Brazil Leads the Use of Bioinputs in Agriculture
Brazil
AgroGalaxy reported a loss of US$ 285.7 million in Q32024, with a 48.6% decline in net revenue from July to September compared to the same period in 2023. The company, which is under bankruptcy protection (similar to USA Chapter 11), has a debt of US$ 660,7 million. On Tuesday, 21, it was announced the credit portfolio was sold. (AgroGalaxy)
Anvisa publishes the approval of a toxicological evaluation act for the registration of products with new microbiological active ingredient in Brazil. Biotrinsic N465 WP, Indigo 465, Biotrinsic Defender, and Nemablocker, from Indigo Brazil, are included. (Anvisa)
Ministry of Agriculture published Act No. 2 in the Official Gazette, which includes the cancellation of 16 pesticide registrations. (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock)
Biotrop has announced Jonas Hipólito as its new president. (Biotrop)
PHC Brasil kicked off 2025 with three new hires: Lucas Siqueira as Head of New Business Development, Ferdinando Silva leading the Research and Development department, and João Renato Rodrigues Antonio joining the Commercial team in Alfenas, in the State of Minas Gerais. (PHC Brasil)
Researchers from the University of São Paulo discovered that the fungus Trichoderma can be an effective ally in controlling Neopestalotiopsis, a disease in strawberries. The study showed the application of Trichoderma reduces the incidence of the disease. (USP)
In December 2024, the Fertilizer Purchasing Power Index recorded 1.05, higher than the previous month. (Mosaic)
Aerial pesticide spraying in the State of Maranhão has been affecting communities. In 2024, the state recorded 156 cases of pesticide contamination, a significant increase compared to 19 cases the previous year. To combat this practice, organizations such as the Articulation of Social Pastoral/Repam and Cáritas Regional Maranhão have launched a campaign to create a state law against aerial pesticide spraying. (CPT/MA; RAMA)
On December 30, 2024, Amaggi obtained a license to produce pesticides at its own plant in Cuiabá, in the State of Mato Grosso, with a capacity of 283,335 liters per month. The company stated the factory will produce bioinputs from living organisms. However, the description of the activity as pesticide manufacturing raises concerns about environmental impacts and human health, especially in a sensitive region like the Pantanal. (Amaggi)
Embrapa has partnered with Agrosmart to bring connectivity and digital technology to small and medium-sized farmers for pest management. (Embrapa)
Use of pesticides in western of the State of Pará has led to 92 reported cases of poisoning between 2000 and 2024, a 123% increase in deaths from neoplasms, and a 667% rise in deaths from nervous system diseases between 2000 and 2020. (Ufopa; Sinam)
Agricultural Defense Agency of the State of Goiás advises farmers and the population to purchase citrus seedlings only from nurseries registered at the Agency and at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, aiming to prevent the spread of pests such as Citrus Canker and HLB (Greening). The legislation prohibits open-field nurseries and the street sale of seedlings, requiring production in screened nurseries and proper documentation for commercialization. (Agrodefesa; Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock)
Adjuvants are crucial for improving adherence and penetration in pesticide applications, though they don’t have direct phytosanitary effects. Regulations are being discussed to ensure their effectiveness while minimizing risks. (Ministry of Agriculture; Embrapa)
Cooperativa Tradição and Corteva Agriscience have partnered to enhance the use of innovative technologies in agricultural production and increase crop productivity. This collaboration involves utilizing Corteva’s solutions, such as seeds and crop protection products, across various regions served by the cooperative. (Cooperativa Tradição; Corteva)
Brazil leads in the use of bioinputs in agriculture, with 14% of the planted area using these kind of products. (ABBIns)
Production of biofertilizers by Organogreen has sparked controversy due to claims of pollution and an increase in insects. The company, operating without permits, defends its sustainable use of organic waste. The São Paulo Environmental Company is investigating the request for a Preliminary License and the effectiveness of the environmental measures implemented. (Cetesb)
Fertilizer sector in Brazil lost US$ 7,75 million in the last four years due to thefts and adulterations. (Anda)
Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is spreading across soybean fields in the State of Mato Grosso, raising concerns among farmers due to its resistance to herbicides like glyphosate. (CTEC)
In the 2023/2024 season, pesticides use in cotton reached US$ 1.33 billion, a 9% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by an 18% increase in planted area and growing pest resistance. Insecticides accounted for US$ 666 million, while fungicide use tripled due to foliar diseases. (Kynetec Brasil; Abrapa)
Federal Court ruled that pest control companies are not required to register with the Engineering, Architecture, and Agronomy Council, as their services do not involve exclusive activities by agronomic engineers. (TRF1)
