Brazil’s Ready-to-Use Herbicide Imports Reach Highest Level Since 2015
Federal Government has established the Interministerial Steering Committee of the National Pesticide Reduction Program – Pronara. The consultative and deliberative body will plan, coordinate and monitor actions to reduce pesticide use in Brazil, propose targets and indicators and coordinate related public policies. It will be composed of representatives from 13 ministries and federal institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Anvisa, Embrapa and Ibama. (Federal Gazette, SG/PR Ordinance No. 199, from 9/25/25, 2025, Presidency of Brazil)
Sulfur prices increased by 90% in 2025, driven by strong global demand and limited supply. Price growth began to accelerate in August, with weekly variations approaching US$ 30, reaching levels not seen since 2022. Brazil imported 1.6 million tonnes from January to August, an 8% increase when compared to 2024. (StoneX Consultoria)
The Ministry of Agriculture approved 28 registrations of formulated pesticides, reaching 384 so far in 2025. (Official Gazette, Act No. 44, Ministry of Agriculture)
From January to August of 2025, Brazil imported 14,600 tonnes of ready-to-use herbicides, a 47.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and the highest volume since 2015. Expenditures totaled US$ 61.8 million, driven by a record harvest of 350.2 million tonnes and shorter opportunities for application. Despite high costs, farmers anticipated purchases to ensure weed control. (Scot Consultoria; Secex)
Fertilizer deliveries to the Brazilian market grew by 10.5% in the 1H25, reaching 20.14 million tonnes, according to the National Fertilizer Diffusion Association. The State of Mato Grosso led with 23.9% of the total. Domestic production increased by 8.9% during the period and imports reached 18.47 million tonnes, up 10.3%. (ANDA)
Border Operations Department police seized 460 L of pesticides from Paraguay in Ponta Porã, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The cargo, valued at around US$ 94 thousand, was being transported by a 25-year-old man who would receive US$ 150 for delivering it in the city of Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul. The suspect and the products were handed over to the Civil Police. (DOF)
According to Agrinvest Commodities analyst Jeferson Souza, chlorothalonil prices rose 45% over the past 12 months and 70% since June of 2024, despite record imports. Prices remain firm with no signs of decline in the short term, a key factor for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. “Although prices have shown more stability over the past three months, cumulative appreciation remains significant. It is worth noting that 100% of the product imported by Brazil originates from China,” said Souza. (Agrinvest Commodities)
The Herbicide Resistance Action Committee of Brazil updated its classification of herbicides by chemical group and mode of action, providing information on registered active ingredients in the country. The tool helps plan product rotation, prevent weed resistance and improve control efficiency. (HRAC-BR)
The Sugarcane Technology Center confirmed that the fungus Colletotrichum spp. is responsible for sugarcane wilt, a disease that can reduce yields by up to 50% and affects about 30% of sugarcane fields. According to Sabrina Chabregas, CTC’s R&D director, the identification enables research focused on fungicides, management and the development of resistant varieties. (CTC)
Operation Phyto X, conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Civil Police in the city of Batatais, State of São Paulo, seized seeds, seedlings and plant material with no proof of origin, indicating counterfeiting and irregular cultivar production. “This action reinforces the importance of controlling the movement of seeds and seedlings, protecting national agriculture against pests and diseases and combating unfair competition,” said Carlos Goulart, Secretary of Agricultural Defense. (MAPA)
About 200 new federal agricultural inspectors began their careers in August to strengthen inspection and food safety in Brazil. According to Janus Macedo, president of the National Union of Federal Agricultural Inspectors (Anffa Sindical), the reinforcement is important but still insufficient given the personnel shortage. (Anffa Sindical)
Researcher Hamilton Ramos, director of the Agricultural Engineering and Automation Center at the Agronomic Institute [Instituto Agronômico – IAC], is participating in a diplomatic mission to India from September 29th to October 2nd. The delegation aims to establish partnerships and exchanges in agricultural technology and innovation. Ramos will present IAC programs focused on the safe and efficient use of pesticides. (IAC)
Rodrigo Lima is the new Commercial Director for the Cerrados Leste region at ICL in Brazil, responsible for strengthening sales strategies and customer relationships in the States of Goiás, Tocantins, Maranhão, Pará, Bahia and Piauí. (ICL Group)
The Ministry of Agriculture has established the Quality Assessment and Improvement System for Official Pest Prevention and Control Programs – AudiFito. The new tool will monitor, audit and improve plant health actions carried out by public and private entities. Audits, conducted by federal agricultural inspectors, will evaluate resources, technical capacity, management and program compliance, as well as propose corrective action plans. (Official Gazette, SDA/MAPA Ordinance No. 1373, 9/22/25, MAPA)
