Crop Protection and Nutrition – Weekly Update Brazil & Latin America (10/16/25 – 10/22/25)

Ministry of Agriculture has published the approval of 33 pesticide registrations of Formulated Product. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 50 from 10/17/2025, Ministry of Agriculture)

Researchers from University of São Paulo and Stanford developed the Solar-ECS system, which uses solar power to transform urine into nitrogen fertilizer. The prototype converts nitrate into ammonia and produces ammonium sulfate, using heat from photovoltaic panels to enhance efficiency. The technology reduces emissions and can support sanitation and wastewater reuse. (USP)

Henrique Tramontini dos Santos is the new marketing leader for Bayer’s Cerrados Milho business unit. (Bayer)

Brazil was removed from FAO’s Hunger Map in 2025 after reducing undernourishment to below 2.5% of its population. According to agronomist Valter Casarin, coordinator of the Nutrients For Life initiative, fertilizers play a key role in this achievement by increasing crop yields and improving food quality. Casarin notes that by supplying essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, fertilizers enable higher production without expanding farmland, contributing to food security and sustainability. (NPV; FAO)

Representatives from the pesticide and transport sectors criticized the Ministry of Agriculture’s Ordinance No. 805/2025, which establishes the National Program for the Traceability of Pesticides and Related Items. During a public hearing at the Agriculture Committee of the Brazilian Lower House of Congress, Lídia Cristina dos Santos, from Figueiredo & Santos Law Firm, said that the industry supports traceability, but that it is necessary to distinguish it from cargo tracking to avoid excessive costs and regulatory inefficiency. Marco Aurélio Ribeiro, legal director of NTC&Logística, warned that similar measures in the State of São Paulo increased hazardous cargo license fees from US$ 3 to US$ 110 per vehicle, which could lead to cost increases to farmers and consumers. (MAPA; Brazilian Lower House of Congress)  

Brazil’s crop protection market for the second corn crop fell 7% in 2025, totaling US$ 2.36 billion. The decline was driven by a 13% drop in product prices and a 16% depreciation of the BRL/USD exchange rate. Meanwhile, the planted area increased 6% to 16.9 million hectares and technology adoption rose 11%. Foliar insecticides led sales (US$ 891 million), followed by fungicides (US$ 500 million) and herbicides (US$ 466 million). (Kynetec Brasil)

Embrapa’s Soybean Unit launched a free online course on soybean inoculation and coinoculation, taught by researchers Mariangela Hungria, Marco Antonio Nogueira and André Prando. The training covers seven modules on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), best practices and coinoculation with Azospirillum brasilense. The technology is used on 85% of Brazil’s soybean area and can increase yields by 8% without nitrogen fertilizers. In 2024, it saved an estimated US$ 25 billion and avoided more than 230 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. (Embrapa)

The first registration requests for Trichoderma yunnanense fungicides have been filed in Brazil. Total Biotecnologia and Ihara began regulatory procedures for products aimed at controlling Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium oxysporum. The fungus is known for its antagonistic activity against pathogens and for promoting plant growth, representing a promising tool in integrated soil disease management. (MAPA; Total Biotecnologia; Ihara)

The Ministry of Agriculture launched the National Program for Open Innovation in Agriculture – MAPA Conecta, replacing AgroHub and aiming to strengthen technological innovation in agribusiness. Led by the Secretariat for Innovation, the program includes a digital platform connecting startups, companies, and research centers and a national network of state innovation ecosystems. Priority areas include bioeconomy, digital agriculture, and contemporary food, emphasizing bioinputs, traceability, soil fertility, and production chain certifications. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance MAPA No. 839, 09/23/25)

Fertilizer deliveries to the Brazilian market reached 25.29 million tonnes from January to July of 2025, up 10.7% from the same period in 2024, according to the National Association for Fertilizer Diffusion. The State of Mato Grosso led consumption with 5.78 million tonnes (22.9% of the total), followed by the States of Paraná and São Paulo. Imports increased 12.1%, reaching 22.98 million tonnes. (ANDA; MDIC)

In September of 2025, the average price of imported fertilizers reached US$ 360.8 per tonne, up 11.7% when compared to September of 2024. Farmers needed 1.79 tonnes of corn to purchase one tonne of fertilizer (FOB), the highest level since 2022. Despite the annual price increase, Mosaic’s Fertilizer Purchasing Power Index fell nearly 7% compared to August, reflecting the off-season and a slight exchange rate decline, which made fertilizers temporarily more affordable. (Safras & Mercado; Mosaic; Comex; Cepea)

On October 10th, 2025, the São Paulo State 2nd Bankruptcy Court approved Unigel’s request for Bankruptcy Protection (similar to US Chapter 11), with declared debts totaling around US$ 1 billion. The financial crisis was worsened by the global drop in fertilizer prices, high natural gas costs and competition from cheaper imports. The company operates in the States of Bahia and São Paulo and should begin operations at its new sulfuric acid plant in December as part of its Bankruptcy Protection plan. (São Paulo 2nd Bankruptcy Court; Unigel)

Brazil seeks to consolidate its global leadership in the bioinputs market by combining tropical agriculture expertise with advanced formulation technologies. According to Laudemir André Müller, agribusiness manager at ApexBrasil, Brazil’s use of bioinputs has grown by an average of 22% per year over the past three years, reaching 158.6 million treated hectares in 2024/25, which is equivalent to 26% of the country’s cultivated area. The “Brazil Bioinputs” project, launched by ApexBrasil and CropLife Brasil, has an initial budget of about US$ 1 million and aims to promote Brazilian bioinputs first in Latin America, later expanding to the EU and North America. (ApexBrasil; CropLife Brasil)

