Total Soybean Harvest Area Has Reached 24.97%
Brazil
Anvisa publishes voluntary withdrawal requests of toxicological evaluation of technical clethodim (Ascenza), flutriafol (Cropchem), atrazine (Ouro Fino), 2,4-D (Gaia), and permethrin (UPL). (Official gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 383 from 01/29/2026, Anvisa)
Morro Verde Fertilizantes has formalized merger with Massari Fértil, combining phosphate expertise and customized solution intelligence for the natural mixed mineral fertilizer market in Brazil. Backed by shareholders and directors, the new company solidifies its position as a strategic player in agribusiness. (Morro Verde Fertilizantes)
José Ovidio Bessa assumes the position of CEO at Life Agro. (Life Agro)
Researchers from the Epagri (Santa Catarina Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company) Experimental Station in Urussanga have released a management guide for the primary pest affecting cassava, the cassava shoot fly (Neosilba perezi), which damages the apical meristem and drastically reduces crop vigor and productivity in the State of Santa Catarina. Based on studies conducted between 2016 and 2024, the material provides guidance on integrated control using chemical, biological and cultural methods. The focus is to mitigate damage during the critical stage of vegetative development. (Epagri)
Joint study with the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), Embrapa and the Epagri estimates the corn leafhopper caused losses of US$ 25.8 billion between the 2020/2021 and 2023/2024 harvests, reducing national production by 22.7%. Published in the scientific journal Crop Protection, the survey highlights that the stunting complex transmitted by the insect has become a systemic risk, increasing control costs by 19% and compromising Brazil’s competitiveness in the global market. The data reinforce the urgent need for public policies and continuous monitoring to mitigate losses that, in severe cases, can decimate entire crops. (CNA)
The Court of Justice of Mato Grosso State (TJ–MT) has upheld the joint and several liability of both the manufacturer and the retailer for defects in pasture seeds with low germination rates, granting indemnification to a farmer. The unanimous decision confirmed the product failure, proven by laboratory tests, compromised pasture formation despite proper management. While immediate material damages were upheld based on documented costs, loss of profits will be recalculated in a subsequent settlement phase to determine the exact amount of lost revenue. (TJ–MT)
The National Institute of Meteorology forecast for February 2026 indicates above-average rainfall in the Southeast and parts of the North, favoring the development of summer grains and coffee crops. Conversely, the Midwest and South will face water deficits and high temperatures, increasing the risk of heat stress for first-crop yields. However, the drier conditions in these regions will benefit the maturation and harvest of soybeans and corn, ensuring better operational quality. (Inmet)
Ibama has launched an interactive dashboard this year to expand access to the tracking of bio-input registrations for phytosanitary control in agriculture. The tool replaces static spreadsheets with intuitive graphics that allow for real-time analysis of application flows, categorized into conventional, organic and post-registration agriculture. By providing full transparency regarding the status and queue position of biological, semiochemical and biochemical products, the agency aims to optimize environmental quality management. (Ibama)
Diego Borelli has assumed the position of Latam CP Strategy & Planning Director. (Bayer)
Federal Police launched Operation Migalhas to dismantle a criminal organization involved in corruption, pesticide smuggling and money laundering along the western border of the State of Paraná. The operation resulted in four arrest warrants and ten search and seizure warrants, as well as court-ordered asset freezes and the seizure of companies linked to the suspects across four states and the Federal District. (Federal Police of Brazil)
Brazil set a historic record in 2025 by importing 45.5 million tonnes of fertilizers, a 2.68% increase that signals producer confidence in expanding planted areas and productivity. Simultaneously, exports of soybeans, corn, and soybean meal reached 172.3 million tonnes, driven by the logistics performance of the Northern Arc and Paranaguá ports. (Conab)
Agrion, an organomineral fertilizer company, announced an investment of US$ 9.19 million to build a new fertilizer plant in partnership with Enersugar, a sugar and ethanol producer. The facility will be built adjacent to Enersugar’s mill in Ibirarema, State of São Paulo, with the participation of NovAmérica, one of Brazil’s major sugarcane producers. The project is financed through Agribusiness Receivables Certificates, will have a production capacity of 50 thousand tonnes, and will use residues from sugarcane processing as raw material. (Enersugar)
