Increase of Greening (HLB) Has Changed the Citrus Belt in Brazil
Brazil
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) continues to be a challenge due to the lack of non-GMO areas for pest-resistance control, inadequate use of insecticides and the uninterrupted presence of corn in the farms. In some areas, more than 30% of Bt plants have been severely attacked. (Agro Assis Ltda.)
The State of Mato Grosso’s Legislative Assembly has approved Bill No. 1833/2023, which seeks to change the rules for pesticide terrestrial spray. Small farms are exempt from the minimum distance from protected areas, while medium-size farms must maintain a distance of 25 meters and large-size farms of 90 meters. The Bill now goes to Governor Mauro Mendes for sanction or veto. (ALMT)
In January of 2025, the presence of Begomovirus was identified, which is responsible for the outbreaks of viruses in tomato farms in the State of Paraná. The use of resistant varieties and control of silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) are recommended. (Adapar)
Woman was caught red-handed for illegally manufacturing and selling pesticides containing methomyl, and falsely marketing it as approved for organic agriculture, in Guaramirim, State of Santa Catarina. (Civil Police of Santa Catarina)
Increase of greening (HLB) has transformed the traditional Citrus Belt, which now includes the States of Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Paraná and the Federal District, forming the Expanded Citrus Belt. Since 2023, orchard migration has increased significantly, with more than 15,000 hectares expected to be planted by 2026. In São Paulo, HLB infection reached 44% of plantations in 2024, an increase of 6% when compared to 2023. (Embrapa; Fundecitrus)
AgriConnection and Globachem announced a strategic partnership during event in Shanghai, China. (AgriConnection; Globachem)
Landless Workers’ Movement has announced the installation of organic fertilizer factories in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in partnership with China. The first plant will be in Nova Santa Rita, with funding from the Bank of Brazil. The partnership also includes the production of agricultural machinery, using Chinese technology, and the creation of a national seeds program. (22nd Agroecological Rice Harvest Festival)
The use of biotechnologies to fix nitrogen in maize, such as Methylobacterium symbioticum and Azospirillum brasilense, can reduce or even replace chemical fertilizers. (Raiar Orgânicos)
Wheat production in the country could reach 10 million tonnes in the 2025/26 harvest, an increase of 29.9% over the previous season. Farmers in the South have adopted mineral fertilizers, improving yields and plant resistance. The use of mineral fertilizers is essential for replenishing nutrients in the soil and increasing agricultural productivity. (Safras & Mercado; MaxiSolo)
Municipal Government of Itabuna, in the State of Bahia, will distribute manure and fertilizer to approximately 300 farmers and small farmers, with the aim of stimulating sustainable agricultural development and strengthening the Food Acquisition Program. (Itabuna City Hall)
Sugarcane production costs for the 2025/26 season are expected to rise by up to 8%, mainly due to the increase in input prices, such as in the case of fertilizers and pesticides, influenced by value increase of the dollar and by international prices. (Pecege Consultoria e Projetos)
Odair Campo Dall’Orto Neto is the new commercial director of TIMAC Agro Brasil. (Timac)
Citi Bank maintained the recommendation
18th Biological Control Symposium will take place from September 14th to 18th of 2025 in Gramado, State of Rio Grande do Sul, with more than 1,000 participants. The theme of the event is “The Future of Biological Control is Made of Science and Innovation”, and it will address the use of biologicals to combat agricultural pests and diseases and discuss alternatives to climate change. (Siconbiol)
Ronan Moreira é o novo Diretor Comercial BR | PY da Nufarm Seeds na Nuseed Brasil. (Nuseed Brasil)
K+S is investing in the production of soluble potassium and magnesium, fertilizers that are rich in mineral nutrients that improve the productivity and quality of coffee farms, helping farmers to obtain better harvests. (K+S Brasil)
Soybean Asian Rust requires attention in late-planted areas in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, especially in areas sown from December to January, which still require control until April; although incidence this season is lower than in the previous one, mild temperatures and persistent dew favor infection, leading farmers to intensify preventive applications of high-performance fungicides. (Emater/RS-Ascar)
Incidence of the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) in the State of Santa Catarina has decreased, with fewer infected insects, possibly due to the management adopted during the vegetative phase; the State’s average catch per trap is 105.6, with no record of pale stunt spiroplasm or striated mosaic virus. (Epagri)
1st edition of the Goiás Agricultural Defense Meeting will take place from June 3rd to 5th, 2025, at the Convention Center of Goiânia. The event will discuss public policies, technological advances and training in sanitary programs, with lectures and discussions on 12 thematic axes. There will also be simultaneous events, such as the Traceability and Bioinputs Forum. (Agrodefesa; Endagro)
DVA has appointed Natália Gonçalves as the general director in Brazil. (DVA Brasil)
In 2024, Suzano released 210,000 native ladybugs across 57,000 hectares of forests in Brazil, preventing the use of 17.1 tonnes of pesticides, resulting in a savings of approximately US$ 517 thousand. This was developed after two years of research and aims to combat the conch psyllid, a pest that affects eucalyptus, without harming local biodiversity. (Suzano)
With the Selic rate (Brazilian benchmark interest rate) at 14.25%, credit is more expensive and harder for farmers, impacting the purchase of inputs. Barter, which is the exchange of part of the production for inputs, has been an alternative for acquiring these products. The recommendation is caution in managing costs and financing inputs. (Céleres Consultoria)
Latin America
Corn leafhoppers (Dalbulus maidis) increased in the Northwest and Northeast regions of Argentina, according to monitoring in 378 areas between February 24th and March 13th. (Argentine Corn and Sorghum Association)
In 2024, Argentina‘s agrochemical sector recorded a 27.4% drop in turnover, from US$ 4.32 billion to US$ 3.14 billion. Syngenta and Bayer recorded falls of 36% and 30.6% respectively. Companies such as Agrofina and Surcos went bankrupt, and SpeedAgro and YPF saw reductions of up to 50%. Sales fell by 12.5% in volume, but the decline in product prices and commercial policy errors aggravated the crisis. The herbicides sector lost almost US$ 1.5 billion. (Syngenta; Bayer; YPF)
Adjustments to sprayers could reduce the use of agrochemicals by up to 40%. A project supported by the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation aims to optimize the application of pesticides to citrus crops in Chile by creating a digital platform to customize the process. The initiative includes training and practical tests to improve efficiency and reduce costs. (FIA; Frutas de Chile; INIA)
Paraguay‘s National Plant Health and Quality Service took part in a preparatory meeting for COP 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago, from March 18th to 20th, discussing the management of chemical products and residues with representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean. (Senave)
Uruguayan government approved the National Bioinputs Plan, formalized by Decree No. 042/025, with the aim of promoting the production and use of bioinputs. The measure aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, generate new export opportunities and position Uruguay as a leader in sustainable agricultural technologies. (Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries)
READ MORE: