Agrochemical Use in Argentina Increased by 2,000% Over the Past Few Decades
Brazil
Ministry of Agriculture published the cancellation of 5 pesticide registrations and 3 pesticide registration requests. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 21 – published on 4/13/26, Ministry of Agriculture)
According to a report by AllierBrasil Consulting, Anvisa approved 40 toxicological evaluations in 2026 in accordance with court decisions, up to April 14th, with BIORISK (6), RAINBOW (6) and SOMAX AGRO (6) standing out, which together represent 45% of the total. (AllierBrasil)
In compliance with court decisions, Anvisa approved toxicological evaluations of glyphosate (SOMAX AGRO) and fomesafen 250 g/L SL (AGROBEATS). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 1453 and 1454 – published on 4/13/2026, Anvisa)
Brazil’s fertilizer industry warns of a risk of contraction in 2026. The Union of the Fertilizer and Agricultural Lime Industry of Paraná estimated a decline of up to 15% in the market, citing the geopolitical scenario, the taxation of the Social Integration Program and Social Security Financing Contribution on fertilizers since April 1st, and Provisional Measure 1.343/2026 on minimum freight rates. According to the entity, imports and purchases have slowed despite the record 49 million tonnes delivered in 2025. (Sindiadubos-PR)
Rising sulfur and sulfuric acid prices have raised alarm in the fertilizer industry, with executives acknowledging a real risk of supply shortages in the field. Experts reported plant stoppages, cost pressure, higher freight rates and the possibility of reduced fertilizer use by farmers, especially for phosphates. The sector is also considering shifting part of demand to lower-analysis products. (Argus)
Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil authorized Rogério Pereira da Silva, head of the Formulated Products Registration Division of pesticides area, to travel abroad to attend the AgroCare Latam 26 Forum in Montevideo, Uruguay. The event, focused on promoting sustainable development and innovation in the regional agricultural sector, will take place from April 12 to 15, 2026, under the theme “Driving Development: From Information to Action”. (MAPA)
The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources started a 60-day public consultation on a proposed normative instruction establishing procedures for registration, registration amendment, reanalysis, environmental assessment and control of pesticides, environmental control products and related products. (Ibama)
Mosaic announced the shutdown and decommissioning of its Mining and Chemical Complex in Araxá and the suspension of related mining activities at the Patrocínio Complex in the State of Minas Gerais as part of a strategy to reduce costs and reallocate capital. The company also plans to pursue the sale of its Araxá assets while continuing to assess the niobium opportunity in Patrocínio. According to the company, the move is expected to reduce Mosaic Fertilizantes’ annual phosphate production by about 1 million tonnes. (The Mosaic Company)
The District Committee for Health Surveillance of Populations Exposed to Pesticides strengthened its oversight actions focused on pesticides in the Federal District in 2026, with technical support from the Ministry of Health. The initiative by the Federal District Health Department includes the monitoring of these substances in water and food, issuing bulletins, and coordinating different health areas to protect rural populations and other exposed groups. (Federal District Health Department)
Fertilizer imports in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul decreased 57.57% in the first two months of 2026, to 7,900 tonnes, driven mainly by a sharp decline in nitrogen fertilizer purchases. According to the Soybean Farmers’ Association of Mato Grosso do Sul, the movement reflects adjustments in input purchasing pace amid production costs and international market conditions, at a time of greater global volatility caused by tensions in the Middle East. (Aprosoja MS)
The Agriculture Committee of the Federal Chamber of Deputies (Lower House of Congress) approved requests to hold public hearings on the new pesticides legislation and the crisis affecting Brazil’s garlic production chain. One of the debates is expected to address the implementation of the new law, including concerns about the unified digital system, coordination by the Ministry of Agriculture and registration and re-evaluation procedures. (Brazilian Lower House of Congress)
Families involved with the Landless Workers’ Movement reported pesticide poisoning after a spraying operation carried out on March 28th in Perobal, State of Paraná, near the Benedito Gomes encampment. According to the complaint, around 20 people showed symptoms such as throat irritation, coughing and headaches, and the drift may also have reached a collective bean crop. The case was reported to public authorities, including the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources and the Paraná Agricultural Defense Agency. (Landless Workers’ Movement)
