Colombia Proposes Tax Reform Affecting Food and Agricultural Inputs
Molinos Río de la Plata sold the grain storage and oilseed-processing complex in Rosario to Grupo Elementa, which plans to invest US$ 100 million in modernizing the facilities. The company also acquired a factory in Tucumán. (CNV – 11/2/26)
Metalfor, an Argentine agricultural machinery manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy protection in Marcos Juárez, Province of Córdoba. According to a company statement, the measure seeks to restructure debts while maintaining manufacturing, sales and technical support operations. (Metalfor – 11/3/26)
The government announced the suspension of tax enforcement seizures by the Revenue and Customs Control Agency until May 2027 and the extension of an 18-installment debt repayment program. Small and medium-sized enterprises will also be allowed to use their export-related tax credits to settle customs debts. The measures cover businesses across several sectors, including agribusiness. (Ministry of Economy – 11/3/26)
Grain and oilseed exporters reported foreign-exchange settlements of US$ 2.88 billion in October, up 157% from the same month in 2025. January–October settlements totaled US$ 25.156 billion (-14%). The figures refer to foreign-exchange settlements, not necessarily the value of exports shipped during the month. (CIARA-CEC – 11/2/26)
ADM reported net earnings of US$ 821 million in the 3Q26. Operating profit in Agricultural Services and Oilseeds reached US$ 778 million (+105%). The company said delayed biofuel policy changes in Brazil pressured soybean crushing margins in South America. (ADM – 11/3/26)
BrasilAgro reported net earnings of approximately US$ 14.9 million in the 1Q27, reversing a loss of approximately US$ 11.8 million a year earlier. The sale of part of Rio do Meio Farm in Correntina, State of Bahia, generated a gain of approximately US$ 9.3 million. Total adjusted EBITDA rose 47% to approximately US$ 17.3 million. (BrasilAgro – 11/3/26)
Raízen opened the period for creditors to select payment options under the out-of-court bankruptcy protection plan on November 2nd, with a deadline of December 3rd. The process forms part of the financial restructuring of the company, which operates in sugar, ethanol and fuel distribution. (Raízen – 11/3/26)
Grupo Piracanjuba took over the Complem dairy plant in Morrinhos, State of Goiás, on November 1st after antitrust clearance. The lease includes the Compleite brand and expands the group to 13 industrial facilities. Initial capacity is approximately 300 K liters of milk/day. (Grupo Piracanjuba; Complem – 11/3/26)
Sicredi reported disbursements of approximately US$ 4.09 billion in agricultural credit during the 1Q of the 2026/27 season (+4.3%). The funding was provided to farmers and agricultural businesses amid a decline in traditional rural credit disbursements. (Sicredi – 11/3/26)
Lar Cooperativa Agroindustrial reported cumulative financial gains of approximately US$ 99.4 million from 427 improvement projects implemented between 2017 and 2026, with investments of approximately US$ 27.4 million. The initiatives focused on cost reductions and operational improvements across production and logistics facilities. (Lar Cooperativa Agroindustrial – 11/3/26)
SLC Agrícola completed the acquisition of Grupo Radar’s Mato Grosso Block on October 30th for approximately US$ 122.3 million. The transaction covers 11.1 K hectares in the State of Mato Grosso, including 8.9 K arable hectares, as well as grain silos and cotton-processing infrastructure. The acquisition received unconditional approval from the Brazilian competition authority. (SLC Agrícola – 10/30/26)
The Brazilian Development Bank and Petrobras announced approximately US$ 1.83 million in non-reimbursable funding to expand food production and processing in the semiarid region of the State of Bahia. The Sertão + Produtivo project will support 720 family farmers and 27 cooperatives and associations in 26 municipalities, including 11 processing facilities. (BNDES – 11/3/26)
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture confirmed a fourth Newcastle outbreak in the State of Santa Catarina, again in Nova Erechim. The three previously affected facilities were already under sanitary downtime. Mexico replaced the nationwide ban with poultry meat import restrictions limited to the State of Santa Catarina. (Ministry of Agriculture – 11/3/26)
The trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association took effect between Brazil and Norway on November 1st. Norway eliminated tariffs on refined vegetable oils, yeasts and several processed foods, while establishing preferences for agricultural products subject to quotas. (Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services – 10/31/26)
Aurora Coop and Bello Alimentos announced an agreement under which the cooperative would acquire Mar & Terra assets in Itaporã, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The transaction covers a fish-processing facility, a feed factory and fish farms. Completion remains subject to approval by the Brazilian competition authority and other contractual conditions. The transaction value was not disclosed. (Aurora Coop; Bello Alimentos – 10/29/26)
The Brazilian Federal Revenue Service extended the deadline for tax debt settlement programs under Notices No. 9 and No. 10/2026 to December 30th. The measure allows individuals and companies, including agribusinesses, to negotiate tax debts under administrative dispute according to the conditions of each notice. (Federal Revenue Service – 11/3/26)
Agribusiness exports from Brazil to the EU reached US$ 12.21 billion between May and September 2026 (+14.8%), during the first months of provisional application of the trade agreement. The soybean complex accounted for US$ 4.19 billion, up 34.2% from the same period in 2025. (Ministry of Agriculture – 11/1/26)
The Committee of Ministers in Chile upheld the environmental approval of the Puerto Exterior de San Antonio project, valued at US$ 4 billion. The development includes two new port terminals and expanded road and rail access. The decision followed a review of administrative appeals and does not mean construction has started. (Environmental Evaluation Service – 11/2/26)
Odepa updated the report on the oat market in Chile, covering production, trade and export destinations through September. The report tracks oat supplies for processing and export. (Odepa – 11/2/26)
The government of Colombia submitted a tax reform proposal to Congress that could change value-added tax (VAT) treatment for food and agricultural inputs. The bill would eliminate the reduced 5% rate from 2028 for products currently in that category and make changes to exemptions. The proposed changes remain subject to legislative approval. (Ministry of Finance; Lower House of Congress – 10/29/26)
The government of announced a plan to incorporate 400 K hectares into agricultural production in the Orinoquia region, prioritizing corn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palm and fruit. The proposal includes developing financing arrangements with terms of up to 20 years and investments in road corridors. The acreage expansion and credit terms remain subject to implementation. (Ministry of Agriculture – 10/29/26)
The Ministry of Agriculture in Colombia and beef and dairy industry representatives agreed on 11 workstreams, including credit, technical assistance, traceability, genetic improvement and market access. Implementation remains pending. (Ministry of Agriculture – 11/3/26)
Mexico resumed live cattle exports to the USA through Puerto Palomas in Chihuahua, with an initial shipment of 750 animals. The government reported average movements of approximately 3.5 K cattle per day across authorized crossings in Chihuahua and Sonora. (Senasica – 10/26/26)
Mexico opened new commercial fishing seasons for lobster, conch and oysters in several coastal regions in November. The calendar also establishes temporary restrictions for certain species that fishing companies must observe. (Conapesca – 10/29/26)
The Central Bank initiated resolution proceedings for Ueno Bank after finding that the solvency ratio had fallen below half the required minimum. The bank also financed agricultural businesses, including grain and sugarcane supply chains. The central bank described the case as isolated; impacts on agricultural credit have not yet been quantified. (Central Bank of Paraguay – 11/3/26)
The Paraguayan Chamber of Exporters and Traders of Grains and Oilseeds called for measures to speed up road shipments of soybeans, corn, wheat and rice from Paraguay to Brazil after meeting customs authorities in Ciudad del Este. The organization highlighted the need to reduce bottlenecks affecting cross-border freight traffic. (Capeco – 10/29/26)
International soybean, corn and wheat prices declined in October from September, according to a Capeco review of Chicago prices through October 23rd. Soybeans fell 2.2%, while corn and wheat each declined 8.3%. (Capeco – 10/30/26)
Alicorp, a Peruvian food and consumer goods group, completed the acquisition of Flora Food Group operations across approximately 30 Latin American and Caribbean markets for an enterprise value exceeding US$ 150 million. The transaction adds 19 acquired or licensed brands, including Dorina, Rama and La Danesa, as well as a manufacturing facility in Cali, Colombia. (Alicorp – 11/2/26)
The free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association entered into force on November 1st between Uruguay, Norway and Iceland. The treaty establishes tariff preferences and quotas for agricultural and industrial products, as well as rules on origin, services and investment. Implementation involving Switzerland and Liechtenstein remains subject to domestic procedures. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – 11/1/26)
Exports from Uruguay to the EU reached US$ 860 million between May and September 2026 (+12%). Of this total, US$ 38 million was traded under preferences in the Mercosur–European Union agreement, mainly covering beef, rice and honey. For beef under the Hilton quota, the agreement reduced the tariff from 20% to zero. (Ministry of Economy and Finance – 11/1/26)
Goods exports from Uruguay, including free trade zones, reached US$ 1.089 billion in October (+1%). Beef shipments totaled US$ 210 million and dairy exports US$ 118 million (+21%). (Uruguay XXI – 11/3/26)
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