US Imposed 17% Tariffs on Fresh Tomatoes Imported From Mexico
Slightly increase on monthly inflation in June, after hitting the lowest value in five years in May, according to data released on July 14th. Prices increased 1.6% in June, below the 1.9% estimate made by analysts. (Indec)
After reforms, the agribusiness is once again investing in Argentina. “Argentina continues to offer opportunities, despite the crises. And we are confident that the reforms will provide stability for new investments”, said Walter Cardozo, director of operations at Adecoagro. (Adecoagro)
Rains in July disrupted wheat planting but should increase crop yields. The total planted area with wheat is 6.9 million hectares, a reduction of 200,000 hectares due to the rains. “It rained, and this is good news for wheat, despite crop failures and sowing difficulties”, stated the Rosario Stock Exchange. Records showed significant rainfall in Córdoba and Buenos Aires. “These accumulated values are notable when compared to the low levels typically observed in July. After the anomaly in soil moisture reserves… the July 16th update shows a notable improvement”. (BCR)
Congress eliminated tax exemptions for Mutual Guarantee Societies (SGRs), and agribusiness entities warn that this change in the tax regime could result in reduced access to credit for the sector. Several agribusiness entities questioned the decision, calling for “fiscal responsibility and an urgent review of the reform that limits credit”. (Acsoja; Maizar)
Senasa confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a backyard poultry farm in the Lezama district of Buenos Aires province. It is important to emphasize the presence of this disease in backyard poultry does not affect the country’s health status or the commercialization of poultry products. (Senasa)
Brazilian meatpacking plants are evaluating whether to ship new beef to the USA after President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, said Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporters. The USA is the second-largest market for Brazilian beef, after China. (ABIEC)
Raízen announced the discontinuation of operations of Santa Elisa sugar-ethanol mill, located in Sertãozinho, State of São Paulo, for an undetermined period. The decision is part of the strategy of portfolio review focused on operational efficiency and debt reduction. As a result, the company signed agreements to sell up to 3.6 million tonnes of sugarcane, including its own production and contracts with suppliers. The transaction was valued at US$ 190 million and will be paid fully up front. (Raízen)
Bankruptcy protection (similar to US’ Chapter 11) cases in Brazilian agribusiness reached 389 requests in the 1Q25, an increase of 21.5% when compared to the previous quarter and 44.6% when compared to the 1Q24. Farmers operating as individuals had the highest number of requests, reaching 195. (Serasa Experian)
Harvest of the second corn crop of 2025 reached 40% of the cultivated area in the south-central region of Brazil until last Thursday, still well below the 74% rate registered last year. (AgRural)
At least 780 people could lose their jobs with the closure of ADM Animal Nutrition’s plant in Três Corações, State of Minas Gerais. On Tuesday (July 15th), the employees were informed about the closure, which is expected to happen within 90 days. (ADM Animal Nutrition)
Suzano Papel & Celulose, the largest pulp manufacturer in the world, has not yet seen any impact from the US government’s announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian products, but is working on hedging strategies. Brazil accounts for approximately 83% of the total hardwood pulp the USA imports annually. “There is no impact in the short term“, stated Guilherme Miranda, general director for the Americas, during an event organized by the Brazil-United States Chamber of Commerce. (Suzano Papel & Celulose)
On July 16th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the letter sent to the US government regarding the tariffs announced by Donald Trump on July 9th. In the document, Brazilian authorities reinforce the call for negotiations, emphasizing that Brazil is at a disadvantage in its trade balance with the USA. “Brazil has engaged in good faith dialogue with US authorities seeking alternatives to improve trade, despite Brazil’s accumulation of large trade deficits with the US in both goods and services, which amount to almost US$ 410 billion over the last 15 years”, according to the letter. (MRE)
Minerva’s board of directors approved on July 15th a US$ 330 thousand increase in the company’s share capital, resulting from the exercise of subscription bonuses. In June, the board had already approved a US$ 360 million capital increase. Therefore, considering the amount that will come through subscription bonuses over the next three years, Minerva’s capital increase will total US$ 540 million. (Minerva Foods)
Mexico and the UK have lifted export restrictions on Brazilian chicken meat, which had been put in place after the detection of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the municipality of Montenegro, State of Rio Grande do Sul, in May of 2025. (MAPA)
Bolivia’s agricultural production is already being affected by shortages, with only 20 of the 70 million liters of diesel needed having been delivered. In Beni and Santa Cruz, 150,000 hectares of rice and sugarcane harvest are under threat, requiring 27 million liters to maintain the production cycle. Farmers face long lines at gas stations and warn of losses and the risk of rice imports. The government blames the lack of dollars and logistical delays, while palliative measures, such as importing 40,000 tonnes of grain, are criticized for not solving the structural problem. (Rural Development and Lands of Bolivia; Federation of Sugarcane Producers of Santa Cruz)
The country could become the world’s second-largest hazelnut producer. Planted area grew from 8,686 hectares in 2014 to 49,263 in 2024, ranking the country as the main supplier for the Southern Hemisphere. (AgriChile)
It is estimated a decrease of at least 1 million bags (60 kg) of coffee for the 2025/26 season, which begins in October, according to Germán Bahamón, CEO of the National Federation of Coffee Farmers. Excessive rainfall is expected to affect the harvested volume from October to December. “We’re facing a very difficult time now. The rainfall has been unusual… So, in October, November, and December, we’ll be affected and we’ll reduce our production… next year, it will be reduced by 1 million to 1.5 million bags”. (FNC)
The US imposed 17% tariffs on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico. On April 15th, the US Department of Commerce announced it would withdraw within 90 days from the 2019 Agreement to Suspend the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, which allows Mexican farmers to export tomatoes to the neighboring country without paying anti-dumping duties. The US warned that it would apply a 20.91% surcharge on most tomato imports from Mexico after July 14th, but the tariff was reduced to 17%. The measure “goes against the interests not only of Mexican farmers, but also of the American industry”, according to a joint statement from the Mexican Ministries of Economy and Agriculture. (Ministry of Agriculture)
With the 2024/25 harvest approaching its end, total soybean production is expected to reach 8.69 million tonnes for the country’s main season. Considering the two producing regions, Eastern and Western, the national estimate is increased to 9.93 million tonnes. (StoneX Consultoria)
Paraguay recorded an increase of 78,417 hectares in irrigated rice area, totaling 266,327 hectares. Corn, meanwhile, had a sharp drop of 33,065 hectares compared to the previous year, totaling 55,408 hectares. (Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology)
22% increase in agricultural exports, which totaled US$ 5.39 billion in the 1H of 2025. In June, shipments reached US$ 860 million, with avocados standing out as the main exported product, with 156,000 tonnes and US$ 264 million. Coffee was the second most exported product, resulting in US$ 116 million, with a 71% increase in value and 36% in price. Cocoa grew 147% in volume but fell 33% in value. (Fresh Fruit Peru)
Peru has approved new health requirements for importing cattle from the US. The animals must come from herds with no history of several diseases, in addition to undergoing a 35-day quarantine, negative laboratory tests for various diseases, and antiparasitic treatment. The health certificate must be issued by USDA-authorized veterinarians, in Spanish, and include permanent identification of the animals. Upon arrival in Peru, the cattle will undergo a further 30-day quarantine, and in case of non-compliance, the shipment will be rejected without appeal. (Senasa; Midagri)
Minister of Agriculture, Alfredo Fratti, addressed the government’s decision to suspend live cattle exports: “It’s not a ban, but a suspension… Please read the Ministry’s statement carefully”, he said. The decision has been criticized by the industry, which accuses the government of inappropriate economic intervention. The minister noted that six companies linked to the meatpacking sector have been closed, and that the measure aims to protect jobs and help the national meatpacking industry. (MGAP)
Uruguay is authorized to export citrus fruits to the Philippines, according to an official statement received on June 17th, as a result of the bilateral Work Plan signed in 2024. This achievement is the culmination of cooperation between the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Uruguayan Embassy in Indonesia. (Mrree; Republic of the Philippines)
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