In Colombia, Fertilizer Prices Have Risen by More Than 50%
Brazil
The Ministry of Agriculture published 54 requests for the registration of biopesticides and announced the approval of 45 registrations of formulated products; 12 applications were withdrawn – at the request of registrant companies; 2 product registrations were canceled. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Acts No. 18 – 20, published 4/7/26, Ministry of Agriculture)
The Brazilian Association of Fine Chemicals, Biotechnology and their Specialties unanimously elected its new board for 2026–2028, with Marcelo Mansur as president of the Administrative Council. (Abifina)
In compliance with court decisions, Anvisa approved the toxicological evaluations of 2,4-D 806 g/L SL (Proregistros); acetamiprid 250 + bifenthrin 250 g/kg WG and ametryn 500 g/L SC (Biorisk); sulfur 800 + spirodiclofen 25 g/kg WG (SM Agrocare); diquat dibromide (Zhongshan); benzovindiflupyr 15 + mancozeb 450 + prothioconazole 35 g/L SC (Syngenta); chlorantraniliprole 60 + chlorfenapyr 400 g/L SC (Rainbow). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 1299-1303 and 1307-1308 – published on 4/6/26; Res. No. 1370 – published on 4/7/26, Anvisa)
UPL announced Cristiano Figueiredo as its new CEO in Brazil, succeeding Rogério Castro in a transition planned over the past few years. (UPL)
The Ministry of Environment launched a digital platform for reporting irregular pesticide use, expanding public access to regulatory authorities. The initiative is part of the National Program for Pesticide Reduction. (MMA)
CropLife Brasil announces Ana Repezza as its new president, with her term set to begin on May 4th. The executive was selected by the organization’s Board of Directors after a structured selection process, bringing over 25 years of experience in trade policy and investment attraction. (CropLife Brasil)
National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biological Industry reported that Brazil surpassed US$ 979 million in the biological inputs market in the 2024/25 season, ranking among the world’s top three, alongside the USA and China, with up to 18% of the global market and around 50% of Latin America. (ANPII Bio)
National Union of the Plant Protection Industry announces its new board for 2026–2029, with Antonio Mauricio Haddad Marques as Chairman. (Sindiveg)
The increase of fertilizer prices, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, are expected to increase production costs for the next season in Brazil and pressure farmers’ profitability. The immediate impact is limited, but it is likely to intensify in the next cycle, especially due to Brazil’s dependence on imports for around 85% of its supply. (FGV Agro)
Yara and PepsiCo announce the harvest of the first low-carbon potato in Brazil, with up to a 40% reduction in carbon footprint through the use of lower-emission fertilizers. The pilot project involved six farmers in Paraná and incorporates regenerative agriculture practices, with potential to expand to other crops. (Yara; PepsiCo)
Ibama seized approximately 20 tonnes of irregular pesticides in western of State of São Paulo during Operation Ceres, identifying expired products, improper storage and misuse. The action also investigates environmental impacts, such as bee mortality and reinforces oversight of chemical inputs use. (Ibama)
The Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of São Paulo warned that products registered at Anvisa as household sanitizers cannot be used, recommended or sold for ag purposes, including those classified as “free sale” or “restricted sale.” The agency highlighted that these products are intended for sanitation and disinfection in non-agricultural environments and do not qualify as registered pesticides. Companies were advised to review inventories, advertising and technical guidance to avoid irregularities, which may be subject to administrative penalties. (Agricultural Defense Agency of São Paulo)
The Ministry of Agriculture published an Ordinance regulating the phytosanitary certificate of origin, setting rules for the movement of regulated articles within Brazil and establishing the National System for Phytosanitary Certification of Origin – Sinfito. The measure also defines pest risk management options for export certification of plant products and other regulated articles. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance SDA/MAPA No. 1578 – published on 4/7/26, Ministry of Agriculture)
Embrapa’s Wheat Unit launched the wheat cultivar BRS Savana, developed for tropical areas, at TecnoShow Comigo in Rio Verde, State of Goiás. The variety stands out for its partial resistance to wheat blast (head blight), caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, as well as good baking quality and an estimated average yield of 83 bags/ha. The technology incorporates the 2NS chromosomal segment, which contributes to improved plant health. (Embrapa)