The Senate is to vote on Provisional Measure 1312/2025, which authorizes an extraordinary credit of US$ 15.98 million for Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to combat animal and agricultural pests and diseases. The funds will be used for actions such as controlling plant and animal diseases, including avian influenza, with part of the amount allocated to current expenditures, investments, and transfers to state governments. (Agência Senado)
The Bill 823/25 proposes the automatic registration for fertilizers and agricultural inputs already certified by BRICS member nations, within 15 days, aiming to lower production costs in Brazil. Currently under review in the Chamber of Deputies, the proposal establishes that any delay in approval grants immediate authorization for commercialization without penalties and waives the requirement for foreign manufacturers to establish a specific legal entity in the country. (Chamber of Deputies Portal)
The weekly bulletin from the State of Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (IMEA) shows the total soybean harvested area has reached 24.97% of by the end of January. In the financial market, the 24/25 crop commercialization is nearly complete (99.44%), while forward sales for the 25/26 season reached 44.14%, with an average price of US$ 20.79/bag of 60 kg. Despite progress in the field, production costs for the 2026/27 cycle rose by 0.54%, reaching US$ 805.53 per hectare, which pushes the break-even point to 53.48 bags of 60 kg/ha and demands farmers caution regarding operating profit margins. (IMEA)
The State of Goiás Agriculture and Livestock Federation (FAEG) and the Institute for the Strengthening of Agriculture in the State of Goiás (IFAG) are urging farmers in the state to increase vigilance against soybean Asian rust. Preventive monitoring is essential, as the Rio Verde Rural Union laboratory has already analyzed 260 samples this season to mitigate losses. Nationally, there are 144 recorded outbreaks of the disease, with recent cases in Correntina, State of Bahia. The State of Paraná leads in occurrences, followed by the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, reinforcing the need for frequent inspections and laboratory diagnosis to ensure effective phytosanitary management. (FAEG/IFAG)
The Brazilian tobacco sector solidified circular economy model in 2025 with the record recycling of nearly 23 thousand tonnes of tobacco dust, transformed into the organic fertilizer “Fertileaf.” The input uses biotechnology and industrial ashes to return to rural properties, totaling more than 175 thousand tonnes reused over the last 12 years. The process, certified by MAPA and Ecocert stamp, stands out for its sustainability by using 100% solar energy and reused water, ensuring that industrial waste returns to the production chain to improve crop productivity with low environmental impact. (SindiTabaco)
Latin América
The National Agricultural Health and Quality Service (Senasa) has declared a phytosanitary alert throughout Argentina due to the threat of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). This highly destructive quarantine pest is present in Uruguay but remains absent from Argentine territory. Resolution 1218/2024 establishes protocols for surveillance, early detection and eradication, while also creating an Inter-institutional Technical Committee to coordinate public-private actions against the insect, which is capable of decimating more than 35 palm species. (Senasa)
The National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa) has intensified inspections and technical guidance at pesticide retail outlets in Peru to ensure the exclusive sale of registered and authorized products. With 25 inspections scheduled for 2026, the initiative focuses on agrifood chain safety by combating prohibited pesticides and promoting proper storage based on toxicity levels. Beyond rigorous enforcement, the strategy prioritizes professional training and the requirement of technical prescriptions for highly toxic inputs. (Senasa)
The Official Gazette of the Federation of Mexico (DOF) published a resolution establishing import quotas for ammonium sulfate from the USA and China for the year 2026. The measure aims to balance the domestic fertilizer market, ensuring supply for Mexican agriculture while monitoring prices and international competition. The text defines specific volumes that may enter the country under tariff preferences, strengthening regulatory control over strategic inputs for food production in Mexico. (DOF, Published on 02/03/2026)
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