Association for Technical Assistance and Rural Extension in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and the Technical Cooperative Network have begun monitoring corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) in 50 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul. Technicians will conduct weekly insect counting and send data to create a statewide occurrence map. The pest transmits pathogens causing untreatable stunting diseases and can severely impact yields. Integrated management includes eliminating volunteer corn, using less susceptible cultivars, constant monitoring and applying insecticides based on incidence. (Emater/RS)
AgriConnection and Nutrien have notified the acquisition of pesticide assets (CNAE 4683-4/00), according to Concentration Act No. 08700.009589/2025-92. AgriConnection acquired 96 pesticide registrations from Nutrien in Brazil. (CADE; AgriConnection)
Pesticide spraying technology in Brazil is celebrating its 50th anniversary. According to Marcelo Ferreira, a researcher at the State University of São Paulo, innovations have ranged from self-stabilizing booms and high-capacity sprayers to the use of drones, which reduced application volumes from 1,000 L/ha to around 10 L/ha. Development has evolved alongside environmental and food safety demands, increasing operational efficiency and strengthening Brazilian agriculture. (Unesp)
Multinational Sustainable Agro Solutions – SAS acquired Aqua do Brasil, a manufacturer of biostimulants, resistance inducers and specialty fertilizers. The acquisition marks SAS’s entry into the Brazilian market. Luciano Gasparini will remain CEO of the Brazilian operation. (SAS)
Although Brazil has large natural gas reserves, this does not translate into self-sufficiency in the fertilizer sector. According to Betina Moura, a consultant at Argus, the country’s gas pipeline network is stagnant, without sufficient expansion to connect producing areas to industrial regions. Additionally, domestic gas prices are too high to compete with imports. Even with the potential to double gas consumption by the fertilizer industry, Brazil remains dependent on foreign markets. “Without competitive conditions, the industry does not absorb this supply”, said Moura. (Argus)
The Civil Police of the State of Mato Grosso dismantled a scheme that diverted 47 fertilizer shipments worth US$ 1.13 million from June 2024 to July 2025. The group, made up of employees of the victim company, truck drivers and business owners, falsified delivery records for shipments leaving Paranaguá that never reached their destinations. The investigation identified 25 people involved and resulted in 17 search and seizure warrants. (Civil Police – MT)
Lignin increases herbicide efficiency: researchers used lignin fractions, a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, to stabilize nanoparticles with atrazine. The innovation improved weed control effectiveness and could lead to the development of more sustainable inputs. (Agência Fapesp)
João Victor Viana da Costa will be the new CFO of CCAB Agro starting October 1st, 2025. (CCAB Agro)
Atlas Agro proposed the creation of a guarantee fund to reduce financial risks and unlock investments in fertilizer projects based on green hydrogen. The mechanism should function similarly to contracts for difference (CFD), covering the gap when market prices fall below operational costs and providing predictability for investors. The proposal was presented during an event in the city of Brasília and is under review by consulting firm Systemiq, focusing on attracting public and private capital. (Atlas Agro)
Soybean production costs in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul increased 1.9% in the 2025/26 season, reaching US$ 1,150/ha. Fertilizers and insecticides saw the largest increases, at 24.1% and 57.5%, respectively. According to the economic bulletin of the Soybean Farmers Association of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, fertilizers remain the main cost component, representing 39.83% of soybean production expenses and requiring 11.63 bags per hectare to cover input costs. The analysis is based on the most widely used cultivar in the state, with an average yield estimated at 53 bags/ha and a price of US$ 22.57 per bag. (Aprosoja/MS)
The pesticide market for corn second-crop fell 7% in 2025, to US$ 2.36 billion. The decline reflects a 13% average drop in product prices and a 16% devaluation of BRL. Despite this, the planted area increased by 6% to 16.9 million hectares, with an 11% increase in technology adoption and a 24% increase in treated potential area. Foliar insecticides led spending (US$ 891 million), followed by fungicides (US$ 500 million) and herbicides (US$ 466 million). (Kynetec)
CropLife Brasil and USP launched the 4th edition of the Training Program to Combat the Illegal Agricultural Input Market. According to Nilto Mendes, CropLife Brasil’s Manager for Combating Illegal Products, the initiative offers specialized content and university certification to strengthen actions against rural crime. More than 6,900 students have participated in previous editions. (CropLife Brasil)
Researchers have developed a nanoencapsulated atrazine formulation that improves weed control in corn without affecting the crop’s vigor. The technology stimulates antioxidant responses in plants and reduces negative impacts on photosynthesis, offering a safer and more effective management alternative during the critical competition period. (INCT NanoAgro)
