Ecuador Expands Fusarium TR4 Surveillance After Flooding
Brazil
Yara reported net profit of US$ 199 million in 3Q26, down 37.8% year-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA fell 16% to US$ 675 million. The company attributed the decline to higher natural gas prices, deferred fertilizer purchases and operational problems that affected production. (Yara International)
The Fertilizer Purchasing Power Index (IPCF), calculated by Mosaic, fell 7% in September to 1.17, indicating improved fertilizer affordability for farmers in Brazil. Agricultural commodity prices rose by an average of 9%, while urea prices increased 12% and phosphate and potash fertilizer prices declined slightly. (Mosaic)
Agrinvest Commodities projected fertilizer deliveries in Brazil at 43.6 million tonnes in 2026, down 11% from 2025, followed by a recovery to 47.5 million tonnes in 2027. The estimates were presented at the Sindiadubos NPK Symposium held in Curitiba, State of Paraná, on October 22nd. (Sindiadubos-PR; Agrinvest Commodities)
Vylor, a seed and genetics company operating in Brazil, authorized a multi-year stock buypack program of up to US$ 3 billion. The authorization took effect immediately and has no expiration date, but does not imply full execution. The amount and timing of purchases will depend on market conditions and capital allocation decisions. (Vylor)
Fertimaxi appointed Eduardo Pereira as head of sales, based in Luís Eduardo Magalhães, State of Bahia. Pereira has previously spent seven years at Mosaic, where hold management positions. (Fertimaxi)
The Ministry of Agriculture intercepted the quarantine pest Cydia splendana in a 900 kg shipment of chestnuts from Italy at Guarulhos International Airport, State of São Paulo. The species is considered absent in the country. The shipment was fumigated with methyl bromide on October 16th and will be returned or destroyed. (MAPA)
FMC appointed Rodrigo Degelo Lorenzon global Marketing and Business Intelligence manager, based in Campinas, State of São Paulo. He has been with the company for more than five years and previously served as Business Intelligence manager. (FMC)
Embrapa and the University of São Paulo identified bacteria capable of reducing the severity of wheat diseases caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana by approximately 60% under controlled conditions. Pseudomonas inefficax showed the strongest results, promoting root development and increasing phosphorus availability. (Embrapa)
The Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of the State of Santa Catarina estimated economic benefits of approximately US$ 23 million from the No-Till Vegetable Production System in 2025. According to the institution, the system reduces production costs in an average of 33%. In evaluated chayote crops, it eliminated herbicide and fungicide use and reduced insecticide applications by 80%. (Epagri)
Researchers from ESALQ at the University of São Paulo identified reproductive diapause in two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) populations collected in the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso and São Paulo. The phenomenon interrupts egg laying, changes metabolism and may reduce exposure to acaricides. The study also examined a population from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, where diapause was not observed during the period of evaluation. (Insects, DOI: 10.3390)
Researchers from Embrapa identified Colletotrichum theobromicola as the pathogen causing anthracnose in onion flower stalks in Belém do São Francisco, State of Pernambuco. According to the study, this is the first reported occurrence worldwide of the species causing the disease in these structures. Approximately 10% of the evaluated plants showed symptoms. The occurrence may pose a risk to seed production, although seed transmission of the pathogen has not been demonstrated. (Journal of Phytopathology, DOI: 10.1111)
The Regional Labor Court of the 18th Region upheld the dismissal for cause of a farm worker who sprayed a haloxyfop-based herbicide instead of a fungicide in a corn field in Mineiros, State of Goiás. The spray destroyed approximately 100 hectares, resulting in estimated losses of US$ 181 K, according to the employer. The court found gross negligence after determining that the worker failed to check the product label. (TRT18)
Anvisa approved, following lawsuits, the toxicological evaluation of ZHONGSHAN’s diclosulam and IHARABRAS’s triclopyr-butotyl. (Federal Official Gazette, Resolutions-RE No. 4208 and 4209, dated 10/22/26 – published on 10/26/26; Anvisa)
Latin America
The National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) in Argentina analyzed 1,856 soil samples collected between 2020 and 2026 in southern and southeastern Buenos Aires Province. Half of the samples showed phosphorus availability below 12–15 ppm. In areas with low soil nitrogen-supplying capacity, nitrogen fertilization increased corn yields by an average of 3.1 tonnes/ha. (INTA)
SENASA in Argentina opened registration for citrus farms seeking to export fresh fruit during the 2026/27 season. Registration closes on November 13th. The procedure uses a new version of the citrus traceability system and covers markets including the EU, China, Brazil and Mexico, subject to destination-specific requirements. (SENASA)
The Agricultural and Livestock Service of Chile began evaluating South African practices to improve Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) control. Alternatives include the chilled adult sterile insect technique, digital monitoring and cost-sharing models involving public authorities and farmers. (SAG)
The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) lifted the phytosanitary emergency declared in March 2025 following the detection of Xylella fastidiosa in eight departments of Colombia: Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, La Guajira, Magdalena, Norte de Santander, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. The resolution repeals the previous emergency declaration but does not indicate that the pathogen has been eradicated. (Official Gazette of Colombia)
Agrocalidad expanded the surveillance radius for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 to eight kilometers in El Quemado, El Oro Province, Ecuador. The measure followed flooding that increased the risk of pathogen spread. The agency reinforced machinery and vehicle disinfection and began Trichoderma applications with support from the National Agricultural Research Institute. (Agrocalidad)
Pemex reported a 16% increase in fertilizer production in Mexico, including 36% growth in urea output. The company also reported higher production of phosphate fertilizers and other nitrogen-based fertilizers. The figures were presented by the federal government on October 21st. (Pemex; Presidency of Mexico)
BASF appointed Lilia Fiest Milde as country manager in Paraguay, responsible for the company’s commercial operations in the country. She has more than 28 years of experience in agribusiness and previously held positions at Monsanto, Bayer, Nutrien and Syngenta. (BASF)
The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation of Peru removed the standalone environmental risk evaluation procedure for pesticide registration from its administrative procedures catalog. The ministry clarified that the change aims to eliminate administrative duplication and does not abolish environmental evaluation, which remains under the competent authority within the registration process. (Official Gazette El Peruano)
A horticultural management program in Uruguay, conducted by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries in partnership with research institutions, achieved a reduction of more than 70% in synthetic pesticide use through biological tools and management practices. The initiative involved 180 farmers, 22 technical advisers and 15 field monitors, as well as subsidies for biological inputs. (MGAP)
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