Udelar; INIA)
Uruguay proposes a tax on agrochemicals considered as highly dangerous. The government included in its budget proposal the creation of a Specific Internal Tax (IMESI) on agrochemicals containing substances considered highly dangerous by the WHO. According to Environment Minister Edgardo Ortuño, the measure aims to “promote sustainable production and meet the demands of international markets, such as Europe”. (Government of Uruguay)
In Durango, Mexico, the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research – Inifap warned of the spread of more aggressive and pesticide-resistant pests, such as some caterpillars in corn and locusts that attack bean farms. The prolonged drought has led to more intense population outbreaks, increasing production losses. Inifap reinforces the need to train producers in integrated pest management, combining chemicals, traps and other strategies to improve control effectiveness. (Inifap)
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