CropLife Brasil and the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee of Brazil launched a new free online course on resistance management in the farms. Available on the CropLife Conecta platform, the training track includes 6 modules and 14 video lessons with technical guidance on preventing and controlling herbicide-resistant weeds. The content covers crop rotation, rotation of modes of action, rational herbicide use, seedbank management and drift risk mitigation. (CropLife Brasil)
Embrapa Soybean launched, during TecnoShow Comigo in Rio Verde, State of Goiás, a free online course on the control of goosegrass, now available on the e-Campo platform. With a total workload of four hours, the training is designed to guide agronomists, growers and students on the characteristics of Eleusine indica, its impact on production systems and the most appropriate management strategies. The weed has become increasingly relevant in Brazilian farms, especially due to control difficulties and cases of herbicide resistance. (Embrapa Soja)
Smooth pigweed, Amaranthus hybridus, is expanding across soybean farms in southern and southeastern Brazil, increasing concern regarding the management of hard-to-control weeds. According to specialists, the spread is associated with herbicide resistance and seed dissemination caused by farm machinery, requiring measures such as equipment cleaning, straw cover maintenance, cultivars with new biotechnologies and careful use of pre-emergence herbicides. The weed is also creating commercial problems, with Brazilian soybean shipments being rejected by importers because of the presence of its seeds. (Embrapa)
Federal Government is expected to align a coordinated agenda for 2026 between the ministries of Agriculture and Agrarian Development, focused on regulating the bioinputs and pesticides laws, as well as advancing sanitary inclusion for family farming. According to Minister Fernanda Machiaveli, the plan includes simplifying inspection rules for small agro-industries, expanding legal market access for their products and moving forward with the regulation of Law 15070/2024, with priority given to on-farm bioinput production by farmers, cooperatives and rural associations. (Government of Brazil)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil has established the soybean sanitary fallow periods and planting calendar for the 2026/27 season across all States. The measure aims to reduce Asian soybean rust by requiring the absence of live soybean plants during specific periods and by defining official sowing windows. In States such as Mato Grosso, Goiás, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Bahia, the deadlines vary according to the production region. (MAPA)
Fertilizantes Heringer fertilizer company announced on April 9th the resignation of Gustavo Oubinha Barreiro and the election of Daniil Bazdyrev as the company’s new chief executive officer and vice chairman, with a term running until the 2027 annual shareholders’ meeting. (Fertilizantes Heringer)
Latin America
According to a report by the National University of Río Cuarto in Argentina, agrochemical use in the country has increased by 2,000% over the past decades, rising from 30 million to 600 million L. The study warns of impacts on aquifers in the Chaco-Pampean plain, including the detection of atrazine in groundwater, and links prolonged exposure to environmental and health risks in rural communities. Researchers argue for stricter regulation and agroecological alternatives. (UNRC)
Argentine startup Unibaio has developed a powder additive made from shrimp waste to improve plant uptake of agrochemicals and reduce losses in field applications. The technology, created with support from researchers at Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council and the National University of Mar del Plata, has already been tested in potato farms in Argentina and in Chile. The company has raised US$ 1.7 million and expects to generate US$ 1 million in revenue in 2026, while expanding into new crops and markets. (Unibaio)
At the Central Region Productive Forum, the Economic Development Minister of Entre Ríos, Argentina, Guillermo Bernaudo presented a discussion about the regulation of drone use for agrochemical application. The meeting also moved forward with the harmonization of licensing requirements for applicators, aiming to allow operators already certified in one province to work legally across Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba. The measure is intended to align rules and expand the use of new technologies in regional agriculture. (Ministry of Economic Development of Entre Ríos)
In Venezuela, agronomists are calling for a gradual plan to reduce dependence on agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers through precision agriculture, soil analysis, biofertilizers, composting and crop rotation. The proposal, backed by the Venezuelan Society of Agronomists and Food Engineers and sector specialists, comes amid rising input costs, reliance on imports and limited domestic production. According to the experts, the transition will require at least five years of training and changes in farm management. (Venezuelan Society of Agronomists and Food Engineers)