The biopesticides market for sugarcane reached US$ 140 million in 2025, up 39% year over year, with biofungicides standing out by expanding MS to 34%. Biologicals now account for 8.7% of the crop protection market, cover 12.9% of the treated area (13.5 million hectares) and are present in 60% of the cultivated area. Market expansion is also reflected in the growing number of companies and products available. (Kynetec Brasil)
Paulo Yvan Schalcher de Almeida, previously Crop Solutions Director, will take over as Regional Sales Director – Southeast/Northeast at Yara Brazil starting in April. (Yara Brasil)
Delivery of fertilizers reached 3.87 million tonnes in January of 2026, up 5.3% year over year, with the State of Mato Grosso accounting for 29.7% of the total amount, according to the National Association for the Diffusion of Fertilizers. (ANDA)
Embrapa’s Soybean and Caramuru Alimentos launched the BRS 579 soybean cultivar, combining high yield potential with STS technology, providing tolerance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides (sulfonylureas) and expanding weed management options. The variety also shows moderate tolerance to root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) and resistance to races 3 and 14 of soybean cyst nematodes, strengthening its phytosanitary profile. (Embrapa; Caramuru Alimentos)
The Court of Justice of São Paulo ordered Syngenta to compensate a farmer after their crop insurance had been denied, as the cultivar used was not compliant with the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning, despite being marketed as suitable for the region. The ruling highlights the importance of Zarc compliance for insurance coverage. (TJ-SP)
The Ministry of Agriculture continued the unified queue model for pesticide registration, initiated in 2025 with the centralization of process distribution. MAPA forwarded to Anvisa and Ibama a new list of registration processes for review, in compliance with Act No. 62/2025. A total of 57 biological product submissions were included, of which 43 are classified as low-impact and 14 are intended for organic agriculture. The document also requests updates on previously distributed processes still under review, indicating progress in implementing the new regulatory workflow. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Official Notice No. 1/2026/CGAA/DSV/SDA – published on 4/7/26, Ministry of Agriculture)
Latin America
In Argentina, the Reconquista Regional Unit of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), in Santa Fe province, recorded 384 occurrences of the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) between November 2025 and January 2026 in northeastern Santa Fe, with higher incidence at advanced crop stages. Molecular analyses identified pathogens associated with the corn stunt complex, including spiroplasma (CSS) and maize rayado fino virus (MRFV), the latter showing wide regional distribution. (INTA Reconquista)
In Argentina, the “Frente de Todos” bloc of council members, a center-left Peronist coalition, pushed for a public hearing in Tandil, an agricultural municipality in Buenos Aires Province, to discuss new regulations on agrochemical use. (Frente de Todos)
Syngenta reported EBITDA of US$ 4.4 billion in 2025, up 13%, despite a slight decline in revenue. In Latin America, performance was pressured by pricing and currency effects, with stronger competition from generics, while Brazil stood out in the seeds segment, with sales growing 17%. (Syngenta)
Agronomist Marcelo Figueira is the new director of fungicides for Latin America at Bayer. (Bayer Crop Science)
In Colombia, fertilizer prices have risen by more than 50% over the past year, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and logistical constraints in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global input trade. Urea, the main imported fertilizer, has seen sharp price increases, while the country’s high import dependence raises the risk of higher production costs and food inflation in the coming months. (Analdex; SAC; DANE)
In Costa Rica, higher-risk agrochemicals will require a digital agronomic recommendation starting in July of 2026, enabling authorities to track buyers, usage, crops and volumes, strengthening monitoring and enforcement. (Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica)
The Ministry of Agricultural Development and the Agricultural Innovation Institute of Panama have launched a strategic plan to restore cashew production in the Dry Arc, a region facing severe decline due to an aggressive fungal complex (Colletotrichum, Lasiodiplodia
In Paraguay, Grupo Somax, in partnership with Blend Agriscience, will inaugurate an agrochemical plant in Hernandarias, with a US$ 50 million investment and production capacity of 100 million L/year, aiming to supply local and the Mercosur market. (Grupo Somax)