Developed by Embrapa’s Cerrados Biome Unit, the BioAS technology assesses soil health by measuring the activity of arylsulfatase and β-glucosidase enzymes, linked to sulfur and carbon cycles. Ieda de Carvalho Mendes, Embrapa’s researcher, explains that the tool complements traditional chemical analyses and helps detect imbalances before they affect yields. A full analysis costs between US$ 30 to US$ 40. Soils with higher biological activity show higher soybean yields up to 680 kg/ha and improved water storage, nutrient cycling and pesticide degradation. (Embrapa)

Algae-based biofertilizers are gaining ground in Brazil and worldwide, driven by the demand for more sustainable farming practices. Researcher Marciel Stadnik, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, notes that macroalgae extracts, especially Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima, are now the main source of biostimulants used to enhance plant growth and stress resistance. Production costs vary by scale and species, but are decreasing with technological progress. According to Stadnik, algae do not replace mineral fertilizers but increase their efficiency and reduce pesticide use. (UFSC)

The Supreme Federal Court has begun hearing regarding two direct actions of unconstitutionality (ADI No. 5553 and 7755) challenging tax benefits granted to pesticides through Confaz Agreement No. 100/1997 and provisions of Constitutional Amendment 132/2023. The rules reduced ICMS (value-added tax on circulation of goods and services, similar to a sales tax) and the IPI (Federal tax on industrialized products) levied on these products by 60%. The reporting judge, Justice Edson Fachin, has already voted for the unconstitutionality of clauses in the agreement and the zero-rate setting. The trial began with oral arguments and is expected to resume next week. (STF)

Global fertilizer market is on alert with the possibility China will restrict exports in the 4Q2025 in order to prioritize domestic supply and contain prices. The common measure before the  Chinese agricultural season, could reduce the global nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers’ supply. According to StoneX, the lack of predictability in Chinese decisions increases uncertainty and may raise prices, although the impact on Brazil depends on the type of fertilizer affected and demand, since the peak in local purchases occurs before the summer crop is planted. (StoneX)

Chemical deforestation alerts in the State of Mato Grosso surged 800% in 2025, with 621 suspected cases identified by the state’s environmental monitoring system. Since 2021, around 149,000 hectares may have been cleared using pesticides. The practice, deemed an environmental crime, is reportedly used to open new pasture and croplands. (Sema/MT)

Sumitomo has adopted an extended payment terms policy for farmers in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, granting up to 500 days to pay for agricultural pesticides, following four consecutive crop failures. According to the company’s Treasury and Risk Manager, Marcelo Gavazzi, the strategy aims to keep farmers in business and support the sector’s recovery. (Sumitomo Chemical)

The National Association of Agricultural and Veterinary Input Distributors (Andav) took part in a public hearing in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies on the National Pesticide Traceability Program. Represented by Antonio Luiz Neto, the group urged that existing state systems in the States of Mato Grosso, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul guide federal regulation, emphasizing the need to target illegal products. (Brazilian Lower House of Congress; Andav)

Cancellation of six pesticide registrations, in addition to the withdrawal of three registration applications at the request of the registrant companies. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 49 from 10/08/2025, Ministry of Agriculture)

According to a survey conducted by the maritime agency Williams Brasil, 7.220 million tonnes of fertilizer are scheduled to be imported from October 1st to 13th. The majority of this is expected to be unloaded through the port of Santos, São Paulo, totaling 2.062 million tonnes. Next comes the port of Paranaguá, Paraná, with 1.764 million tonnes. The agency’s report takes into account vessels already anchored, those offshore awaiting docking, and those scheduled to arrive by December 20, 2025. (Williams Brasil)

National Union of Plant Protection Products Industry launched the free Colmeia Viva App, which connects farmers, service providers, and beekeepers, maps agricultural areas and apiaries, sends spraying notifications, and allows users to chat. Beekeepers within a six-kilometer radius receive alerts about applications, allowing them to protect hives and reduce risks to bees, which are essential for pollination and agricultural productivity. (Sindiveg)

Deborah Costa Baruzo is the new Product Lead, focusing on Adama’s herbicide portfolio. She began her career at Milenia, worked in Marketing and Commercial teams at DuPont, and led teams at Corteva for seven years. (Adama)

The Ministry of Agriculture established the GTT-Log Technical Working Group to develop the implementation of logistical traceability for pesticides under the National Program for the Traceability of Pesticide Products (PNRA). The group, composed of representatives from the Executive Secretariat, the Agricultural Defense Secretariat, and the Information Technology Subsecretariat, will have 30 days to present a report with technical data and proposals, extendable for the same period. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance SE/MAPA No. 57, 10/17/25)

With over 20 years of experience at Syngenta, Aimar Pedrini takes over as Marketing Director for Seedcare and Biologicals for the company in Brazil. (Syngenta Brasil)

Sumitomo Chemical has established Sumitomo Biorational Company, unifying Valent BioSciences, MGK, and Valent North America (SBC) from April 2026. SBC will serve as a global center for innovation in biorational solutions, developing sustainable products based on microorganisms and natural extracts. Shinsuke Shojima will serve as president, and the reorganization aims to accelerate research and expand the supply chain. (Sumitomo Chemical)