With the end of the second-crop corn harvest in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, experts warn about the risks of volunteer corn, which can compete with soybean for resources and serve as a refuge for pests such as leafhoppers and caterpillars. According to Tatiane Lobak, researcher at Fundação Chapadão, early control is essential to prevent yield losses. (Fundação Chapadão)
The National Association of Biological Input Industries presented proposals for regulating the Bioinputs Law (No. 15070/2024). The Association advocates for an updated legal framework with scientific and risk-based technical criteria, reduced bureaucracy and innovation incentives. It also recommends rules allowing industrial and on-farm production to coexist, as well as tax incentives and registration processes that consider product multifunctionality. (ANPII Bio)
Researchers from the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of the State of Santa Catarina developed a trap to capture snails that infest irrigated rice. Unlike previous models, the device prevents the pests from escaping. The technology is part of integrated cultural and biological management strategies and helps to solve the lack of chemical control options. (Epagri)
Sempre AgTech/WIN’s sprayable RNAi biotechnology against Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) was classified by the National Technical Commission on Biosafety as non-GMO, according to Hugo Molinari, the company’s R&D director. (Sempre AgTech/WIN)
Anvisa rejects toxicological evaluation processes of post-registration of biopesticides Trichoderma harzianum isolate IB 19/17 300 g/kg WP, from Bem da Terra; and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain CL3 14.87 g/L SC, from Sinon. (Official Gazette, Resolution No. 3764 from 9/25/25, Anvisa)
Embrapa has developed a technology that combines artificial intelligence and image sensors to identify the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The system analyzes images captured by cameras attached to agricultural machinery, detecting the pest at different stages of growth and providing more accurate data for field control. The solution reduces errors associated with traditional methods. (Embrapa)
Secretariat of Indigenous Health (SESAI/MS) appoints members of the Committee on Mercury, Pesticides, and Other Environmental Contaminants to coordinate actions and strategies against contamination in indigenous territories. The committee is composed of representatives from SESAI coordination and departments and social control bodies, such as the Forum of District Councils. (DOU, SESAI/MS Ordinance No. 321, dated 9/30/25)
Latin America
National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality of Argentina intensified phytosanitary actions in several regions. In La Rioja, it coordinated measures against Lobesia botrana moths, including control schedules and training of farmers. In Patagonia, it reinforced early monitoring and control of locusts. In Buenos Aires, it implemented a contingency plan against Diaphorina citri, which transmits greening, with inspections and sampling of more than 300 citrus plants. (Senasa)
Experts warn of a decline in protein levels in soybeans in Argentina. Researcher Daniel Miralles of the University of Buenos Aires highlighted that, although yields have increased by approximately 30 kg/ha per year, this has reduced the soybean’s protein concentration. To reverse the trend, Miralles recommends nitrogen foliar applications during critical development stages. Products with 20% to 33% N are considered the most effective, while formulas below 5% have no significant effect. (University of Buenos Aires)
With early corn planting progressing in Argentina, which has already reached 63% of the estimated area, experts warn of an increased risk of Fusarium spp., fueled by humid weather and frequent rainfall. (BCR)
Agricultural and Livestock Service of Chile launched an Interactive Phytosanitary Report compiling updated sampling and diagnostic data on regulated non-quarantine pests in citrus and vineyard orchards. The platform also provides the official list of authorized varieties for propagation and commercialization. (SAG)
Agricultural Institute of Colombia intensified phytosanitary surveillance and diagnostic actions in plantain plantations in Alcalá, Valle del Cauca. Technicians carried out inspections in production areas, identified high levels of pests and diseases and presented integrated management plans focused on infestation control and productivity improvement. (ICA)
Representatives from 13 cocoa-producing municipalities in Santander, Colombia, participated in a meeting led by the Agricultural Institute of Colombia and the Agrarian and Environmental Prosecutor’s Office to define surveillance, prevention and control measures for the Carmenta foraseminis moth, which was recently detected in the region. With 53,534 hectares under cultivation and more than 21,000 families involved, Santander is Colombia’s leading cocoa producer. (ICA)
Mexico’s National Service of Health, Safety and Agro-Food Quality strengthened pesticide residue monitoring in food. The initiative includes systematic sample collection in different regions to ensure residue levels are within legal and technical limits, as well as issuing bulletins with alerts and best practice recommendations. (Senasica)
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