Nearly Half of Pesticides Approved in Latin America Are Not Allowed in the EU
Brazil
Anvisa approved, in compliance with court decisions, the toxicological evaluation of a formulated product based on lambda-cyhalothrin (Pilarquim); and a formulated product based on thiabendazole (CHDS). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. 2648 and 2649 – published on 07/06/26, Anvisa)
The Ministry of Agriculture announced the approval of 92 registrations of equivalent technical products. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Act No. 39 – published on 07/07/26, MAPA)
Lower sulfur imports have increased phosphate fertilizer production costs in Brazil. From January to May 2026, the country purchased 630 thousand tonnes, down 45.7% from 2025, while port prices exceeded US$ 1,200/t. This scenario increases the importance of adjusting source, rate and application to improve fertilizer efficiency. (Sinprifert; StoneX; ICL Growing Solutions)
Late purchases of fertilizers continue to pressure Brazil’s soybean crop, especially phosphate products. Brazil imported a record 45.5 million tonnes of fertilizers in 2025, but costs remain high and purchases made outside the best timing increased fertilization costs in several producing regions. For the 2026/27 season, soybean farmers had purchased 68% of the expected fertilizer volume by the 1H of June, below the five-year average of 75%. Monoammonium phosphate imports totaled approximately 1 million tonnes from January to May of 2026, the lowest volume since 2018. Some farmers may reduce phosphate fertilization, increasing the risk of yield losses. (Conab; CNA/Senar; Esalq-Cepea; Agrinvest Commodities; Veeries; Secex; Rabobank; Itaú BBA)
Brazil is seeking to reduce external dependence on fertilizers through new mining, logistics, and industrial production projects. The National Mining Plan 2050 forecasts a reduction in dependence on phosphate and potassium fertilizers from 87.3% to 34.9% over 25 years, with the greatest expansion potential in phosphate. In the State of Tocantins, ETG Fertilizers will install its first industrial operation in the country, with a capacity of up to 200 thousand tonnes/year. (MME; ETG Fertilizantes)
Research and projects in Brazil aim to increase efficiency and circularity in fertilizer use. Researchers are developing a fertilizer based on metal-organic frameworks, designed to release nutrients into the soil in a controlled way, with tests in sugarcane, soybean, corn and coffee and preliminary results showing higher biomass, greater phosphorus availability in tropical soils, lower soil CO₂ flow, and increased soil microbial biomass carbon. The University of São Paulo inaugurated a plant capable of converting organic waste into energy, biomethane, and biofertilizers, with capacity to process 25 tonnes/day of waste and generate digestate, a byproduct of biodigesters, containing recovered fertilizers. (USP; Unesp; Shell Brasil; Fapesp; Quanticum; Moftech; Institute of Energy and Environment)
The Brazilian Senate’s Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Committee debated the implementation of Law No. 14785/2023, the pesticides law, which is still pending federal regulation. Senator Jaime Bagattoli said the lack of regulation creates legal uncertainty and delays the registration of new products. MAPA also questioned registration timelines, while Anvisa and Ibama defended maintaining strict technical assessments for human health and environmental risks. Anvisa highlighted there is no hierarchy between the agencies and the process remains based on agronomic, toxicological, and environmental evaluations. (Agência Senado)
Pesticide drift is increasing pressure for new spraying rules in southern Brazil. In the State of Rio Grande do Sul, the State Court prohibited the use of hormonal herbicides containing 2,4-D in Campanha Gaúcha, a region in the southern part of the State, and imposed restrictions on applications within 50 m of apple orchards and vineyards in other areas. The State of Rio Grande do Sul should present a monitoring and inspection system and define exclusion zones. In the State of Paraná, the Legislative Assembly held a public hearing to discuss Bill No. 116/2021, which proposes minimum distances for pesticide applications near schools, hospitals, healthcare units, water sources, preservation areas, and other sensitive zones. (Court of Justice of the State of Rio Grande do Sul; Legislative Assembly of Paraná)
Brazil’s Federal Court in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul denied a preliminary request by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office to freeze US$ 58 million in assets and suspend sales of atrazine-based products in a Public Civil Action over alleged contamination of the Dourados River Basin. Case No. 5003565-24.2025.4.03.6002 was filed against manufacturers, importers, and sellers of pesticides containing atrazine, as well as Ibama, and remains pending. (MPF; Federal Court)
Embrapa’s research is expanding the potential use of biological control in different crops. In corn, a study indicates the association of the fungus Beauveria bassiana with plants may increase the attraction of Telenomus podisi, a parasitoid and natural enemy of the green-belly stink bug (Dichelops melacanthus), by modifying volatile organic compounds emitted by the plant. In cassava, researchers recorded for the first time the occurrence of Trichogramma marandobai and Trichogramma pretiosum in crops in Brazil’s Federal District, species that parasitize insect eggs and may support control programs against the cassava hornworm (Erinnyis ello). (Embrapa; Entomological Communications)