Platform uses algorithms to enhance IPM, enabling real-time crop monitoring with georeferencing by plot. This helps farmers make quick, accurate decisions. (Sima)
Only 15% of inputs have been purchased for the 2025/26 soybean due to high costs. (Agrinvest)
EPAMIG is conducting a study on the Rynchophorus palmarum pest, which affects pequi trees (Caryocar brasiliense). The research aims to control the pest, focusing on protecting pequi production. This effort is supported by Law 23.853/2024, enacted on January 7, which establishes a state program for controlling pests that threaten pequi trees in the State of Minas Gerais. (EPAMIG)
Study by the Federal University of Grande Dourados found that combining organic and organomineral fertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by up to 50%. (UFGD)
Partnership between Embrapa, Elsys, and the São Paulo government will bring 4G connectivity to rural areas of São Paulo and use AI to combat pests. The Semear Digital project will deploy smart traps to monitor pests like the sugarcane borer in municipalities across the state. (Embrapa)
90% of plant samples in a study identified pesticide contamination in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, with up to 12 different types, including 45% of products banned in the EU. (Abrasco; ENSP)
Increase in input costs has reduced the purchasing power of pig farmers in the beginning of 2025. (Cepea)
Petrobrás’ Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant in Araucária, in the State of Paraná, has resumed production, aiming to create 3,000 jobs. The facility will produce 720,000 tonnes of urea and 475,000 tonnes of ammonia annually. This production is aligned with Petrobras’ energy transition strategy, integrating the natural gas chain. (Fafen Araucária; Petrobras)
Biological control against the leaf miner fly has transformed melon production in Mossoró, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The pest had caused losses of up to 90% in production, but after implementing biological solutions, such as using natural organisms, both the quality and quantity of melons improved. (Famosa Agricultural Company)
Soybean Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) sanitary break period invthe State of Alagoas began on January 1st and will last until April 1st, 2025. (Adeal)
Amazonas Agricultural and Forestry Defense Agency (Adaf) seized 4.5 tonnes of fruit with traffic restrictions in Roraima. These products, destined to Manaus, were potential hosts for pests like citrus canker and the Caribbean fruit fly. The cargo was destroyed after being intercepted. (Adaf)
Latin America
Lack of rain in Argentina reduced the demand for inputs and worsened the input-to-product ratio. In December, the ratio between soybean and glyphosate increased by 4.2% compared to November, while grain prices dropped. (Fyo)
Rural Society of Jesús María in Córdoba, Argentina, warned about the increase of the common cricket (Acheta domesticus), a secondary pest that has caused significant damage to soybean, especially at early stages like V3 and V4. The delay in managing fallow areas allowed the growth of weeds, creating favorable conditions for the insect’s proliferation. In some areas, up to 10% of the affected plantations had to be replanted. (SRJM)
Diego Napolitano, president of the Business Chamber of Agricultural Chemical, Seed, and Related Distributors of Buenos Aires, Argentina, highlighted that since the implementation of the new economic plan by President Javier Milei, there has been a 35% devaluation in the revenue and value of agricultural input companies. Napolitano emphasized that despite this decline, the sector is not in crisis, but rather undergoing a transformation. (Cedasaba)
In Argentina, the use of insecticides to control maize leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) increased by 27% compared to the previous season, with approximately 5 million hectares affected by the pest in 2024. (Buenos Aires Grain Exchange; Applied Agricultural Technology Research)
Raúl Monferrer, manager of Aviación Agrícola Argentina, emphasized that authorities should focus on regulating unregistered professionals, as registered ones follow the established standards. He also assured that aerial pesticide applications are safe. (Aviación Agrícola Argentina SA)
Research from the National University of Colombia shows that plants like cocoa and pepper inherit beneficial bacteria, such as Pseudomonas and Pantoea, which help them withstand extreme conditions like drought. (UNAL)
In 2024, Mexico imported 3.7 million tonnes of fertilizers, down from 4.2 million in 2023, a decrease of 11.4% due to the increase in domestic fertilizer production. (Grupo de Consultoria de Mercado Agrícola)
Pemex, the Mexican state-owned oil and gas company, plans to more than double its share in fertilizer market, increasing from 33% to 80%. (Pemex)
In 2024, Paraguay’s fertilizer imports increased by over 10%. (Senave)
In Peru, strawberries for local consumption have pesticide levels up to 13 times above legal limits, while those exported to the U.S. and EU meet international standards. (Mérieux Nutrisciences)
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