Overview by AgriBrasilis (12/06/25 - 12/12/25)

Reduction of export taxes on soybeans from 26% to 24%, soybean oil and meal 24.5% to 22.5%; for corn, from 9.5% to 8.5%, while wheat export taxes went from 9.5% to 7.5%, as part of the Government’s promise to gradually phase out “retenciones“. (Government of Argentina)

Argentina plans to privatize and upgrade the 8,000-km Belgrano Cargas rail network to cut grain and mineral freight costs, particularly from remote producing regions, far from the port hub of Rosario; the plan aims to boost exports of soybean, corn, copper and lithium and add up to US$ 100 billion in annual exports within seven years, with investments of at least US$ 800 million. (Government of Argentina)

A new route operated by China Eastern Airlines between Shanghai and Buenos Aires, with a stopover in Auckland, cuts travel time to under 26 hours and opens a new “logistics corridor” for high-value fresh products, carrying 2.1 tonnes of Argentine cherries and 10.5 tonnes of Chilean salmon on its first flight. The direct link between China, New Zealand and Argentina is expected to boost trade and further cooperation. (China Eastern Airlines)

A cyclone has caused damage across several areas of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with up to 90 mm of rain forecast for the Center region of the State, wind gusts above 80 km/h and risks of flooding and flash floods in parts of the States of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná and São Paulo. (Cemaden)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated his vetoes regarding changes in the environmental law were intended to protect agribusiness, arguing that weaker rules could prompt major buyers to restrict imports on environmental grounds, ultimately harming the sector. (Presidency of Brazil)

Brazil’s trade balance started December of 2025 with a surplus of US$ 1.9 billion, on total trade of US$ 12.9 billion in the first week of the month (US$ 7.4 billion in exports and US$ 5.5 billion in imports); year to date, exports reach US$ 325.3 billion and imports US$ 265.5 billion, for a positive balance of US$ 59.8 billion, with agriculture leading export growth, up 58.9% in daily averages compared with December of 2024. (Secex)

Agribusiness exports from the State of Rio Grande do Sul totaled US$ 1.31 billion in November 2025, down 22% from November 2024, with shipped volumes falling 20% to 1.92 million tonnes. Despite the decline, the sector still accounts for 71% of the State’s export value and 88% of exported volumes between January and November, when agribusiness exports reached US$ 13.6 billion, a 4.1% decrease. The drop is mainly attributed to lower soybean availability after drought, while Asia remains the main destination and China alone receives 33% of sales. (Farsul)

Shortcomings in Brazil’s port infrastructure, especially at the Port of Santos, in the State of São Paulo, caused an estimated loss of US$ 1.6 million for coffee exporters in October of 2025, due to extra storage, pre-stacking and container detention costs after 2,065 containers (681.6 thousand 60-kg bags) could not be shipped; this unshipped volume also prevented roughly US$ 278 million in foreign exchange earnings, in a context of ship delays and persistent logistics bottlenecks that may continue until planned port investments are effectively delivered. (Cecafé)

Researcher Ana Catarina Jakovac, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, has secured US$ 127 thousand in funding to lead the project “REGENERA-Amazônia: Predictability of ecological succession as a basis to reduce uncertainties in forest restoration and ecosystem services”. The project will unite field data, remote sensing and scientific literature to establish indicators of natural forest regeneration, classify successional stages and provide evidence to guide public policies for native vegetation restoration. (UFSC; SinBiose)

Agricultural machinery and equipment sales in Brazil are expected to end 2025 with revenue growth of around 8%, with US$ 10.5 billion sold from January to October and a 19.4% increase in tractor and harvester sales (52,443 units), according to the Brazilian Association of Machinery and Equipment Industry. (Abimaq)

SLC Agrícola has approved a US$ 166 million capital increase via a stock bonus of one new share for every 12.5 existing shares and will pay US$ 3.65 million in interest on equity and US$ 69 million in interim dividends in December of 2025. (SLC Agrícola)

The Environment and Sustainable Development Committee of the Chamber of Deputies has approved bill 5382/2023, creating a program to donate and purchase native seeds and seedlings, including no-bid purchases from family farmers and traditional communities; the text now goes to the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Committee (CCJ) for final review. (Agência Câmara)

Report by the Rural Economics Department of Paraná’s State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply shows that coffee and soybeans have the highest margins of the year in the State. Soybeans have an estimated gross profitability of 106%, while milk faces lower farm-gate prices and the egg sector is hit by the 50% tariff imposed by the USA. (Deral)

2025/26 orange crop in the citrus belt of the State of São Paulo and the Southwest of Minas Gerais has been revised down to 294.81 million 40.8-kg boxes, 3.9% below the previous estimate, due to smaller fruit size and higher fruit drop associated with greening. Although still 27.7% larger than last season, the revision implies a loss of around 20 million boxes and may reduce orange juice availability by 65,000 to 70,000 tonnes, in a context of declining exports and European demand still weakened by last year’s record prices. (Fundecitrus; CitrusBR)

Research by the University of Concepción and the Agricultural Research Institute at Quilamapu is testing cover crops in hazelnut orchards in south-central Chile to improve soil quality without reducing yields. Preliminary results show lower bulk density, higher aggregate stability and increases in organic matter, available nitrogen and enzymatic activity, highlighting the potential of these practices to curb erosion, enhance carbon sequestration and help orchards adapt to climate change. (University of Concepción;  INIA Quilamapu)