Pressure from nematodes, fungi, and oomycetes in corn farms in the Cerrado Biome has increased under intensive systems, such as soybean-corn succession. According to Senio Matheus Telles, seed treatment specialist at BASF, problems such as Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne incognita, Bipolaris maydis, Diplodia maydis and Pythium spp. affect roots, stalks and leaves, reducing early vigor and plant stability until harvest. Seed treatment is presented as a strategic tool to protect the crop’s initial stage and integrate disease and nematode management. (BASF)
Lower incidence of pests and diseases and the adaptation of crops to conditions imposed by climate change are among the benefits of the No-Till Vegetable Production System. The technology will be demonstrated by Embrapa’s Vegetables Unit during a field day on July 9th, with focus on tomato, leafy greens, pumpkins and Peruvian carrot crops. The system also contributes to reduced use of inputs, soil conservation and greater thermal and water comfort for plants. (Embrapa)
Overall 1.9% decline in ag pesticide prices in June, with decreases in fungicides, insecticides, selective herbicides, and biologicals. Non-selective herbicides posted a slight increase of 0.2%. The survey monitors more than 700 commercial brands and collects more than 10 thousand prices each month in the Brazilian market. (Kynetec)
The Herbicide Resistance Action Committee warned that Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum, is becoming a threat to winter grain crops. Resistant populations to different mechanisms of action make control more difficult and require strategic planning. Recommendations include rotating mechanisms of action, using pre-emergence herbicides when possible, applying products at the early growth stage of the weed and adopting practices such as cover crops. (HRAC-BR)
Piérri Spolti was promoted by Bayer to Head of Breeding and Plant Health. At Cogny, a biologicals business ecosystem that includes Simbiose, Bioma, Biagro, Biograss, Biojet, and Orygen, Derik Chamberlain became Executive Commercial Director and Luiz Felipe Fiorese became the new leader of Marketing and Communications. Ricardo Eguchi became CFO at Ourofino Agrociência, with a focus on financial management guided by data, technology, efficiency, and capital discipline. (Bayer; Cogny; Ourofino Agrociência)
Agricultural drones will be the subject of an online seminar by Brazil’s National Union of Agricultural Aviation Companies on July 7th, focusing on the use of the technology in viticulture. The event, supported by the Institute of Management, Planning and Development of Viticulture of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, will discuss applications in vineyards, operational efficiency, waste reduction, sustainability and regulation. The agenda includes specialists from Brazil and Portugal. (Sindag; Consevitis-RS)
The State of São Paulo changed greening control rules in citrus farming and began classifying municipalities according to disease incidence. In high-incidence areas, mandatory removal no longer applies to affected adult trees and will be required only for plants up to three years old. In low-incidence regions, removal remains mandatory for plants of all ages. The rule also updates requirements for interstate transport of citrus plants. (SAA-SP; Defesa Agropecuária-SP)
Study with farmers in eight Brazilian States in the Atlantic Forest Biome indicated low perceived crop losses caused by fire ants. Although 85.1% of respondents reported being stung and most identified the insects on their farms, 70.8% said they observed no negative impact on production. Researchers recommend continuous monitoring due to changes in land use and climate. (UMC; Fatec-MC; MZUSP; MPEG; University of Hohenheim)
Latin America
Research analyzed pesticide active ingredients approved in eight countries in Latin America — Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Uruguay — for ten different crops. Researchers identified 523 active ingredients approved in the region, of which 256, or 48.9%, are not allowed in the EU. In Brazil, the study identified 115 approved active ingredients that are not authorized in the European bloc. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1098/
DeepAgro, a startup from Argentina focused on AI-based selective spraying, raised US$ 3 million in a pre-Series A round to expand commercial operations in Brazil. The company’s SprAI technology uses sensors and cameras attached to sprayers to identify weeds in real time and apply herbicides only where needed. In tests covering more than 22 thousand hectares of soybeans and cotton at Amaggi farms, the company says it achieved average herbicide savings of 71%. The startup is also testing the technology in sugarcane farms with Adecoagro and is negotiating a partnership with agricultural machinery manufacturers. (DeepAgro)
Argentina eliminated export taxes on major fertilizer products, such as urea and ammonium sulfate, through Decree No. 566/2026. Although the country still imports much of the fertilizers it consumes, the measure may gain relevance if projects to expand urea production move forward. In 2025, Argentina consumed 5.1 million tonnes of fertilizers, produced 1.6 million and exported only 107 thousand tonnes. (Government of Argentina)
Low nutrient replacement in the soil is raising concern among soybean researchers and farmers in Argentina. According to Daniel Ploper, researcher and plant pathologist, recent studies show deterioration in nutrient levels in the country’s agricultural soils. Ploper said Argentine agriculture has sustained production at the expense of soil fertility and that the continuation of this trend may reduce productivity in the coming years. (Fertilizar; Acsoja; INTA)
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