Losses in Corn Productive Potential Could Reach 30% in Paraguay
Poverty rates fell from 52.9% to 38.1%, according to data released on March 31. Annual inflation of 66.9% was considered the main reason in the reduction of the poverty rate, which calculation is based on a basket of consumed goods and average wages. This rate fell dramatically from 289% recorded in April 2024. (Government of Argentina)
Agricultural sector raised US$ 1.88 billion through grain exports in March, an increase of 20% when compared to March of 2023. “The increase is a result of the reduction in export duties by Decree No. 38/25, as well as less fluidity in the grain export market in the last days of March”, according to the Chamber of Crushers and Exporters of Oilseeds and Grains. (Ciara-CEC)
The International Monetary Fund considers Argentina’s request for an initial disbursement of 40% of the new US$ 20 billion loan program that it is negotiating with the institution to be “reasonable”, said the Managing Director of IMF, Kristalina Georgieva. (IMF)
Argentina will start importing beef from Brazil. The director of the Rural Society, Andrés Costamagna, pointed out Brazil will be free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination as from April, which improves its competitiveness in the market. (Rural Society Argentina)
Drought in the North of the country has reduced the estimated soybean harvest by 1 million tonnes. (Buenos Aires Grain Exchange)
Requests of bankruptcy protection (similar to USA Chapter 11) in agribusiness hit a record high in 2024, with a 138% increase when compared to 2023, totaling 1272 requests. The requests are mainly from farmers, with an increase of almost 350% in the annual comparison, reaching 566 cases. (Serasa Experian)
The 2025/26 coffee harvest should be similar to the previous harvest, reaching 63.4 – 69.4 million bags (60 kg). “Brazil’s supply should be sufficient to meet export and consumption demand, but not enough to replenish stocks, keeping the market exposed to weather conditions for the 2026 season”, according to the brokerage company Marex. (Marex)
Frigol had a turnover of US$ 650 million and slaughtered 665 thousand cattle in 2024. “Even in a year of high cattle prices, especially from the second half of the year, and a more challenging price scenario, we were able to grow”, said Luciano Pascon, the company’s CEO. (Frigol)
Sites of Tahiti lime production in the State of Bahia will be able to export fruits to Chile. The negotiation process, which began two months ago, was concluded during Fruit Attraction São Paulo, the main event for the fruit and vegetable market in the Southern Hemisphere. (ADAB; MAPA)
The Administrative Council for Economic Defense has approved without restrictions the purchase of Sierentz Agro Brasil by SLC Agrícola, through its subsidiary SLC Agrícola Centro-Oeste. The decision authorizes the conclusion of the deal announced in early March for US$ 135 million, which involves approximately 96 thousand hectares of leased areas in the States of Maranhão, Piauí and Pará. (CADE)
The Legislative Agenda for Agriculture 2025 was launched on March 26th, during a formal session in the National Congress. This document indicates the matters being processed in Parliament that are a priority for the agricultural sector — such as those dealing with environmental licensing and the so-called “commercial reciprocity”, among others. (Senate Agency)
Apple exports grew 19% in 2024 compared to 2023, while local production fell 9%. “It is time to look more strategically to the future and find a way to be more competitive. Based on our knowledge of the Chilean production system and our export and logistics capacity… we believe that the apple sector has a new opportunity”, said Isabel Quiroz, founder of the consultancy iQonsulting. (iQonsulting)
Latin America has overtaken Europe as the main destination for Chilean fruit, especially Brazil, which imports kiwi, grapes, apples, cherries and plums. (Fruits from Chile)
The central bank kept the country’s benchmark interest rate unchanged at 9.5% per year. The decision was not unanimous, with three directors voting for a cut and another four deciding to maintain the rate. The country had a slight increase in inflation in February, reaching 5.3% (annualized), above the 3% target pursued by the authority. (Banrep)
Frutura acquires the avocado company Montana Fruits. “We have a proven formula when it comes to making an acquisition”, said David Krause, the company’s CEO. “Avocados are our next big move”. (Frutura)
Blueberry cultivation is expected to grow 669% by 2026, from 650 to 5,000 hectares. The estimate is based on the significant potential for new cultivation areas, mainly in Antioquia, Cauca, Nariño, which can complement the current producing regions of Bogotá and Boyacá. (Rural Agricultural Planning Unit)
PepsiCo inaugurated in Tenjo, Colombia, the largest potato storage center in Latin America, with a capacity of 20,000 tonnes for up to six months,speeding up unloading by five times. (PepsiCo)
Government has announced a bonus of US$ 800 for small and medium-sized farmers affected by the heavy rainfall of 2025. This aid is part of a package of 13 benefits launched since January, totaling an estimated cost of US$ 518 million for the state. (Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion)
Mexico plans to invest US$ 2.6 billion by 2030 in the National Irrigation Technology Program to optimize water use in agriculture, with part of the recovered water to be used for human consumption. “Why is the national technology program so important? Because 76% of the water used in the country is consumed in the farms”, said the director of the National Water Commission, Efraín Morales. (Conagua)
Losses in corn productive potential could reach 30%, according to Esther Storch, director of the consulting firm Dasagro. Rainfall has been irregular in the country, after excessive heat removed much of the soil’s moisture. (Dasagro)
Inflation reached 1.2% in March, driven by a 26% increase in the price of vegetables, which accounted for 57% of the monthly rise. Fruit and vegetables rose by 20.6% in the month and 30.8% in the quarter, especially lettuce (109%), chard (49%) and peppers (42%). The dairy, beef and egg sectors also saw increases due to seasonal demand and lower supply. (Central Bank of Paraguay)
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock forecasts an increase in the supply of tomatoes in the country from May onwards, with production estimated at 9,100 tonnes and a peak of 15,000 tonnes in June, exceeding the monthly demand of 6,000 tonnes. (MAG)
Heavy rainfall destroyed 20,000 hectares of crops, affecting the economy of thousands of families, especially in regions like Tumbes, with losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. (Association of Agricultural Producers of Peru)
Uruguayan government announced that it will appoint former minister Fernando Mattos to the post of director general of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture. (IICA)
Uruguay maintains vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease, while Brazil and Paraguay have suspended it. Jorge Andrés Rodríguez, president of the Rural Federation, warned of health risks and rejected the import of live cattle from Brazil. He stressed the need for strict control and private participation in defending the health status. (Animal Health; Rural Federation)
READ MORE: