In Brazil AgTech news this week, Aravita is using AI to reduce produce waste in supermarkets, while the Ministry of Agriculture is launching a digital system to speed agrochemical and bioinput approvals. E-ctare is pivoting from rural credit to data infrastructure, biological seed treatments are gaining ground, and CCAB is bringing e-commerce logic to the agricultural inputs market.

In Climate Tech developments, Brazil’s data-center boom is becoming a new source of clean power demand as Microsoft, AWS and TikTok expand infrastructure in the country. Belterra is preparing new financing structures to scale cocoa agroforestry on degraded pasture, Flying Rivers Capital is backing low-carbon assets across biomethane, green fertilizers and recycling, and Atvos is investing in its first corn ethanol unit in Mato Grosso do Sul.

On the funding and M&A front, Brazil’s EcoInvest program is preparing a new round focused on green fuels and fertilizers, with the potential to mobilize up to US$10.9 billion through bank leverage. MBRF is investing about US$99 million in Gelprime to expand collagen and gelatin production, deepening its push into higher-value animal protein ingredients.

In Macro & Markets, Brazilian companies face rising security risks as AI-agent adoption accelerates. Glyphosate is facing a legal challenge, lawmakers approved tax incentives to support domestic fertilizer production, Brazil’s venture capital market is entering a more selective rebound after the startup winter, and JBS’ potential inclusion in the Russell 3000 could attract passive capital and support a major valuation rerating.

Table of Contents

AgTech

• Aravita cuts produce waste with AI

• Agrochemical approvals go digital

• E-ctare pivots from credit to data infrastructure

• Biological seed treatments gain ground

• CCAB brings e-commerce logic to inputs

Climate Tech

• Data centers drive clean power demand

• Belterra scales agroforestry finance

• Flying Rivers backs low-carbon assets

• Atvos adds corn ethanol in MS

Funding & M&A

• EcoInvest targets green fuels and fertilizers

• MBRF expands into collagen and gelatin

Macro & Markets

• AI adoption raises security risks

• Glyphosate faces legal challenge in Brazil

• Brazil backs fertilizer factories

• Brazil VC enters selective rebound

• JBS eyes Russell rerating

AgTech

Aravita cuts produce waste with AI Aravita is using artificial intelligence to help supermarkets reduce waste in fruits, vegetables and legumes by calculating the ideal purchase volume from suppliers. Founded in 2022 by Marco Perlman, Bruno Schrappe and Aline Neves de Azevedo, the company focuses on ultra-perishable foods, where forecasting errors can mean either lost sales from empty shelves or waste from excess inventory. Its models combine data such as seasonality, supplier availability, weather, promotions and consumer payment cycles to guide purchasing decisions. According to the company, its technology has reduced supermarket produce waste by 25% while improving supply-chain efficiency. read more

Agrochemical approvals go digital Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture will launch Sispa, a unified electronic system designed to streamline the registration and review of agrochemicals and bioinputs. Created under Brazil’s 2023 pesticide law, the platform will centralize petitions, post-registration changes and technical dossiers in a single digital workflow, replacing fragmented submissions across different federal agencies. The system was developed with support from private-sector partners, including Abrapa and IBA, which invested more than US$6 million in the project. The goal is to reduce bureaucracy, enable real-time process tracking and help meet legal approval deadlines, including up to 24 months for new products. read more

E-ctare pivots from credit to data infrastructure Minas Gerais agtech E-ctare is shifting its strategy from rural credit origination to data infrastructure and operational intelligence for agribusiness. Founded in 2015 with a real-time coffee price quotation platform, the company later moved into financing solutions, including receivables advances, CRAs and FIDC origination. After rising interest rates and higher default risk made rural credit less attractive, E-ctare identified its real asset in the data connections built across producers, cooperatives, agroindustries and management systems. The company now offers CRM, traceability, logistics, inventory control, field apps and commercial tools that plug into existing ERPs. read more

Biological seed treatments gain ground Biological products are now used to treat about 25% of seeds sold in Brazil, according to a Notícias Agrícolas report from ENSOJA 2026. The trend reflects growing demand for seed technologies that improve protection, nutrition and early plant development, especially in soybeans. Vittia highlighted its Raiz Forte program, which combines biological solutions designed to support seed vigor and root development, positioning biological seed treatment as part of a broader shift toward more efficient and sustainable crop management. The adoption level also shows how biologicals are moving from niche inputs into mainstream farm practice. read more

CCAB brings e-commerce logic to inputs CCAB part of the French InVivo group, is launching Farmi, a digital platform designed to bring more transparency, speed and predictability to Brazil’s agricultural input market. Inspired by the customer experience of Amazon and Mercado Livre, the platform will give farmers real-time information on product availability, credit, prices, logistics and delivery timing, starting with CCAB’s own portfolio of crop protection products. The system uses data intelligence across commercial, credit, tax and logistics areas, with plans to move from a web portal to WhatsApp and eventually add services such as finance and insurance. CCAB reported around US$320 million in revenue in 2025. read more

Climate Tech

Data centers drive clean power demand Brazil is emerging as Latin America’s leading data-center market as Microsoft, AWS and TikTok expand cloud and AI infrastructure in the region. According to DataCenter Hawk, Latin America contracted 328 MW of data-center capacity in the first quarter, already double the level seen in 2025, with Brazil leading hyperscaler demand. Campinas has tripled contracted capacity since 2023 and will host Microsoft server parks designed to train AI models with Nvidia chips. read more

Belterra scales agroforestry finance Belterra is preparing new investment structures that could raise more than US$159 million to convert degraded pasture into agroforestry systems focused on cocoa. The startup, founded by Valmir Ortega, already has around 2,800 hectares contracted across Pará, Rondônia, Mato Grosso and Maranhão, with about 600 hectares planted. After securing around US$20 million from BNDES’ Climate Fund and roughly US$15 million from MOV, Rise, Bold and Germany’s Ecosia, Belterra plans to use SPEs, or special-purpose vehicles, to finance expansion. The goal is to add 15,000 hectares over five to six years and reach around 20,000 hectares by 2033 or 2034. read more

Flying Rivers backs low-carbon assets Flying Rivers Capital, a climate-focused asset manager created from the climate vertical of eB Capital, has built a portfolio focused on Brazil’s low-carbon economy, including biomethane, green fertilizers, PET recycling and healthcare equipment platforms. The firm already has around US$198 million under management and recently had one of its funds approved under BNDES’ climate funding program, which could add up to US$99 million to the vehicle. Portfolio company Bioo also secured around US$2.9 million from Brazil’s Climate Fund to build a biomethane plant, while Cirklo raised about US$52 million through green debentures for PET recycling. read more

Atvos adds corn ethanol in MS Atvos will invest more than US$198 million in its first corn ethanol unit, expanding the Santa Luzia facility in Nova Alvorada do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul. The plant is expected to begin operations in 2028 and will be integrated with the company’s existing sugarcane ethanol operation, allowing year-round production and better asset utilization. The unit will process 642,000 tons of corn per year and produce 273,000 cubic meters of ethanol, along with 183,000 tons of DDG for animal nutrition and 13,000 tons of corn oil. The project strengthens Brazil’s bioenergy platform beyond sugarcane. read more

Funding & M&A

EcoInvest targets green fuels and fertilizers Brazil’s Treasury will allocate about US$1.8 billion across six new EcoInvest theses, a program designed to provide FX hedging for foreign impact capital, including dedicated lines for biofuels and green fertilizers. With bank leverage, the round is expected to mobilize between US$7.9 billion and US$10.9 billion, bringing the program close to US$39.7 billion across five editions if targets are met. The structure is designed to reach companies at different stages, from innovation funds linked to venture capital to corporate credit for larger firms, while requiring recipients to invest 10% of funds raised in research projects with universities and research centers. read more

MBRF expands into collagen and gelatin MBRF, the meat company formed by the combination of Marfrig and BRF, will invest about US$99 million in Gelprime, the gelatin and collagen company in which it holds a 50% stake. The investment will expand production at Gelprime’s Londrina facility in Paraná, including a new functional collagen line expected in the second half of 2026 and an expansion of hydrolyzed collagen production planned for 2027. MBRF said the project should double Gelprime’s capacity and take it to around 30,000 tons by 2030, potentially placing the company among the world’s five largest gelatin and collagen producers. The move deepens MBRF’s strategy around higher-value animal protein ingredients. read more

Macro & Markets

AI adoption raises security risks Brazilian companies expect a 113% increase in AI-agent identities over the next 12 months, the highest growth expectation in the Americas and behind only Israel and Hong Kong globally, according to Palo Alto Networks’ 2026 Identity Security Landscape Report. The study also found that 91% of Brazilian companies reported identity-related security breaches over the past year, close to the global average of 90%. More and more agribusinesses, cooperatives, banks and input companies are automating workflows with AI agents, increasing the need for secure digital identity, permission controls and data governance. read more

Glyphosate faces legal challenge in Brazil Brazil’s Labor Prosecutor’s Office has filed a civil lawsuit against Anvisa and the federal government seeking a nationwide ban on glyphosate, one of the country’s most widely used herbicides. The action asks for the cancellation of all glyphosate-based product registrations and a prohibition on production, commercialization, import, export and use, citing alleged health risks to rural workers, environmental damage and water contamination. The lawsuit also accuses Anvisa of a “double regulatory standard” by moving quickly to approve pesticides while taking longer to review or ban substances considered risky. Bayer and CropLife Brasil defended science-based regulatory reviews. read more

Brazil backs fertilizer factories Brazil’s lower house approved a bill creating up to US$2 billion in federal tax incentives over five years to support new fertilizer plants and modernize existing facilities. The proposal, which now returns to the Senate, would create the Profert program and use federal tax credits with an annual cap of about US$397 million. The bill also sets gradual local-content targets for fertilizers produced in Brazil, starting with a 2% mandatory national blend in 2027 and rising to 10% to 30% by 2037. Brazil currently imports around 85% of its fertilizer needs, leaving farmers exposed to global supply shocks and price volatility. read more

Brazil VC enters selective rebound Brazil’s startup market is moving into a more disciplined investment cycle after the “startup winter,” according to Thiago Maceira, head of technology at Itaú BBA. He says the funding drought forced companies to manage cash, improve governance, seek profitability and build more mature business models. Investor interest remains steady rather than explosive, with foreign capital still tracking Brazil as a large, under-digitized market where structural inefficiencies create space for innovation. The strongest opportunities over the next 12 to 24 months are expected in B2B software, fintech, data applications, AI tools, customer service automation, onboarding, credit and workflow automation. read more

JBS eyes Russell rerating JBS’ inclusion in the preliminary Russell 3000 index could unlock up to US$15 billion in market value, according to Citi estimates. The move follows JBS’ dual listing in Brazil and New York, one of the company’s main goals for improving liquidity, passive ownership and valuation. Citi expects Russell inclusion to attract US$1 billion to US$4 billion in capital flows over the next 12 to 24 months as ETFs, passive strategies and asset managers normalize exposure. Morgan Stanley also noted that Russell inclusion could help pave the way for future eligibility for the S&P 500. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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In AgTech news this week, US startup Ascribe Bioscience chose Brazil for the global launch of its Asian soybean rust biological, while Culttivo expanded from coffee credit into a broader financial platform and Cowmed projected strong growth for its dairy monitoring collars. ICL passed 10,000 NutroScan analyses in Brazil, and Agrimatching winners showed how AI is moving into fire detection, aquaculture and animal monitoring.

In Climate Tech developments, degraded pasture in Pará is being converted into agroforestry systems for premium cacao and chocolate. Embrapa showed how AI models can help predict weed pressure in integrated crop-livestock systems, supporting more preventive management and potentially reducing herbicide use.

On the Funding & M&A front, Cosan signaled it may eventually exit Raízen as the sugar and ethanol joint venture works through a financial restructuring. AgriConnection and Mosaic launched a fertilizer-focused Fiagro to finance purchases by small and mid-sized input distributors.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil’s strategic position in food, biofuels and clean energy drew fresh attention from Bradesco, while new EU antimicrobial rules added pressure to Brazilian meat exporters. A separate AI identity report placed Brazil among the global leaders in expected growth of enterprise AI agents.

Table of Contents

AgTech

• Ascribe Chooses Brazil for Global Launch

• Culttivo Expands Beyond Coffee Credit

• Cowmed Scales Smart Collars for Dairy

• ICL Scales NutroScan in Brazil

• Agrimatching Winners Highlight AI in the Field

Climate Tech

• Amazon Cacao Turns Pasture into Premium Chocolate

• Embrapa Uses AI to Predict Weeds

Funding & M&A

• Cosan May Exit Raízen as Holding Winds Down

• AgriConnection and Mosaic Launch Fertilizer Fiagro

Macro & Markets

• Brazil Gains Global Strategic Appeal

• EU Rules Pressure Brazilian Meat Exports

• Brazil Leads AI Identity Growth in the Americas

AgTech

Ascribe Chooses Brazil for Global Launch – New York-based Ascribe Bioscience, a Yield Lab portfolio company, will launch its first commercial biological product in Brazil before the United States, targeting Asian soybean rust with a natural molecule derived from soil microbiome compounds called ascarosides. The product works by activating the plant’s own immune defenses rather than attacking the fungus directly, and has already been tested in around 400 field trials across Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná and Minas Gerais. The company says its Brazilian launch reflects faster regulatory momentum, technically advanced farmers and a large bioinputs market. Ascribe expects US$10 million in Brazil revenue this year, with longer-term potential of US$100 million. read more

Culttivo Expands Beyond Coffee Credit – Culttivo, a fintech focused on credit for coffee growers, is using AI to automate credit analysis and expand into a broader financial platform for the sector. Culttivo, a Yield Lab Latam portfolio company, granted about US$60 million in credit to coffee producers in 2025 and aims to reach US$100 million in 2026 across Mogiana, South of Minas, Espírito Santo, Matas de Minas and Cerrado Mineiro. AI agents have reduced some document checks from 40 minutes to seconds, helping lower operating costs as the company grows. Culttivo has also launched a digital account, group-purchase financing, crop insurance, FX services and coffee price protection products, while preparing for a new funding round. read more

Cowmed Scales Smart Collars for Dairy – Cowmed expects revenue to grow 65% in 2026 as demand rises for its smart collars used to monitor dairy cows. The Brazilian livestock tech company should reach about US$6 million in revenue this year, up from roughly US$3.6 million in 2025, with a subscription model charged per animal monitored. Its collars track feeding, rumination, activity, rest, estrus, health signals and heat stress, with data processed by Vic, an AI system developed in-house. Cowmed already monitors 100,000 animals and aims to reach 1 million cows within five years, with Brazil driving most growth and expansion underway in Paraguay, Mexico and Uruguay. read more

ICL Scales NutroScan in Brazil – ICL has passed 10,000 field analyses in Brazil with NutroScan, its real-time plant nutrition diagnostic tool for soy and corn. The system combines in-field analysis with laboratory validation, giving ICL a growing agronomic database while helping producers identify nutrient deficiencies faster. Since its field launch in November 2025, NutroScan has reached 70% to 85% accuracy versus lab results, according to the company, with each new analysis improving the model. ICL is now expanding the technology to coffee, with sugarcane and cotton planned by the end of 2026, while also taking the model to other Latin American markets. read more

Agrimatching Winners Highlight AI in the Field – Umgrauemeio, Cadoma and Herdian won the Agrimatching startup competition at the Rural Tech Summit in Piracicaba, after 90 applicants and 45 selected startups competed across Pré-seed, Seed and Série A categories. Série A winner Umgrauemeio, a Yield Lab Latam portfolilo company, uses computer vision to detect smoke and heat in agricultural areas through its Pantera system, trained on more than 15,000 images. Seed winner Cadoma applies AI to automate fish feeding and monitor fish behavior, with revenue projected to reach US$2 million by 2028. Pré-seed winner Herdian monitors sow maternity pens with cameras to reduce piglet losses from post-birth crushing. read more

Climate Tech

Amazon Cacao Turns Pasture into Premium Chocolate – Producers in Castanhal, Pará, are turning degraded pasture into agroforestry systems that combine cacao, açaí and other crops with premium chocolate production. At Fazenda Monte Castelo, Osny de Azevedo Ramos converted former cattle land into cacao and açaí production, using fermentation and drying protocols to sell fine cacao at around US$8 to US$11 per kilo, compared with about US$2 for conventional cacao in the region. The farm now has 22 hectares planted and plans to reach 50 productive hectares. Nearby Fazenda Dom Manoel has 35 hectares in agroforestry systems and supplies Gaudens Chocolate, while planning its own chocolate factory and rural tourism project. read more

Embrapa Uses AI to Predict Weeds – Embrapa Milho e Sorgo and the Universidade do Vale do Itajaí are testing machine learning models to predict weed dynamics in integrated crop-livestock systems in the Cerrado. The study used climate, soil, crop rotation and weed population data from systems combining corn, sorghum, soy and brachiaria pasture in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. Algorithms including Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Random Forest and K-Nearest Neighbors were tested, with Decision Tree and Random Forest reaching 99% accuracy in identifying crops more prone to weed emergence. The work could support more preventive weed control, lower herbicide use and more precise field decisions. read more

Funding & M&A

Cosan May Exit Raízen as Holding Winds Down – Cosan CEO Marcelo Martins said the company may sell its minority stake in Raízen after a planned financial restructuring of the sugar and ethanol joint venture with Shell. Negotiations with Raízen creditors are advancing around a possible debt-to-equity conversion, which could dilute Cosan’s position and end its shareholder agreement with Shell. Martins said Cosan does not intend to remain a long-term Raízen shareholder and may dissolve the holding company within three to five years, distributing stakes in invested companies directly to shareholders. Raízen is seeking to avoid court-supervised restructuring while managing debt of about US$13 billion. read more

AgriConnection and Mosaic Launch Fertilizer Fiagro – AgriConnection and Mosaic have launched a fertilizer-focused Fiagro, a Brazilian agribusiness receivables fund, targeting up to US$20 million to finance fertilizer purchases by small and mid-sized input distributors. The vehicle was structured with Exa Capital and XP Investimentos and will be offered to professional investors. The fund gives AgriConnection a path into fertilizer distribution while giving Mosaic access to smaller regional distributors that are harder to reach through traditional channels. The first prospect list includes 307 resellers, with 30 invited to São Paulo for the launch. The partners say the first year will focus on learning, with expansion expected in years two and three. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil Gains Global Strategic Appeal – Bradesco agribusiness economist Priscila Trigo said high interest rates, biofuels and geopolitical instability have helped place Brazil back on the global radar as a strategic supplier of food and energy. Speaking at the Rural Tech Summit in Piracicaba, she said the country combines food production, biofuel leadership, clean energy generation and distance from major conflict zones. Recent shocks, from the pandemic to the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions, have increased concern over energy and food security. Trigo also said Brazil’s still-high Selic rate, even after cuts, continues to attract foreign capital. read more

EU Rules Pressure Brazilian Meat Exports – Brazil is racing to send the European Union documentation on antimicrobial controls after the bloc removed the country from its list of authorized exporters of live animals and animal-origin products. The measure, set to take effect on September 3, affects beef, horses, eggs, fish, honey and poultry, although Brazil may return to the list if it provides the required guarantees. The government agreed with European officials to submit information within 10 to 15 days and has also issued new guidelines on antimicrobial use in livestock. Beef faces the highest risk of a slower reversal, with restrictions potentially extending into 2027. read more

Brazil Leads AI Identity Growth in the Americas – Brazilian companies expect the number of identities linked to AI agents to grow 113% over the next 12 months, according to Palo Alto Networks’ 2026 Identity Security Landscape Report. The figure puts Brazil ahead of the rest of the Americas and behind only Israel and Hong Kong globally, as companies move faster toward so-called “agentic enterprises” powered by autonomous AI tools. The same shift is also raising cybersecurity concerns, with 91% of Brazilian companies reporting security violations. The report points to a growing challenge for corporate governance as AI agents gain access to systems, data and workflows. read more

Notice: This Thursday afternoon, May 28, we will host the second edition of the Agro Inteligente event series at Cubo Itaú in São Paulo, with online access available through the SRB YouTube channel. The event will be held in Portuguese and will focus on real AI use cases that are improving profitability, sustainability and operational performance in agribusiness. More information is available here, and registration is available here.

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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In AgTech news this week, Zeit is taking lab analysis to the field with portable AI tools, while Semear Digital and Embrapa Agricultura Digital are using drones and computer vision to improve cattle slaughter timing. Brazilian researchers also advanced nanotechnology for slower urea release and biological control for soybean pests.

In Climate Tech developments, Copersucar is preparing two new biomethane plants tied to sugarcane mills, while LOTS Group and Cocal will use biomethane-powered trucks to transport vinasse and reduce diesel use.

On the Funding & M&A front, Aimirim raised capital from Indicator Capital and SP Ventures, Amaggi agreed to buy 40% of FS, Cleam Capital acquired control of Grano Alimentos, and Oby Capital is raising a new farmland Fiagro. Fertalvo and Novatech also formed Alvotech to expand specialty fertilizers in the Cerrado.

In Macro & Markets, StoneX Leite Brasil launched a dairy hedging platform with Cepea, Brazil’s meat exporters pushed back against new EU antimicrobial rules, and the National Monetary Council softened rural credit environmental requirements after farm-sector pressure.

Table of Contents

AgTech

• Portable Lab Speeds Farm Decisions

• Beef Timing Gets Smarter

• Nano Nutrients Reduce Waste

• Biologicals Battle Soy Pest

• AI Maps Farmland

Climate Tech

• Biomethane Buildout Expands

• Green Logistics Cuts Emissions

Funding & M&A

• Factory Automation Funded

• Corn Ethanol Consolidates

• Frozen Food Funded

• Farmland Fund Raises

• Fertilizer JV Expands Footprint

Macro & Markets

• Milk Market Modernizes

• EU Meat Rules Threaten Brazil Exports

• Credit Rules Recalibrated

AgTech

Portable Lab Speeds Farm Decisions – Zeit, a deeptech startup from Rio Grande do Sul, is bringing chemical analysis out of the lab and into the field with portable devices and embedded AI. Founded in 2020 by researchers from the Federal University of Santa Maria, the company expects to reach about US$1m in revenue in 2026, five times more than in 2025, after growing its client base by 300% since January. A joint venture with Nira monitors commodity quality in soymeal and milk, with more than 250,000 tons already tracked, while its Zeit K tool measures potassium in plants in under five minutes to guide fertilizer decisions. read more

Beef Timing Gets Smarter – Researchers are testing drones and AI to identify the ideal slaughter timing for feedlot cattle, potentially reducing feed costs and improving herd management. The system was tested at Fazenda Campanário in Laguna Carapã, Mato Grosso do Sul, tracking 110 Nelore cattle over 112 days. Using computer vision, the technology identified that animals were ready for slaughter up to one week earlier than traditional methods, creating an estimated feed saving of about US$2,700 for that lot. Applied across Fazenda Campanário’s 14,600 confined cattle, the efficiency gain could reach roughly US$360,000. The study was developed by Semear Digital in partnership with Embrapa Agricultura Digital. read more

Nano Nutrients Reduce Waste – Brazilian researchers developed a biodegradable nanotechnology coating that slows the release of urea, aiming to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce nitrogen losses. The work, led by Embrapa, the University of Ribeirão Preto, Unesp, and USP, combines castor-oil-based polyurethane with mineral nanoclay to encapsulate urea granules. In water-release tests, conventional urea released more than 85% of its nitrogen in four hours, while the nanoclay-coated version released only 22% over nine days. In greenhouse tests with capim-piatã, the coated fertilizer improved dry matter production and nitrogen uptake, with absorption reaching twice the level seen under conventional fertilization. read more

Biologicals Battle Soy Pest – Brazilian researchers identified a new use for the bacterium Bacillus altitudinis to control brown stink bug, one of the hardest pests to manage in Brazilian soybean fields and linked to estimated losses of about US$2.2 billion per season. The discovery by INCT NanoAgro, connected to Unesp, showed near 80% mortality in lab tests, compared with the 30% to 40% efficiency range cited for many chemical products. The bacterium works through contact with the insect’s legs rather than ingestion, offering a different biological pathway. The technology is still at proof-of-concept stage and could take three to six years to reach the market. read more

AI Maps Farmland – Researchers from U.S. universities have built a global AI-powered agricultural field map that identifies farm boundaries from satellite images, creating a standardized dataset for crop monitoring, food security, and land-use analysis. The Fields of The World project mapped 1.55 billion agricultural polygons across 241 countries and territories in 2025, using Sentinel-2 imagery and a machine-learning model trained on field-boundary data from 24 countries, including Brazil. The tool could support more granular analysis of farms, crops, deforestation risk, and climate programs, although the project appears to be global research rather than a Brazil-specific deployment. read more

Climate Tech

Biomethane Buildout Expands – Copersucar plans to build two new biomethane plants at associated sugarcane mills from late 2026 or early 2027, adding momentum to its renewable gas strategy. Each unit is expected to cost between about US$40 million and US$60 million, bringing total investment for the two plants to as much as US$120 million. The company already has biomethane plants linked to Cocal in Narandiba and Paraguaçu Paulista, using vinasse and filter cake from sugarcane processing. Its BioRota project has replaced around 5 million liters of diesel, avoided more than 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions, and completed over 13,000 truck trips since April 2024. read more

Green Logistics Cuts Emissions – LOTS Group and Cocal will launch Brazil’s first industrial-scale operation using biomethane-powered trucks to transport vinasse, an organic fertilizer produced from sugarcane ethanol residues. The project will use 44 trucks running entirely on biomethane and is expected to replace more than 19 million liters of diesel over five years, avoiding about 41,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The companies estimate a 91% reduction in pollutants compared with an equivalent diesel truck operation. The partnership could later expand biomethane use to other areas of Cocal’s agricultural operations, including sugarcane transport between fields and industrial plants. read more

Funding & M&A

Factory Automation Funded – Aimirim raised about US$2 million in a round co-led by Indicator Capital and SP Ventures to scale automation tools for agroindustries. Founded ten years ago by mechanical engineer Renato Pacheco Silva and incubated at the Federal University of Uberlândia, the deeptech company combines hardware and software for industrial monitoring, including sensors that measure grain volumes in silos and devices that help reduce energy use in sugarcane boilers. The funding will support larger orders of its IoT devices, expand its commercial team, and help the company move beyond large clients such as BAT, Raízen, and VLI into mid-sized agroindustrial customers. read more

Corn Ethanol Consolidates – Amaggi agreed to acquire 40% of FS, marking one of the most significant deals in Brazil’s corn ethanol industry. The transaction, filed with Cade for approval, includes a US$100 million primary share issuance by FS, while the value of Amaggi’s secondary purchase from existing shareholders was not disclosed. FS and Amaggi will remain separate companies, but the agreement gives Amaggi board representation and exclusivity for future corn ethanol investments through FS. FS is building its fourth plant in Campo Novo do Parecis, has two additional Mato Grosso sites, and expects to open a carbon capture and storage unit in Lucas do Rio Verde in September. read more

Frozen Food Funded – Cleam Capital acquired control of Grano Alimentos, Brazil’s leading frozen vegetable company, opening a new growth cycle after a decade under Arlon. The transaction value was not disclosed and Rabobank advised the process. Based in Serafina Corrêa, Rio Grande do Sul, Grano holds more than 40% of the Brazilian frozen vegetable market, according to Nielsen, and expects to reach about US$55 million in revenue in 2026. The company aims to grow toward roughly US$180 million in annual revenue by expanding geographically, especially into the Center-West, Northeast, and North, while strengthening retail, food service, and co-packer channels. read more

Farmland Fund Raises – Oby Capital is seeking about US$23 million for a new Fiagro focused on buying and leasing farmland to producers and sugarcane mills. The Ribeirão Preto-based manager has around US$360 million under management and already runs a listed farmland Fiagro, LAFI11, with about US$16 million in assets. The new fund will use a buy-to-lease strategy and target qualified investors, with XP as distributor. Its initial pipeline includes 5,000 hectares across São Paulo and Minas Gerais, valued at roughly US$70 million, mostly linked to sugarcane production. The fund aims to acquire three properties. read more

Fertilizer Footprint Expands – Fertalvo and Novatech formed Alvotech, a joint venture focused on bringing specialty fertilizers to Cerrado producers in crops such as soybeans, corn, and cotton. The company is building a factory in Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, expected to begin operations in September with capacity of 3 million to 5 million liters per year and investment of about US$2.2 million to US$2.6 million. Alvotech expects to generate around US$5.5 million in revenue in 2026 and sees a potential specialty fertilizer market of about US$620 million. It has also opened a commercial base in Rio Verde, Goiás, to support expansion across the Cerrado. read more

Macro & Markets

Milk Market Modernizes – StoneX Leite Brasil launched a new hedging tool for Brazil’s dairy market in partnership with Cepea, giving producers, cooperatives, dairies, traders, and retailers a way to lock future prices and protect margins. The OTC platform offers four contracts: producer milk and UHT milk, each at 40,000 liters, mozzarella at 4,000 kilos, and industrial whole milk powder at 5 tons. Settlement will use Cepea price indicators, with no physical delivery. The tool arrives as Brazil’s dairy chain faces price volatility, low planning visibility, and a dumping investigation into milk powder imports from Argentina and Uruguay. read more

EU Meat Rules Threaten Brazil Exports – Brazil’s meat industry reacted after the European Union removed the country from its list of nations that comply with the bloc’s rules on antimicrobial use in animal production. If the decision is not reversed, exports of beef, chicken, honey, eggs, and other animal-origin products could face restrictions from September 3. Brazil exported about US$1.8 billion in meat to the EU in 2025, including 128,000 tons of beef and 230,000 tons of chicken. Industry groups ABIEC and ABPA said exports continue normally for now and that Brazil is working with officials to meet the EU’s technical requirements. read more

Credit Rules Recalibrated – Brazil’s National Monetary Council delayed and softened environmental requirements that had restricted rural credit for producers flagged by Prodes satellite deforestation monitoring. The rule, which began in April, had drawn strong opposition from farm groups and triggered a legal challenge by CNA at the Supreme Court. The CMN will now phase in the measure by farm size, with larger properties starting in January 2027, and will accept additional documents such as vegetation suppression authorizations and environmental commitment terms to prove compliance. Farm leaders called the move a partial victory but said they will keep pushing for broader changes in Congress and the courts. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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In AgTech news this week, São Joaquim turns apples into a premium “caviar” ingredient, Olho do Dono targets Australia and China with AI cattle weighing, Jacto launches Brazil’s first autonomous sprayer, Solinftec tests a new robot adoption model in the US, TIM moves from farm connectivity into AI, and a new study links irrigation to stronger rural GDP.

In Climate Tech developments, Unicamp transforms passion fruit waste into bioactives for food and cosmetics, Embrapa tests struvite from swine waste as a phosphate fertilizer alternative, Brazilian corn ethanol gains approval for maritime fuel use, NaturAll Carbon partners with Fazenda Nova Piratininga on regenerative carbon credits, and CTC wins approval for herbicide-resistant GM sugarcane.

On the Funding & M&A front, Marfrig and BRF create Sadia Halal, a US$2.07 billion joint venture focused on halal protein production and distribution, with a potential IPO in Saudi Arabia planned by 2027.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil’s soybean crop could hit a record 181.6 million tons, urea prices ease after two months of gains, China’s beef quota could redirect Brazilian exports, ag exports help lift Brazil’s trade surplus, and the sector watches Lula-Trump trade talks for progress on beef, ethanol and tariffs.

Table of Contents

AgTech

• Apple Caviar Showcases São Joaquim Fruit Innovation

• Olho do Dono Targets Australia and China Expansion

• Jacto Launches Brazil’s First Autonomous Sprayer

• Solinftec Launches Freedom Per Acre in the US

• TIM Pushes from Farm Connectivity into AI

• Irrigated Regions Show Higher Rural GDP

Climate Tech

• Unicamp Turns Passion Fruit Waste into Bioactives

• Embrapa Tests Struvite as Fertilizer Alternative

• Brazilian Corn Ethanol Cleared for Maritime Fuel Use

• NaturAll Carbon Partners with Nova Piratininga

• CTC Wins Approval for Herbicide-Resistant GM Sugarcane

Funding & M&A

• Marfrig and BRF Create US$2B Sadia Halal Venture

Macro & Markets

• Brazil Soy Crop Could Hit Record 181.6M Tons

• Urea Prices Ease After Two-Month Rally

• China Beef Quota Could Redirect Brazil Exports

• Ag Exports Help Lift Brazil Trade Surplus

• Brazil Ag Eyes Lula-Trump Trade Talks

AgTech

Apple Caviar Showcases São Joaquim Fruit Innovation – A pastry chef in São Joaquim, Santa Catarina, has created “apple caviar” as part of a campaign to promote the city’s National Apple Festival and its role as Brazil’s apple capital. Bianca Goulart Zanete used molecular gastronomy techniques to turn Fuji apples into small spheres that resemble caviar, with a firm outside and liquid center. São Joaquim harvested 250,000 tons of apples in 2024, representing 25% of Brazil’s production and 58% of Santa Catarina’s crop, according to IBGE. read more

Olho do Dono Targets Australia and China Expansion – Brazilian startup Olho do Dono (Eye of the Owner) is preparing international expansion plans for Australia and China as it advances its cattle weighing technology in Brazil. The company uses 3D cameras and artificial intelligence to estimate cattle weight without conventional scales, helping ranchers monitor animals with less handling and lower operational friction. The startup has received new investment and is now negotiating entry into foreign markets. With beef supply chains under pressure to improve productivity, animal management and data capture, the company’s model points to growing demand for AI tools that turn visual field data into practical farm decisions. read more

Jacto Launches Brazil’s First Autonomous Sprayer – Brazilian machinery maker Jacto launched what it says is the first autonomous sprayer in the Brazilian market during Agrishow 2026. The Arbus 4000 JAV, developed since 2010 with orange juice company Citrosuco, is designed for citrus orchards and costs from about US$350,000. The machine can move through fields alone, apply crop protection products, stop when it detects obstacles and operate for up to 24 consecutive hours, with capacity to treat more than 1,000 hectares per month when properly configured. Jacto expects to produce 12 units this year, with four already delivered. read more

Solinftec Launches Freedom Per Acre in the US – Solinftec is launching a new “freedom per acre” model in the United States to accelerate adoption of its Solix farm robots through direct, on-farm experience rather than traditional sales pitches. The program will place robots for one week on farms, with a two-person team installing the equipment and translating machine performance into data on productivity, cost reduction and field coverage. Solinftec has mapped 10 producers across Indiana, Iowa and Illinois for the first phase, while operating 150 robots in the US and 100 in Brazil. The model is expected to arrive in Brazil in the second half of 2026, starting with sugarcane. read more

TIM Pushes from Farm Connectivity into AI – TIM Brasil says it has reached about US$74 million in IoT contracts with agribusiness clients and now wants to move deeper into data and artificial intelligence services for the sector. The company’s agricultural connectivity footprint reached 27.3 million hectares, up 32% from a year earlier, with potential to benefit 357,000 rural properties. TIM says agriculture now represents 36% of its IoT business, with clients including SLC Agrícola, Amaggi, Jalles Machado, BP Bionergy and Citrosuco. Its acquisition of V8.Tech, approved at about US$29 million, is part of a strategy to help farms connect data, reduce cloud costs and train AI for operational decisions. read more

Irrigated Regions Show Higher Rural GDP – Brazilian regions that use irrigation have stronger economic and social indicators than other rural municipalities, according to a study by Abimaq and ESALQ/USP. The survey found that GDP per capita in irrigated regions can be up to 256% higher, with Mato Grosso reaching more than US$37,000 per person in one example. Brazil currently has about 8.2 million hectares equipped for irrigation, but official data suggest the total could grow more than fivefold, adding up to 55.85 million hectares, much of it on pastureland. The study estimates that every 1,600 hectares added could increase agricultural gross value by about US$1.7 million initially, rising to around US$2.9 million over time. read more

Climate Tech

Unicamp Turns Passion Fruit Waste into Bioactives – Researchers at FEA-Unicamp have developed a sustainable process to extract natural bioactive compounds from passion fruit bagasse, a byproduct made mostly of seeds and peel that can represent up to 70% of the fruit’s weight. The technology uses supercritical CO2, water and ethanol instead of petroleum-based solvents to recover compounds such as tocopherols, tocotrienols and phenolics with antioxidant and anti-aging potential. The patent was licensed by the startup Rubian Extratos, a Unicamp incubator graduate, which has already launched the ingredient in cosmetic formulations and is now exploring international markets and nutraceutical applications. read more

Embrapa Tests Struvite as Fertilizer Alternative – Embrapa Agrobiologia is testing struvite, a slow-release fertilizer produced from swine farming waste, as a domestic alternative to imported phosphate fertilizers. Field trials in soy showed the material could supply up to 50% of phosphorus demand while maintaining productivity near Brazil’s 2025 average, at about 3,500 kg per hectare. Brazil imports around 75% of its phosphate fertilizer needs, making local alternatives strategically important. Embrapa estimates that adoption on farms with more than 5,000 pigs could generate around 340,000 tons of struvite per year, while also reducing nutrient pollution from animal waste. read more

Brazilian Corn Ethanol Cleared for Maritime Fuel Use – Brazilian second-crop corn ethanol has received an important approval from the International Maritime Organization, opening the door for its use in maritime transport. The IMO defined a carbon emissions baseline of 20.8 grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule for Brazilian corn ethanol, compared with 93.3 grams for traditional marine fuel. The recognition gives shipping companies a technical reference for using the biofuel in decarbonization plans. Brazil is also seeking IMO approval for sugarcane ethanol and biodiesel made from soy and beef tallow for maritime use. read more

NaturAll Carbon Partners with Nova Piratininga – NaturAll Carbon has signed a partnership with Fazenda Nova Piratininga, one of Brazil’s largest farms, to develop a regenerative agriculture carbon credit project across 12,300 hectares in Goiás and Tocantins. The project will focus on converting pasture areas and adopting practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, cover crops and crop-livestock integration to increase soil carbon sequestration. The companies expect the project to generate up to 30,000 carbon credits, with first issuances planned for 2027 after registration and verification by Verra. NaturAll is targeting 150,000 hectares under management by 2027, with potential sequestration of up to 300,000 tons of CO2 per year. read more

CTC Wins Approval for Herbicide-Resistant GM Sugarcane – Brazil’s biosafety commission CTNBio has approved a new genetically modified sugarcane variety developed by Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, resistant to both sugarcane borer and herbicides such as glyphosate. The variety, commercially called VerdPro2, is expected to reach the market in the 2026/27 harvest after final legal steps. CTC plans to develop 14 varieties with the technology and initially introduce them with selected customers under technical monitoring. The company says the new sugarcane can simplify weed control, reduce phytotoxicity risks and help address borer-related losses estimated at about US$1.6 billion per year, while weed control costs exceed US$1.2 billion annually. read more

Funding & M&A

Marfrig and BRF Create US$2B Sadia Halal Venture – Marfrig and BRF have completed the creation of Sadia Halal, a joint venture bringing together halal protein production in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The new company has an enterprise value of US$2.07 billion and is preparing for a potential IPO on Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul exchange by 2027. BRF’s subsidiary will hold 90% of Sadia Halal, while HPDC, linked to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, will hold 10%, with the option to raise its stake to as much as 40% before the IPO. BRF also signed a renewable 10-year supply agreement from its Brazilian units. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil Soy Crop Could Hit Record 181.6M Tons – Brazil’s 2025/26 soybean crop could reach a record 181.6 million tons, according to StoneX, after favorable weather supported yields and the harvest neared completion across most of the country. The consultancy also raised its forecast for Brazil’s first corn crop to 28.32 million tons, up from 27.18 million tons previously. For second-crop corn, now still developing in the field, StoneX projected 106.15 million tons, a slight increase from last month’s estimate. Even so, total corn output is expected to fall by about 3 million tons compared with the previous cycle. read more

Urea Prices Ease After Two-Month Rally – Urea prices have started to weaken after two months of sharp gains, as softer demand begins to outweigh supply concerns linked to logistics restrictions in the Middle East. In Brazil, StoneX said urea prices have fallen for a second consecutive week, with deals closing slightly below US$770 per ton, around 4% lower than reference prices two weeks earlier. Price declines have also been seen in the United States, China, the Middle East and Egypt, pointing to a broader global correction. StoneX expects further declines to be limited in the short term, as Middle East bottlenecks continue to restrict international supply. read more

China Beef Quota Could Redirect Brazil Exports – Brazil is nearing its annual beef export quota to China, creating pressure on local meatpackers to redirect shipments to other markets. China imposed import quotas in early 2026 to protect domestic producers, and additional volumes above the quota face a 55% tariff. According to Bloomberg, China imported more than 510,000 tons of Brazilian beef in the first quarter, equal to 46% of the quota, and the share may have reached 65% by the end of April. Datagro expects the limit to be reached in June, which could slow Brazilian slaughter and increase supply to markets such as the United States. read more

Ag Exports Help Lift Brazil Trade Surplus – Brazil’s trade surplus rose 43.5% year over year from January to April 2026, reaching US$24.78 billion, according to Secex data. Total exports reached US$116.55 billion, up 9.2%, while imports totaled US$91.77 billion. Agriculture remained one of the main contributors, with ag exports reaching US$26.39 billion in the first four months of the year, up 6.6%. On the import side, agricultural purchases fell 21.4% to US$1.80 billion, widening the sector’s positive contribution to the trade balance. The extractive industry also grew strongly, while manufacturing posted a smaller export gain. read more

Brazil Ag Eyes Lula-Trump Trade Talks – Brazil’s agribusiness sector is watching the Lula-Trump recent meeting for possible progress on beef quotas, ethanol tariffs and broader trade risks linked to the US Section 301 investigation. Brazilian beef exporters want changes to the US quota system, as the current shared quota allows around 50,000 tons at reduced tariffs before a 26.4% tariff applies. US imports of Brazilian beef reached 107,000 tons from January to March, up 13.4% from a year earlier, according to Abiec. Ethanol was also expected to be discussed, after Trump criticized Brazil’s 18% tariff on US ethanol while the US charges 2.5% on Brazilian ethanol. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Share

Summary

In Brazil AgTech news last week, startups are turning farm machines into data platforms, Roncador is converting rock from its mines into fertilizer, Agriodor is targeting Brazil with aroma-based pest control, China's XCMG is preparing to launch tractors in Brazil, and Bayer is expanding FieldView, prescription tools and machine integrations.

In Climate Tech developments, updated Zarc data shows climate risk has shifted planting windows in nearly 60% of Brazilian municipalities, machinery makers are testing ethanol and biomethane equipment at Agrishow, InPlanet is scaling basalt-based carbon removal, and FPT is investing in ethanol, biomethane and natural gas engines in Brazil.

On the Funding & M&A front, Agrorobótica raised US$2 million to scale soil carbon analysis, Finep received a US$620 million capital boost, EY agreed to buy MB Agro, Brazil launched US$1.8 billion in farm fleet credit, and Sicredi expanded its agro loan book to US$9.4 billion.

In Macro & Markets, John Deere called for a long-term state plan for Brazilian agriculture, while high interest rates, weaker machinery sales and election-year politics dominated the Agrishow agenda.

Table of Contents

AgTech

• Roncador Turns Rock into Fertilizer

• Agriodor Raises €15M to Target Brazil

• XCMG Prepares Brazil Tractor Launch

• Bayer Expands Digital Farming Tools

• Startups Powering Smarter Farm Machines

Climate Tech

• Climate Risk Shifts Planting Calendar

• Cleaner Machines Debut at Agrishow

• InPlanet Uses Rock Dust for Carbon Removal

• FPT Invests in Ethanol and Biomethane Engines

Funding & M&A

• Agrorobótica Raises US$2M for Soil Carbon

• Finep Gets Capital Boost

• EY Buys MB Agro Consultancy

• Brazil Launches Farm Fleet Credit

• Sicredi Expands Agro Credit Portfolio

Macro & Markets

• John Deere Calls for Long-Term Ag Plan

• High Rates and Politics Dominate Agrishow Agenda

AgTech

Roncador Turns Rock into Fertilizer – Grupo Roncador is entering the fertilizer market with a natural remineralizer made from crushed rock extracted from its limestone mines in Mato Grosso. After geochemical analysis with the Federal University of Goiás, the group found the rocks contained nutrients including potassium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus and calcium. Field tests in 2020 showed nine extra bags of soybeans per hectare where rock powder replaced potassium chloride. The product, registered in 2025 as “silicálcio,” is now used across 53,000 hectares, and Roncador plans to produce 2 million tons per year. read more

Agriodor Raises €15M to Target Brazil – French agtech Agriodor has raised €15 million in a Series A round to scale its natural aroma-based pest control technology, with Brazil identified as one of its key markets outside Europe. The startup develops “olfactory biocontrol” products that use plant-based aromas to attract, repel or disrupt insect pests, offering a complement to conventional insecticides. Its first commercial product was developed with Syngenta for sugar beet in Europe. In Brazil, Agriodor plans to start with fruit, vegetable and flower crops through local partners, while adapting its technology to local pests, regulations and farming practices. read more

XCMG Prepares Brazil Tractor Launch – Chinese equipment giant XCMG is preparing to sell agricultural tractors in Brazil, expanding beyond its established presence in construction and mining machinery. The company plans to commercialize two lower-horsepower models, with 86 hp and 100 hp, to test demand in the Brazilian market, with first sales expected at the start of the next crop season. XCMG already operates a factory in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, and is gradually localizing production, including a development center focused on adapting equipment to Brazilian conditions. Its main reseller, Grupo Extra, is investing about US$8.9 million to expand its local footprint. read more

Bayer Expands Digital Farming Tools – Bayer used Agrishow to present new digital agriculture tools built around FieldView, agronomic recommendations and sustainability-linked business models. The company’s FieldView Drive 2.0 will be available for the 2026/27 season, with data transfer up to 12 times faster than the current version. Bayer says FieldView now connects 31 million hectares, while its Valora Milho recommendation platform already has more than 650,000 hectares enrolled for the 2026 safrinha (second-crop corn). New integrations with John Deere will allow FieldView prescriptions to be sent wirelessly to machine operation centers, reducing manual steps and errors. read more

Startups Powering Smarter Farm Machines – Brazilian startups are gaining ground in agricultural machinery, drones and equipment, with 115 agtechs now active in the segment, according to Embrapa’s Radar Agtech 2025, up 47.5% from 2022. Brazil now has 2,075 agtechs, the first time the survey has passed 2,000 companies, and “inside the farm” solutions account for 41.1% of the total. Startups such as Velos and GeoIA are helping turn machines into data platforms, using sensors, telemetry, computer vision and algorithms to monitor operations, detect field problems and generate executable files for equipment. read more

Climate Tech

Climate Risk Shifts Planting Calendar – Climate risk has changed planting windows in almost 60% of Brazilian municipalities, according to updated data from the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning system, known as Zarc. The new database shows changes in 3,285 cities, equal to 58.9% of Brazil’s 5,569 municipalities, based on climate series from 1992 to 2022. Of those, 1,474 cities saw shorter planting windows, mainly in the Southeast and Northeast, while 1,811 gained longer windows, mostly in the North and South. Embrapa says the next step is ZarcNM, which will combine climate risk with soil management quality. read more

Cleaner Machines Debut at Agrishow – Agricultural machinery makers brought more low-carbon equipment to Agrishow this year, with new models powered by ethanol, biomethane and other renewable fuels. Case IH showed advances in ethanol-powered machines, including a two-row sugarcane harvester with more than 600 hours of testing and a Puma 230 tractor that has passed 800 hours in sugarcane operations. Valtra presented a biomethane engine for sugarcane and grain farms, while New Holland’s T6.180 Methane Power can cut regulated pollutant emissions by up to 80% and CO2 emissions by 84% compared with diesel engines. read more

InPlanet Uses Rock Dust for Carbon Removal – InPlanet is scaling an enhanced rock weathering model that applies finely ground basalt to agricultural soils to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and improve soil quality. Founded by Niklas Kluger and Felix Harteneck, the Brazil-Germany climatetech now concentrates 100% of its operations in Brazil, where tropical rainfall, basalt reserves, large-scale agriculture and regulation for remineralizers support adoption. Farmers receive the rock powder without paying for the input, while InPlanet monitors the impact and sells verified carbon credits internationally. The company recently signed a Microsoft agreement to remove more than 28,500 tons of CO2 from 2026 to 2028. read more

FPT Invests in Ethanol and Biomethane Engines – FPT, the Italian engine maker owned by Iveco Group, will invest about US$45 million in Brazil through 2028, more than previously planned under a cycle that began in 2023. The company said the money will support factory improvements, new products, innovation and localization, with a focus on ethanol, biomethane and natural gas engines as alternatives to diesel in agriculture. FPT supplies the ethanol engine being tested by Case IH and says commercialization of ethanol-powered farm machines could begin in 2027. Biomethane engines are more advanced, with New Holland already selling some tractors using FPT technology. read more

Funding & M&A

Agrorobótica Raises US$2M for Soil Carbon – Agrorobótica has raised about US$2 million from VOX Capital, who manage Banco do Brasil’s corporate venture capital fund, to scale its soil analysis and carbon certification technology. Incubated by Embrapa, the startup uses LIBS laser spectroscopy, proprietary sensors and AI software to analyze 27 soil parameters in around 20 seconds, compared with up to 20 days for traditional lab analysis. Its technology already covers more than 1 million hectares and serves clients including Amaggi and Atvos. Agrorobótica says the platform could unlock at least US$178 million in soil carbon credits over two decades. read more

Finep Gets Capital Boost – Brazil’s government has sanctioned a capital increase for Finep, the country’s main public innovation financing agency, with approximately US$620 million from the Treasury using shares in Banco do Nordeste and Banco da Amazônia. The move is designed to expand Finep’s lending capacity for innovation projects across strategic sectors, including semiconductors, energy transition and AI. Finep says demand has accelerated under the Nova Indústria Brasil program, with nearly 3,000 financing requests totaling around US$7.1 billion over the past two years. read more

EY Buys MB Agro Consultancy – EY has signed an agreement to acquire MB Agro, one of Brazil’s best-known agribusiness strategy and market intelligence consultancies. The deal brings Alexandre Mendonça de Barros, José Carlos Hausknecht and the MB Agro team into EY, strengthening its advisory capabilities across market analysis, credit, risk, investment and M&A in the Brazilian agribusiness chain. MB Agro’s subscription reports and sector analysis products will continue to be distributed through EY Brazil, while its active client and project portfolio will also be incorporated. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. read more

Brazil Launches Farm Fleet Credit – Brazil’s government announced a US$1.8 billion Move Agriculture program at Agrishow 2026 to finance tractors, harvesters and farm implements with single-digit interest rates. The resources will be operated by Finep, with participation from Banco do Brasil, cooperatives and private financial institutions. The initiative follows an earlier Move Brasil program for trucks, whose funds were fully absorbed in about 90 days. São Paulo also announced about US$7.1 million in subsidies under Pró-Trator, targeting small producers and covering part of the interest cost on machinery financing. read more

Sicredi Expands Agro Credit Portfolio – Sicredi’s agro credit portfolio reached about US$9.4 billion in the first nine months of the 2025/26 crop year, up 16.5% from the same period last season. Growth was led by dollar-linked credit lines, which rose about 70% to roughly US$710 million, focused on farmers with export-linked revenues. Sicredi says its cooperative model and consultative relationship with members helped expand lending despite high interest rates, tighter credit and rising defaults in the broader market. The institution also handled about 80% of São Paulo’s Pró-Trator disbursements and around US$1.6 billion in BNDES-backed agro credit. read more

Macro & Markets

John Deere Calls for Long-Term Ag Plan – John Deere executive Alfredo Miguel Neto says Brazilian agriculture needs a long-term state plan rather than shifting government programs to address chronic bottlenecks in storage, logistics, credit, insurance and irrigation. He noted that agribusiness represented 25.1% of Brazil’s GDP in 2025, but still faces structural gaps, including storage capacity equal to only 70% of production and heavy dependence on road transport. The debate comes as the machinery sector faces tighter credit, lower commodity prices and weaker sales, with Abimaq revising its 2026 agricultural machinery outlook from 3.4% growth to a 5% decline. read more

High Rates and Politics Dominate Agrishow Agenda – High interest rates and the 2026 election cycle dominated discussions at Agrishow, with machinery companies warning that expensive credit is delaying investment decisions by farmers. Brazil's Agricultural Machinery Association, Abimaq, now projects an 8% drop in agricultural machinery sales in 2026, while first-bimester sales fell 17% from a year earlier. Executives said tight margins, lower dollar-linked revenues and high CDI-linked debt have made financing harder, especially after years of cheap credit. The debate also became political, with presidential pre-candidates using the fair to argue for lower public spending and lower interest rates. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Share

Summary

In AgriFood Tech news, a new biodetergent developed by Embrapa extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, while Agrishow 2026 highlights the growing use of data, automation and connected machinery in farm management. Solinftec is expanding its robotics platform alongside a multi-agent AI system, and adoption trends show a shift from isolated tools toward integrated operational systems.

In Climate Tech developments, second-crop canola is emerging as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, with emissions reductions of up to 55% in modeled scenarios. Brazil’s biofuels production is projected to reach 30 billion liters by 2030, driven by corn ethanol, while the government is considering an increase in the ethanol blend to E32. New initiatives are mapping coffee supply chains to meet deforestation rules, and Vale is advancing ethanol-powered shipping.

On the Funding & M&A front, Itaú Ventures is backing Minter’s mobile data center model to monetize curtailed renewable energy. VLI is investing $16 million to expand grain export capacity in Maranhão, increasing both port and internal handling throughput.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil’s crop protection market has returned to nearly $20 billion, supported by higher treated area and demand from soy and corn. Record harvests are shifting the focus toward management and technology use on farms, while the Supreme Court has maintained existing restrictions on foreign ownership of rural land.

Table of Contents

AgriFood Tech

• New biodetergent extends shelf life of fruits and vegetables

• Agrishow 2026 showcases AI, robotics and precision ag innovations

• Solinftec expands robotics and AI agent platform

• Brazil enters the “second wave” of AI in agriculture

• São Paulo accelerates AI adoption across agriculture

Climate Tech

• Second-crop canola shows SAF emissions potential

• Brazil’s biofuels expansion raises new “food vs fuel” questions

• Coffee giants launch global deforestation mapping initiative

• Brazil moves closer to E32 ethanol blend

• Ethanol-powered shipping gains traction with Vale deal

Funding & M&A

• Itaú Ventures backs mobile data center model to monetize curtailment

• VLI invests $16 million to expand grain export capacity in Maranhão

Macro & Markets

• Agro shifts from expansion to efficiency as technology becomes the edge

• Crop protection market rebounds toward $20 billion level

• Brazil maintains restrictions on foreign land ownership

AgriFood Tech

Brazilian researchers develop post-harvest biodetergent – Researchers from UFRJ and Embrapa have developed a non-agrochemical biodetergent designed to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by preventing fungal growth after harvest. In orange tests, 11 out of every 12 treated fruits remained intact after 10 days. The research began from a Petrobras-commissioned oil study in 2009 and later evolved through an Embrapa partnership focused on food conservation. The team is now preparing larger-scale tests using industrial application methods and evaluating the product on other fruits, including strawberry, papaya and guava, as well as grains such as beans and soy. read more

Agrishow spotlights data-driven farm tech – Agrishow 2026 will take place from April 27 to May 1 in Ribeirão Preto, bringing more than 800 brands to a 520,000-square-meter exhibition area, with expected attendance of more than 200,000 visitors. The fair will highlight automation, sensors, precision agriculture, connected machinery, robotics and digital farm management platforms, while visitors will also have access to an AI-powered app to help navigate the event. SAE Brasil research cited by Agrishow says 91% of surveyed producers use GPS, 85% use financial management apps, 76% use satellite imagery and agronomic management apps, 70% use precision agriculture practices and 61% use drones. Featured launches include equipment from Valtra, Massey Ferguson, Fendt, AGTech, PTx, Solinftec and TOTVS. read more

Solinftec expands robotics and AI agent platform – Solinftec will present two new autonomous agricultural robots, the Solix XT and Solix XC, during Agrishow 2026, alongside Alice IA Multiagente, a platform that uses multiple AI agents to turn field data into operational recommendations and actions. The Solix XT is designed for continuous operation through the crop cycle, with autonomy of up to 50 hours and coverage of up to 500 hectares, initially in sugarcane. The Solix XC targets larger-scale operations, with autonomy of up to 70 hours and coverage of up to 1,000 hectares per cycle in soy, corn and cotton. Alice will initially include six agents focused on support, operations, climate, data analysis, fleet availability and spatial projection. read more

Brazilian agribusiness enters AI’s second wave – Brazilian agribusiness is moving from isolated AI use cases toward broader automation of business processes. The shift includes digital contract management, automated purchase orders, document traceability, predictive analytics and natural language tools for compliance, supplier management, certifications and quality control. In export-oriented chains such as soy and beef, AI is being applied to integrate data across contracts, logistics, invoicing, regulatory compliance and commercialization workflows. read more

São Paulo expands AI use across agriculture – Artificial intelligence is being applied across agricultural operations in São Paulo to improve efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses by up to 30% and support decision-making. The state concentrates 845 agtech companies, representing 43.2% of the national total. Initiatives include innovation hubs connecting research institutions, startups and producers, and platforms that integrate climate, soil and financial data to forecast productivity and risk with high accuracy. Public programs are also using AI for geolocation of rural properties and environmental compliance. read more

Climate Tech

Second-crop canola shows SAF emissions potential – A life-cycle assessment by Embrapa and the University of Brasília found that sustainable aviation fuel made from second-crop canola in Brazil could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55% compared with fossil Jet-A1 kerosene, depending on adoption scenarios. The study modeled the HEFA route, which converts vegetable oils into aviation fuel, and considered emissions from crop production through final fuel use. The result depends heavily on the use of renewable hydrogen in industrial conversion and on fertilizer management during cultivation. Researchers said canola’s use as a second crop in rotation with soy can improve land-use efficiency. read more

Corn ethanol to drive Brazil biofuels growth – Brazil’s biofuels production is projected to reach around 30 billion liters by 2030, with corn ethanol accounting for roughly one-third of the total. The country had 29 corn ethanol plants in operation at the end of 2025, with 16 more under construction, concentrated in Mato Grosso, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. Growth is supported by rising demand for sustainable fuels, including aviation fuel and maritime applications, while co-products such as DDG support animal feed markets. Constraints include biomass supply for energy generation and regulatory uncertainty around its sourcing. read more

Coffee giants launch deforestation mapping initiative – JDE Peet’s, Louis Dreyfus, Sucafina and Neumann Kaffee Gruppe are creating the Coffee Canopy Partnership to map coffee farms and support compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation, which takes effect on December 30. The platform will use satellite data, artificial intelligence and on-site verification to identify coffee production areas and will make the map publicly available. The pilot will cover about 1.2 million square kilometers of coffee-growing areas in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, with plans to expand to all coffee-growing regions by 2027. read more

Brazil moves closer to E32 ethanol blend – Brazil’s government is expected to review a proposal in early May to raise the anhydrous ethanol blend in gasoline from 30% to 32%. Mines and Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira said the proposal will be discussed at the next meeting of the National Energy Policy Council. The measure could reduce gasoline import needs by around 500 million liters per month, supporting national self-sufficiency. The initial mandate would last 180 days, with the possibility of extension. read more

Vale orders ethanol-powered transoceanic ships – Vale and Shandong Shipping Corporation signed a 25-year charter agreement for two new second-generation Guaibamax ships powered by ethanol, with delivery expected from 2029. The vessels will be 340 meters long, carry up to 325,000 tons and may reduce carbon emissions by around 90% compared with heavy fuel oil on a well-to-wake basis. The ships will also be able to use methanol and heavy fuel oil, with design options for future conversion to liquefied natural gas or ammonia. read more

Funding & M&A

Itaú Ventures backs mobile data center model to monetize curtailment – Minter installs mobile data centers at renewable energy sites to use electricity that would otherwise be curtailed when the grid cannot absorb supply. The container-based units host up to 200 machines and process data close to generation, reducing transmission losses and improving project economics. The company operates a 20 MW site in Xique-Xique, Bahia, and plans to reach 40 MW by the end of 2026 and 500 MW by 2029. Its Series A round was led by Itaú Ventures and included Grupo Leste, Legend Capital and individual investors. read more

VLI expands grain export capacity in Maranhão – VLI will invest approximately $16 million in its São Luís terminal at the Port of Itaqui to increase grain export capacity by 23%. The terminal handled nearly 5.8 million tons in 2025, including soy and corn from the Matopiba region. The project will raise maritime loading capacity from 3,000 to 3,700 tons per hour and internal grain flow from 1,500 to 2,000 tons per hour, supported by rail logistics. read more

Macro & Markets

Crop protection market returns to $20B level – Brazil’s crop protection market grew 3% in the 2024/25 season to reach approximately $20 billion. The recovery follows a 13% decline in the previous season, driven by lower prices despite increased planted area and treatment intensity. Soy accounted for 51% of the market, followed by corn (16%), sugarcane (8%) and cotton (7%). Treated area reached 2.39 billion hectares, up 13% year on year, with further growth of around 8% expected in 2025/26. read more

Technology use becomes agriculture’s new differentiator – Brazil’s grain harvest reached a record 346.1 million tons in 2025, while projections for 2026 range from 340 million to 344 million tons. With less room for expansion in planted area, productivity gains are increasingly linked to management and technology use within the farm. Tools such as drones, telemetry, artificial intelligence and precision agriculture are widely available, with differentiation driven by how producers interpret data and manage operations. read more

STF maintains restrictions on foreign land ownership – Brazil’s Supreme Court unanimously voted to maintain the existing legal restrictions on the acquisition of rural land by foreigners and Brazilian companies controlled by foreign capital. The ruling does not ban foreign ownership of farmland, and many foreign individuals and companies already own rural land in Brazil, but larger or more sensitive transactions can require prior approval from INCRA and, in some cases, Congress. Current rules also limit foreign ownership by municipality and nationality. The decision rejected an action filed by the Sociedade Rural Brasileira. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgTech & AI news, Ecorobotix brought its AI-powered precision sprayer to Brazil, Fox Agritech advanced a novel boll weevil monitoring system using electromagnetic waves, Embrapa expanded the use of generative AI across research and technical recommendations, and Syngenta scales its digital farming platform toward 100 million monitored hectares.

In Climate Tech developments, i4sea is taking hyperlocal climate intelligence from ports to farms, offering farmers sharper tools to manage weather volatility. Banana Milk and Typcal highlighted two different paths in alternative proteins and ingredients, while BTG Timberland raised fresh capital for forestry investments and CTC opened a new US$20 million lab to scale synthetic sugarcane seed.

On the Funding & M&A front, Petrobras committed US$1 billion to a new fertilizer plant, Cofco is investing US$400 million to expand soy crushing capacity in Mato Grosso, BNDES approved new financing for CNH Industrial Brasil to support machinery innovation, GDC Alimentos reentered animal nutrition through the acquisition of a Patense plant, and Raízen remains under pressure as creditors push for control in a debt-for-equity restructuring.

In Macro & Markets, Embrapa scientist Mariangela Hungria was named to the Time 100 list, CNA challenged a new satellite-based rural credit rule at the Supreme Court, Nestlé is betting on iced coffee to expand Nescafé consumption in Brazil, and the US dollar fell below R$5.00 for the first time in two years.

Table of Contents

AgTech & AI

• Ecorobotix brings AI-powered precision spraying to Brazil

• Fox Agritech uses electromagnetic waves to track cotton boll weevil

• Embrapa expands generative AI across research and farm recommendations

• Syngenta expands digital platform toward 100 million hectares

Climate Tech

• i4sea brings hyperlocal climate intelligence from ports to farms

• Foodtech Banana Milk scales banana-based plant milk in Brazil

• Typcal bets on mycelium protein to enter the global ingredients market

• BTG Timberland raises US$370 million for Latin American forestry

• CTC opens US$20 million lab to scale synthetic sugarcane seed

Funding & M&A

• Petrobras to invest US$1 billion in nitrogen fertilizer plant

• Cofco invests US$400 million to expand soy crushing in Mato Grosso

• BNDES backs CNH innovation push in Brazilian ag machinery

• GDC reenters animal nutrition with Patense plant acquisition

• Raízen creditors seek control in debt-for-equity restructuring

Macro & Markets

• Embrapa scientist Mariangela Hungria makes Time 100 list

• CNA challenges satellite-based rural credit rule at Supreme Court

• Nestlé bets on iced coffee to lift Nescafé sales in Brazil

• Dollar falls below R$5.00 for first time in two years

AgTech & AI

Ecorobotix Brings AI Precision Spraying to Brazil - Swiss agtech Ecorobotix is entering Brazil with its ARA precision sprayer, which uses cameras, sensors, and AI to identify crops and weeds plant by plant and spray only targeted areas with centimeter-level accuracy. The company says the system can cut chemical use by up to 95% while reducing drift and contamination. Ecorobotix has sold 1,000 units in about 30 countries and counts BASF and Yara among its investors. In Brazil, it will start with higher-value fruit and vegetable crops before moving into soy, corn, and cotton. read more

Fox Agritech Uses AI to Track Cotton Boll Weevil - Mato Grosso startup Fox Agritech is developing a pest-monitoring system that combines electromagnetic waves, LEDs, computer vision, and AI to detect cotton boll weevil in the field. Founded by 25-year-old agricultural technician Kennedy Gnoatto in Sinop, the company is moving from controlled tests to field validation, with pilot areas in Mato Grosso and Bahia and support from Bahia’s cotton growers association Abapa. Fox says the system could cut insecticide applications by up to 15%, reduce repeated field visits, and improve early detection of outbreaks. read more

Embrapa Expands Generative AI Across Research and Farm Advice - Embrapa says 14 research units are expanding the use of generative AI to speed up scientific work, improve technical recommendations, and support decision-making across Brazil’s agro-food and forestry systems. The technology is being used to organize large datasets, simulate production scenarios, generate reports, and develop more tailored field recommendations. Embrapa says the effort builds on its earlier use of predictive AI in areas such as soybean rust monitoring and disease prevention, while opening new applications in climate zoning, crop management, genetic improvement, and soil analysis. read more

Syngenta Expands Digital Platform Toward 100 Million Hectares - Syngenta is bringing a new digital operations tool to Brazil as part of its global push to monitor 100 million hectares by 2030 through its Cropwise platform. The company says the system helps farmers integrate planning, execution, and analysis in one place, making it easier to compare field performance, spot waste, and understand differences in input-use efficiency. Syngenta currently tracks 76 million hectares globally, including 14.8 million in Brazil, while Cropwise Operations already covers 50 million monitored hectares, 30,000 connected machines per day, and 40,000 active users. read more

Climate Tech

i4sea Brings Hyperlocal Climate Intelligence From Ports to Farms - Brazilian startup i4sea is taking its AI-powered climate intelligence platform from ports and offshore operations into agriculture, offering hyperlocal forecasts built from weather stations, radar, and sensor data for periods ranging from a few hours to 15 days. Already used at major ports such as Santos and Açu, as well as by mining and offshore wind operators, the platform is now being positioned to help farmers manage weather volatility and climate extremes. The company says the system can support both real-time operational decisions and longer-term planning. read more

Banana Milk Scales Banana-Based Plant Milk in Brazil - Santa Catarina foodtech Banana Milk is growing 10% month over month as it bets on banana-based plant milk to carve out a differentiated niche in Brazil’s expanding alternative beverage market. Founded by Marcos Christol after spotting the category gap during a trip to the US, the company has reached 400 points of sale in less than a year. Its asset-light model outsources production so capital can stay focused on product development, branding, and go-to-market execution. Banana Milk is using Santa Catarina as a test market before expanding nationally. read more

Typcal Bets on Mycelium Protein for Alternative Ingredients - Paraná-based foodtech Typcal is betting on mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, as the base for a new protein and fiber ingredient aimed at the food industry. The startup says it wants to generate US$1 million in its first year and is targeting export markets such as Chile, Mexico, and Europe while awaiting final Anvisa approval in Brazil. With initial production capacity of about five tons per month, Typcal says its ingredient contains around 45% protein and 35% fiber and can be used in products ranging from snacks and breads to hybrid meat products. read more

BTG Timberland Raises US$370 Million for Latin American Forestry - BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, the forestry investment arm of BTG, has completed a US$370 million first close for a new strategy focused on large-scale sustainable forestry projects across Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. The group aims to reach US$1.5 billion in commitments over five years, targeting diversification across geographies, climates, species, and end markets. The raise builds on BTG’s broader expansion in nature-based assets, including timber, carbon, and reforestation strategies in Latin America. read more

CTC Opens US$20 Million Lab to Scale Synthetic Sugarcane Seed - CTC has inaugurated a US$20 million production unit in Piracicaba to scale its synthetic sugarcane seed technology, designed to make planting lighter, cheaper, and more compatible with precision agriculture. The company says the new lab raises productive capacity to 500 hectares of seedlings per shift and marks another step in a project that has already absorbed close to US$200 million since 2013, with support from Finep and BNDES. CTC estimates the technology can cut planting material needs from 16 tonnes of cane stalks per hectare to about 400 kilograms, opening the door to more automated planting systems. read more

Funding & M&A

Petrobras To Invest US$1 Billion in Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant - Petrobras is investing US$1 billion in a new nitrogen fertilizer plant in Mato Grosso do Sul, deepening its return to the sector and aiming to supply 15% of Brazil’s nitrogen fertilizer demand once the unit is operational. The UFN3 project is expected to be completed in 2029, with urea storage infrastructure coming earlier, by mid-2027. The move comes as Brazil remains heavily dependent on imported fertilizers and exposed to geopolitical shocks in strategic inputs. read more

Cofco to Invest US$400 Million to Expand Soy Crushing in Mato Grosso - Cofco will invest US$400 million to double the soy crushing capacity of its Rondonópolis plant in Mato Grosso, lifting throughput from 4,500 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes per day and turning the site into Brazil’s largest soy crushing unit. The expansion is expected to be completed in early 2028 and will also increase production of higher-value products such as soybean meal and oil. The project adds to Cofco’s broader Brazil push following the opening of a new terminal at the Port of Santos last year. read more

BNDES Backs CNH Innovation Push in Brazilian Ag Machinery - Brazil’s development bank BNDES has approved US$26 million in financing for CNH Industrial Brasil under its BNDES Mais Inovação program to support eight projects focused on new and improved agricultural machinery. The package includes investments in harvesters, tractors, and input application equipment tailored to Brazilian farming conditions, with an emphasis on efficiency, emissions reduction, and future regulatory demands tied to carbon markets and low-impact fuels. Among the flagship projects is a planter capable of applying seeds, fertilizers, solids, and inoculants in a single pass. read more

GDC Reenters Animal Nutrition with Patense Plant Acquisition - GDC Alimentos, owner of Gomes da Costa and controlled by Spain’s Nauterra, has acquired a fishmeal plant in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, from the bankrupt Grupo Patense for US$27 million. The asset was sold through Patense’s judicial recovery process and the transaction was cleared by Brazil’s antitrust authority. The purchase marks GDC’s return to the animal nutrition ingredients segment after exiting the business in 2023, while also helping it recover part of the roughly US$12 million it is still owed by Patense as one of the group’s largest creditors. read more

Raízen Creditors Seek Control in Debt-for-Equity Restructuring - Creditors of Raízen have proposed converting 45% of the company’s roughly US$13 billion debt into equity in exchange for 90% ownership, in a move that would sharply dilute current shareholders and hand effective control to lenders. The proposal comes as Raízen negotiates an out-of-court restructuring after being hit by high interest rates, unpaid investments, and operational challenges in its sugar and ethanol businesses. The talks also carry broader implications for parent Cosan, as major banks have reportedly threatened to restrict credit to other group companies if no agreement is reached before the June 6 deadline. read more

Macro & Markets

Embrapa Scientist Mariangela Hungria Makes Time 100 - Embrapa researcher Mariangela Hungria has been named to Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognition tied to her decades of work developing soil microorganisms that help crops absorb nitrogen naturally. According to the magazine, her innovations are now used on 85% of Brazil’s soybean area and help farmers save about US$25 billion per year while avoiding 230 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Hungria, a microbiologist and agronomist, has spent 34 years researching biological alternatives to chemical fertilizers and last year also received the World Food Prize. read more

CNA Challenges Satellite-Based Rural Credit Rule at Supreme Court - Brazil’s farm association CNA has filed a case with the Supreme Court seeking to suspend recent regulatory rules that require banks and other financial institutions to use satellite monitoring data from Prodes when evaluating rural credit for farms. The farm lobby argues the measure can wrongly treat legal land clearing as illegal deforestation, ignores cases under environmental regularization, and risks freezing financing before producers can present a defense. CNA says the rule could delay or block funding for the next crop season at a time of already tight margins and high input costs. read more

Nestlé Bets on Iced Coffee to Lift Nescafé Sales in Brazil - Nestlé expects iced coffee to grow from about 10% to 30% of Nescafé sales in Brazil by 2028 as it pushes the brand into new consumption occasions beyond the traditional hot cup. After entering the segment only in 2023, the company is expanding its cold portfolio and using formats such as ready-to-drink products, soluble coffee, and Dolce Gusto capsules to attract younger consumers and more social, on-the-go occasions. Nestlé says the category is adding incremental consumption, in new locations such as the beach, rather than cannibalizing hot coffee. read more

Dollar Falls Below R$5.00 for First Time in Two Years - The US dollar closed below R$5.00 on April 13 for the first time in two years, ending the session at R$4.9980 after comments from President Donald Trump lifted hopes of a possible agreement with Iran and improved sentiment across Brazilian assets. The move marked the fourth straight daily decline for the dollar in Brazil and left the currency down 8.95% on the year. For Brazilian farmers, foreign exchange remains a double-edged sword: a stronger real helps reduce the cost of imported inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals, and machinery, but it also makes Brazilian agricultural exports less competitive abroad by lowering returns in local currency. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgTech news this week, AI techniques are moving deeper into Brazil’s food chain, from real-time meat quality analysis developed by USP researchers to space farming work led by Embrapa that helped advance food systems for space missions. Premium niche production also stood out, with caviar limes fetching up to $240 per kilo, while Brazil’s elite cattle genetics market hit another milestone as a Brazilian cow reached a valuation of over US$10 million.

In Climate Tech developments, Acelen Renováveis partnered with European startup Finboot to build traceability for macaúba as it targets SAF markets in Europe and the US. Circular economy innovation also featured strongly, with researchers and local producers turning unused fruit and vegetables into edible plant leather, while defective green coffee was repurposed into antioxidant-rich chocolate with potential commercial applications.

On the Funding & M&A front, Solinftec hired Citi to support acquisitions and a possible shareholder reshuffle as it looks to strengthen its AI and data capabilities. Frísia announced a $20 million investment in a new grain hub in Tocantins, while Grupo Trebeschi, Brazil’s largest fresh tomato producer, filed for judicial recovery as it works to restructure a heavy debt load.

In Macro & Markets, tensions in the Middle East pushed Brazilian farmers to accelerate crop protection purchases amid fears of input price volatility. Brazil’s chocolate and trade sectors also saw important moves, with a proposed law to raise cocoa content standards, the planned arrival of Salon du Chocolat in Brazil, and Ethiopia opening its market to 17 Brazilian agricultural products.

Table of Contents

AgTech & AI

• AI Technique Evaluates Meat Quality in Real Time

• Caviar Limes Sell for Up to $240 per Kilo

• Brazil Ag Helped Advance Food Systems for Space Mission Research

• Brazilian Cow Becomes World’s Most Expensive at $10.8 Million

Climate Tech

• Acelen Partners with Finboot to Trace Macaúba for SAF Markets

• Unused Fruit and Veg Turned into Edible Plant Leather

• Defective Green Coffee Turned into Antioxidant-Rich Chocolate

Funding & M&A

• Solinftec Hires Citi to Pursue M&A and New Shareholders

• Frísia Invests $20 Million in New Grain Hub in Tocantins

• Brazil’s Largest Fresh Tomato Producer Files for Judicial Recovery

Macro & Markets

• Middle East Conflict Speeds Up Crop Protection Purchases in Brazil

• Proposed Law Would Require More Cocoa in Chocolate Sold in Brazil

• Salon du Chocolat Is Coming to Brazil with €1.5 Million Investment

• Brazil Opens Ethiopian Market to 17 Agricultural Products

AgTech & AI

AI Technique Evaluates Meat Quality in Real Time - Researchers at USP’s Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture have developed an AI-based method to assess meat freshness in real time using computer vision and machine learning, offering a faster and less costly alternative to traditional lab testing. The system analyzes digital images of beef to detect visual patterns linked to deterioration, with reported accuracy ranging from 93% to 100% depending on configuration. Built on pre-trained neural networks and a feature extraction method known as Radam, the approach is non-destructive and designed for industrial settings such as slaughterhouses. read more

Caviar Limes Sell for Up to $240 per Kilo - Caviar Lime, an Australian citrus fruit also know as finger lime, is gaining attention in Brazil for its high value and distinctive texture, with prices ranging from about $80 to $240 per kilo. Its pulp forms small vesicles that burst in the mouth, making it especially attractive to chefs and restaurants. Researchers say production remains limited, typically reaching only four to six kilos per plant, which helps keep supply tight and prices high. In Brazil, the Agronomic Institute of Campinas has been studying the crop for decades and released the Faustini cultivar in 2023. Despite its premium appeal, experts say it will remain a niche product best suited to small-scale specialty growers. read more

Brazil Ag Helped Advance Food Systems for Space Mission Research - Brazil contributed to NASA’s Artemis program through Space Farming Brazil, an initiative led by Embrapa with support from the Brazilian Space Agency to develop food production technologies for extreme environments. The project draws on Brazil’s agricultural expertise to design systems that could operate on the Moon and, later, Mars. In the first phase, researchers selected sweet potato and chickpea as model crops because of their nutritional value, adaptability and ease of handling. In 2025, chickpea seeds and sweet potato seedlings developed by Embrapa were sent into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, and the next stage focuses on growing these crops in closed environments suitable for lunar bases or long-duration missions. read more

Brazilian Cow Becomes World’s Most Expensive at $10.8 Million - Donna FIV CIAV, a Nelore donor cow based in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, has become the most valuable cow in the world, with a valuation of around $10.8 million. The animal’s genetics drew intense demand after strong performance in the show ring and through its offspring, pushing its value sharply higher in recent years. In Brazil’s elite cattle market, that premium reflects reproductive potential, pedigree, and large-scale embryo and clone production. Donna now lives at Fazenda Mata Velha and has become a symbol of how advanced genetics and breeding scarcity continue to drive record prices in Brazil’s beef cattle sector. read more

Climate Tech

Acelen Partners with European Startup to Trace Macaúba for SAF Markets - Acelen Renováveis, backed by Mubadala Capital, has partnered with European startup Finboot to build a traceability system for macaúba, a native Brazilian palm seen as a promising feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. The project begins with monitoring 500 planted hectares in Bahia and could expand to 5,000 hectares in the next phase, with ambitions to support production of 1 billion liters of biofuels. Acelen says robust traceability is essential to access regulated SAF markets in Europe and the US, where compliance, lifecycle emissions tracking and certification standards are becoming stricter. read more

Unused Fruit and Vegetables Turned into Edible Plant Leather - A project led by the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo is helping family farmers turn overripe fruit and vegetables into thin, flexible edible sheets through dehydration. The material can be consumed directly and used in decorative and culinary applications, including flowers, medallions and layered dishes. Over six months, the group tested products including pitaya, Sicilian lemon, guava, passion fruit, tomato and coffee, and trained 10 family farmers to apply the technique on their properties. The initiative aims to reduce food waste, create new products and expand rural income opportunities. read more

Defective Green Coffee Turned into Antioxidant-Rich Chocolate - Researchers at Unicamp and the Food Technology Institute (Ital) have developed a milk chocolate enriched with phenolic compounds extracted from defective green coffee, a by-product usually discarded or sold at low value in the specialty coffee chain. The product contains up to 4.6 times more antioxidants than conventional chocolate, while sensory tests showed strong acceptance even at higher concentrations. The team says the technology is ready for transfer to industry and could reach the market by 2027, creating higher-value uses for coffee waste and new income opportunities for producers. read more

Funding & M&A

Solinftec Hires Citi to Pursue M&A and New Shareholders - Agtech company Solinftec has hired Citi as financial adviser as it explores both acquisitions and a shareholder reshuffle, aiming to buy data-rich startups while creating liquidity for some founding shareholders. The company is targeting assets in areas such as equipment monitoring and weather data to expand the information base used to train its AI systems. Solinftec raised a US$50 million Series D last year and has now secured US$125 million in total funding from investors including YVY Capital, Rise Life-centered Investments, TPG and AgFunder. In 2025, the company posted revenue of about US$90 million and EBITDA above US$20 million, while operating across Brazil, the US and 12 other countries. read more

Frísia Invests $20 Million in New Grain Hub in Tocantins - Paraná-based cooperative Frísia is investing about $20 million in a new grain warehouse and logistics hub in Tocantins state, as it looks to move closer to farmers and expand its presence in one of Brazil’s fastest-growing agricultural frontiers. Construction is expected to begin in June and finish in early 2028. The new unit will have grain intake capacity of 600 tons per hour, processing capacity of 240 tons per hour and total storage capacity of 42,000 tons, plus an input warehouse. Tocantins already represents around 45,000 hectares and 10% of Frísia’s revenue, making the state a strategic growth region for the cooperative. read more

Brazil’s Largest Fresh Tomato Producer Files for Judicial Recovery - Grupo Trebeschi, Brazil’s largest producer of fresh tomatoes, has filed for judicial recovery as it seeks to restructure debts of about $125 million, part of a total liability load of roughly $235 million. The filing includes a 180-day suspension of debt collections while the company negotiates with creditors, including major banks and cooperatives. Trebeschi says financial strain began in 2021 after climate-related production losses and was worsened by higher fertilizer prices and elevated interest rates. The company produces more than 75,000 tons annually, operates across six states and says its diversified operations in grains, coffee and vegetables will continue without supply disruption. read more

Macro & Markets

Middle East Conflict Speeds Up Crop Protection Purchases in Brazil - Rising tensions in the Middle East are prompting Brazilian farmers to bring forward purchases of crop protection products as they brace for possible price increases tied to oil, diesel and petrochemical inputs. Reports from companies including Corteva, Ihara and BASF say that demand has picked up in recent weeks, as producers try to lock in supplies before further volatility hits. Industry players say the situation could also open more space for biologicals and locally sourced inputs in the next crop cycle. read more

Proposed Law Would Require More Cocoa in Chocolate Sold in Brazil - A bill approved by Brazil’s lower house and now headed to the Senate would raise minimum cocoa content requirements for products sold as chocolate, including new definitions for milk chocolate, powdered chocolate and white chocolate. Under the proposal, standard chocolate would need at least 35% total cocoa solids, up from the current 25%. Industry experts say the practical impact may be limited, since many premium brands already exceed those thresholds and lower-cost products have increasingly shifted toward “chocolate-flavored” formulations instead of chocolate itself. Researchers estimate the change would lift cocoa demand from industry by about 5%, though the effect on prices and farmer sales should remain modest. read more

Salon du Chocolat Is Coming to Brazil with €1.5 Million Investment - Brazilian entrepreneur Marco Lessa is bringing the Salon du Chocolat to Brazil through an investment of €1.5 million, positioning the country more firmly in the global premium chocolate circuit. The event, expected in December 2026, will connect Brazilian cocoa and chocolate producers with international buyers, brands and industry professionals, while helping shift the sector away from a commodity model toward higher-value products and stronger origin branding. Brazil is the only country in the Salon’s global network that produces cocoa, consumes cocoa, makes chocolate and consumes chocolate at scale. read more

Brazil Opens Ethiopian Market to 17 Agricultural Products - Brazil has secured access to Ethiopia for 17 agricultural products, including beef, pork and poultry, in another step to diversify export markets across Africa. The opening gives Brazil access to a market of roughly 130 million people and follows other recent moves on the continent, including new openings in South Africa, Benin, Senegal and Angola. Since 2023, Brazil has been pushing a broader strategy to expand agribusiness trade beyond traditional partners, with Asia and Africa as key targets. Officials say more than 500 market openings had been completed by early 2026, as Brazil seeks to strengthen the global reach of its animal protein sector. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Share

Summary

In AgTech & AI news, a new MRI-based tool from FIT promises faster measurement of beef tenderness, while the latest Radar Agtech report shows growing AI adoption across Brazil’s startup ecosystem. John Deere is shifting from new machine sales toward upgrades and connectivity, Atvos and Tereos tested autonomous tractors in sugarcane fields, Agricef is using AI and computer vision for selective irrigation in forestry, and Moinho Globo is investing in robotics to ease bottlenecks as growth pushes its flour operations to capacity.

In Climate Tech developments, dairy producers are investing in cooling and animal welfare to protect milk yields, while Brazil’s rapid adoption of agricultural drones is bringing new compliance and environmental risks into focus. Atvos is planning a wider biometane buildout to replace diesel in its own fleet, and Brazil’s bioinputs market returned to growth, reaching a new record as biological products gain ground.

On the Funding & M&A front, Ecotrace is seeking up to R$10 million in equity funding to expand its traceability platform, especially in halal markets. 3corações agreed to buy General Mills assets in Brazil, adding Yoki and Kitano to its portfolio, while agribusiness software group Aliare moved deeper into animal protein through another acquisition.

In Macro & Markets, diesel prices jumped sharply in March, reviving debate over a faster increase in Brazil’s biodiesel blend. Brazil also opened an export route through Turkey to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, while cattle market participants are warning that the expected expiry of China’s quota window could collide with rising feedlot supply and weigh on fed cattle prices later this year.

Table of Contents

AgTech & AI

• FIT's MRI Tool Targets Meat Tenderness

• AI Moves to the Core of Brazil Agtech

• John Deere Shifts from Iron to Upgrades

• Atvos and Tereos Pilot Autonomous Tractors

• Agricef Takes AI Irrigation Beyond Cane

• Moinho Globo Automates as Growth Hits Capacity Ceiling

Climate Tech

• Cow Comfort Boosts Milk Yields

• Brazil’s Drone Boom Meets Compliance Risk

• Atvos Maps Biometane Expansion

• Brazil Bioinputs Market Rebounds to Record

Funding & M&A

• Ecotrace Seeks up to R$10 Million in Equity Funding

• 3corações Buys Yoki and Kitano

• Aliare Expands into Animal Protein Software

Macro & Markets

• Diesel Jump Revives B16 Debate

• Brazil Reroutes Exports Around Hormuz

• China Quota Expiry Weighs on Fed Cattle Prices

AgTech & AI

FIT's MRI Tool Targets Meat Tenderness - Brazilian startup Fine Instrument Technology (FIT) has developed SpecFit Meat, a magnetic resonance device that can identify beef tenderness in just 12 seconds without cutting or cooking the product. The system captures signals and converts them into objective tenderness indicators, allowing analysis directly on the meat, even after packaging. The company says the technology could help packers certify softer zebu beef, improve product segmentation, reduce subjectivity at purchase, and shorten maturation times that can otherwise last up to 28 days in cold storage. Development took five years and more than R$3 million of investment, with support from FAPESP. read more

AI Moves to the Core of Brazil Agtech - Artificial intelligence is no longer a side feature in Brazil’s agtech ecosystem. The latest Radar Agtech report shows that 83% of surveyed startups already use AI, and for 35% it sits at the core of the product rather than as a support tool. The report maps 2,075 agtechs across 468 municipalities, pointing to an ecosystem that is still expanding but with more maturity and stronger institutional support, including 390 mapped innovation centers. Investors are also becoming more selective, with attention centered on areas such as biotechnology and biologicals, traceability, farm digitalization, and mechanization. see report

John Deere Shifts from Iron to Upgrades - With Brazilian farmers still constrained by high interest rates, tighter credit and rising delinquencies, John Deere is adapting its sales strategy to a market that is buying fewer new machines and asking instead for more productivity from existing fleets. At a proprietary event ahead of Agrishow, the company emphasized connectivity, operational efficiency and financing solutions, including upgrades to its JD Link satellite system and support from Banco John Deere, whose funding capacity was expanded through a partnership with Bradesco. The company is also adjusting production to avoid excess dealer inventory, while continuing to test longer-term technologies such as an ethanol-powered tractor. read more

Atvos and Tereos Pilot Autonomous Tractors - Sugar and ethanol groups Atvos and Tereos tested fully autonomous tractors during the 2025/26 crop season, marking what they describe as the first such trials in Brazil’s sugar-energy industry. Using ASI technology adapted onto existing tractors, the companies ran soil preparation operations with remote supervision from control centers and reported gains of up to 20% in productivity, cuts of up to 10% in diesel consumption and lower labor needs, with one operator monitoring three machines at once in Atvos’ tests. The trials also highlighted the remaining bottlenecks, especially poor connectivity in large farming areas and the need to adapt autonomous systems to Brazil’s terrain, soils and legal framework. read more

Agricef Takes AI Irrigation Beyond Cane - Campinas-based Agricef, a company born out of Unicamp university, is using computer vision and AI to develop a selective irrigation system aimed at Brazil’s forestry sector, as it looks to reduce its heavy dependence on sugarcane equipment. The new IrrigAI system uses cameras and algorithms to identify seedlings in the field and apply water only where plants are present, tackling one of silviculture’s most manual and costly operating bottlenecks. The solution is now in pilot tests with major forestry groups including Suzano and Dexco. Agricef says about half of its revenue already comes from its own machines, but around 90% of equipment sales are still tied to cane, making diversification a strategic priority. read more

Moinho Globo Automates as Growth Hits Capacity Ceiling - Paraná flour producer Moinho Globo is operating close to its expanded capacity after boosting output by about 70% to 1,000 tons per day with a new milling line, helping lift 2025 revenue 23% to about $133 million. To remove new bottlenecks in packaging and dispatch, the company is investing about $5 million in automation and robotics for its flour bagging lines, aiming for a fully automated flow from milling to palletized storage and shipment. The group is also expanding commercially with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel and plans another $4 million for new flour silos this year, while keeping larger greenfield investments on hold until macro conditions improve. read more

Climate Tech

Cow Comfort Boosts Milk Yields - Brazilian dairy farms are showing that animal comfort is paying off in higher productivity. Fazenda São José in Tapiratiba, Minas Gerais, returned to the top of the Top 100 dairy ranking with average output of 102,500 liters per day in 2025, helped by investments in facilities and a larger producing herd. Management said the upgrades lifted annual productivity by about 3 liters per cow per day, with measures such as extra cooling baths to reduce heat stress. Other producers are following the same path: one farm doubled output in two years by investing in feed and animal welfare, while Cobiça farm invested about $3 million in 2025 and is expanding milking capacity to 3,000 animals. read more

Brazil’s Drone Boom Meets Compliance Risk - Brazil is rapidly expanding the use of agricultural drones, especially for crop spraying, but operational, legal and financial risks are rising alongside adoption. The report highlights spray drift as one of the biggest concerns, with recent cases in Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais and Ceará showing how chemicals can reach neighboring crops, residential areas and local communities when application controls fail. While drones can improve efficiency and precision, Brazil still lacks more consistent operator training, certification and enforcement. The edge is now shifting from simply having the technology to managing it well, with stronger protocols for weather, calibration, monitoring and compliance. read more

Atvos Maps Biometane Expansion - Sugar and ethanol producer Atvos is advancing the construction of its first biomethane plant at the Santa Luzia mill in Mato Grosso do Sul and is already evaluating seven additional units beside its other sugar mills. The Santa Luzia facility will require about $70 million of investment and is expected to produce around 28 million cubic meters of biomethane per harvest. If all eight plants are built, Atvos says it could reach 137 million cubic meters per crop cycle and cut diesel-related emissions by 88.3%. The gas is intended mainly to replace diesel in the company’s own fleet, as Atvos works toward converting all of its vehicles to renewable gas over the coming years. read more

Brazil Bioinputs Market Rebounds to Record - Brazil’s bioinputs market resumed growth in 2025 and reached a record $1.2 billion, up 15.2% from about $1.1 billion in 2024, according to CropLife Brasil. Adoption in the field also accelerated, with the treated area rising 28% to 194 million hectares. Bioinsecticides led revenue with about $420 million, up 33.4%, while biofungicides grew 41% to about $260 million and inoculants advanced 13% to about $162 million. Soybeans accounted for 62% of market value, followed by corn at 22% and sugarcane at 10%, while Mato Grosso remained the largest consuming state. CropLife also said the newly approved Bioinputs Law should help sustain momentum once regulation is finalized. read more

Funding & M&A

Ecotrace Seeks up to $2 Million in Equity Funding - Brazilian traceability startup Ecotrace is seeking between $1 million and $2 million in a new equity round to support expansion into Europe and the Middle East, key destinations for Brazilian agricultural exports. The company, which has already raised about $2.2 million across five previous rounds, is doubling down on the halal market through its Ecohalal subsidiary, created with a $1.2 million investment in 2024. Last year Ecotrace tracked 39 million cattle and 112 million poultry in Brazil, and in 2025 it issued more than 46,000 halal certificates. The platform combines environmental, labor and production data, publishing audit reports on blockchain and linking each shipment to QR-coded product histories. read more

3corações Buys Yoki and Kitano - Grupo 3corações has agreed to acquire General Mills’ operations in Brazil for about $160 million, adding the Yoki and Kitano brands to its portfolio. The deal gives the coffee and food group a stronger position in staples, snacks and seasonings, with Yoki leading in categories such as farofa, microwave popcorn, potato sticks and related products, while Kitano is well known for natural seasonings. 3corações said the acquisition supports its strategy of diversification and portfolio complementarity. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. read more

Aliare Expands into Animal Protein Software - Brazilian agribusiness software group Aliare has acquired a majority stake in Agrosys, a poultry software specialist whose systems are used in operations handling about 30% of all birds slaughtered in Brazil. The deal deepens Aliare’s move into animal protein agroindustry, adding industrial and quality-management capabilities it previously lacked and extending its presence in Paraguay and Peru. It is Aliare’s fourth acquisition since 2021, following deals in logistics, machinery dealerships and rural credit, and reinforces its strategy of building a broader consolidated platform across the agribusiness value chain. The company now serves more than 5,000 clients and has projected revenue of $46 million for 2026, before any further acquisitions. read more

Macro & Markets

Diesel Jump Revives B16 Debate - Diesel prices in Brazil rose sharply in March, with lower sulfer diesel (S10) up 13.6% month on month and regular diesel up 12.34%, reaching average prices of around $5.30 per gallon. The increase came amid Middle East tensions that pushed oil prices higher and after Petrobras’ mid-March adjustment, reinforcing pressure on freight and broader logistics costs. The spike also reignited debate over raising Brazil’s biodiesel blend from B15 to B16, with Abiove arguing the move could be implemented if the government chooses and help reduce external dependence. The Center-West recorded the steepest monthly rise in regular diesel at 17%, while the North remained the most expensive region. read more

Brazil Reroutes Exports Around Hormuz - Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry has agreed a new logistics route via Turkey to keep agro exports flowing to the Middle East while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. The arrangement allows Brazilian cargo, especially animal protein, to move by sea to Turkey and then continue by rail or road, with temporary storage and sanitary certification handled in Turkish territory, including halal requirements. The workaround preserves access to key import markets, but at a price: analysts say insurance for the region has surged and total logistics costs could rise by as much as 300%, with exporters and buyers likely forced to share the extra burden. read more

China Quota Expiry Weighs on Finished Cattle Prices - Brazil’s finished cattle market may come under pressure in the second half as the expected exhaustion of the beef export quota to China coincides with a larger supply of animals coming out of feedlots. JBS global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni warned that this overlap is likely to affect finished cattle prices, a view echoed by other analysts who have advised feedlot operators to hedge cattle prices in the futures market. For meatpackers, lower cattle prices could support margins, while for ranchers the risk is a widening gap between today’s physical market and lower forward contracts. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgTech & AI news, Sao Paulo’s APTAHub saw eight startups selected for the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge, spanning AI, robotics, food tech, energy, biomaterials, and sustainable construction. Embrapa advanced research on Brazilian algae as a natural biostimulant to help crops better withstand drought, with early greenhouse trials in canola and wheat showing promising results.

In Climate Tech developments, Brazil’s corn ethanol industry is projected to add another 7 billion liters of capacity by 2028, while a new study found that agricultural expansion released 1.4 billion tons of soil carbon. Embrapa also launched new low-carbon certification programs for corn and sorghum, and Biopower, a JBS subsidiary, converted 11.3 million liters of used cooking oil into biodiesel in 2025.

On the Funding & M&A front, Innovation Norway highlighted Brazil as a strategic destination for capital and technology deployment, with US$14 billion invested in the country in 2024. Norwegian officials pointed to agriculture, energy, biofuels, fertilizers, and digital solutions as priority areas.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil’s agribusiness sector faced a week shaped by geopolitical risk, trade friction, and supply chain vulnerability. Tensions in the Middle East exposed dependence on key export markets and fertilizer-linked inputs, new soy inspection rules for China triggered a clash between exporters and the government, and diesel shortages disrupted harvest work in Rio Grande do Sul.

Table of Contents

AgTech & AI

• Eight APTAHub Startups Reach the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge

• Embrapa Study Backs Brazilian Algae To Fight Drought

Climate Tech

• Brazil Corn Ethanol Could Gain 7 Billion Liters by 2028

• Brazil’s Farm Expansion Released 1.4 Billion Tons of Soil Carbon

• Plan to Install One Million Solar Panels in Brazil’s Semiarid Region

• Embrapa Expands Its Low-Carbon Portfolio to Corn and Sorghum

• Biopower Turns Used Cooking Oil Into Biodiesel

Funding & M&A

• Norway Bets US$14 Billion on Brazil and Its Agro Sector

Macro & Markets

• Brazil Agro Depends on the Middle East for Key Products

• Brazil Opens New Agro Markets in New Zealand and Turkey

• ‘Ghost Cattle’ Operation Probes Fraud in Animal Records

• New Soy Inspection Rules for China Trigger Clash with Exporters

• Iran War Exposes Fragility in Brazil’s Fertilizer Market

• Rio Grande do Sul Producers Halt Harvest Over Diesel Shortage

AgTech & AI

Eight APTAHub Startups Reach the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge - Eight startups from São Paulo’s APTAHub network were selected for the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge, one of the world’s leading deep tech competitions, standing out among more than 4,800 applicants. Together they accounted for 23.5% of all Brazilian startups chosen. The selected companies span artificial intelligence and computer vision (Pix Force), energy (Mondi Energy), food and protein technology (PROMEAT, Sante Science), robotics and industrial AI (BSV Robotics), industrial biotechnology and new materials (BioLinker, MABE Bio), and sustainable construction (BVS Green). read more

Embrapa Study Backs Brazilian Algae Against Drought - Embrapa researchers are testing Brazilian algae as natural biostimulants to help crops better withstand drought, with early greenhouse trials in canola and wheat in the Cerrado showing strong results. The study, led by Embrapa Agroenergia and Embrapa Meio Ambiente with support from Embrapii and partner CBKK, found gains of up to 160% in silique formation and 12% in root growth. After two years of work on extracting active compounds and developing more stable formulations, the project is now moving toward field validation, where researchers will test dosage, algae blends, and performance under varying rainfall conditions. read more

Climate Tech

Brazil Corn Ethanol Could Gain 7 Billion Liters by 2028 - Brazil’s corn ethanol output is expected to rise by another 7 billion liters by 2028, according to Banco ABC, as roughly 30 authorized projects move through the pipeline and reshape the country’s biofuels mix. The expansion would take corn ethanol well beyond its current role and increase the risk of temporary oversupply, especially as sugarcane ethanol production also rises. In the 2025/26 season, corn ethanol is expected to reach about 10 billion liters, with BTG Pactual projecting 11.7 billion liters in the following cycle. Even so, the model remains attractive, supported by scale, year-round operations, and valuable coproducts such as DDG for animal feed. read more

Brazil’s Farm Expansion Released 1.4 Billion Tons of Soil Carbon - Converting native vegetation into cropland and pasture has caused Brazilian soils to release 1.4 billion tons of stored carbon over recent decades, according to a new study led by Esalq-USP and published in Nature Communications. That is equivalent to 5.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide and reflects losses from the top 30 centimeters of soil alone, not the vegetation above ground. The researchers found monoculture caused the largest average carbon loss at 22.2%, followed by conventional tillage at 21.4%, while integrated farming systems showed the lowest reduction at 8.6%. The study analyzed 272 papers and 4,290 soil samples across Brazil’s six biomes. read more

Program to Install One Million Solar Panels Across Brazil’s Semiarid Region - A new program backed by the Banco do Brasil Foundation and led by ASA, the Articulação do Semiárido Brasileiro, aims to install one million solar panels on family farms in Pernambuco, Paraíba, and northern Minas Gerais. Still in pilot phase, the initiative called Um Milhão de Tetos Solares is designed to provide up to 300 kWh per month of solar power to rural households in the semiarid region, where electricity costs can consume more than 10% of family income. Early examples in Paraíba show meaningful savings, with one farmer cutting her monthly bill from about US$430 to about US$69 after expanding solar capacity. read more

Embrapa Expands Its Low-Carbon Portfolio With New Corn and Sorghum Programs - Embrapa has launched new Low-Carbon Corn and Low-Carbon Sorghum programs to certify grain production based on greenhouse gas emissions per ton produced, expanding its portfolio of sustainability-focused product labels. The initiatives will develop and validate technical protocols, then move toward third-party certification under an MRV system for measurement, reporting, and verification. Embrapa says the labels focus on the product rather than the farm and are designed to help Brazilian corn and sorghum compete in markets with stricter sustainability demands. A public call to select supporting institutions is scheduled for August 2026. read more

Biopower Turns Used Cooking Oil Into Biodiesel - JBS subsidiary Biopower converted 11.3 million liters of used cooking oil into biodiesel in 2025, marking its highest annual volume yet and bringing the program’s 10-year total to 50 million liters. The company says the initiative, called Óleo Amigo, has already helped preserve more than 1 trillion liters of water by keeping waste oil out of drains and waterways. Collection is supported by Biopower’s own fleet and a broader network spanning 115 municipalities across five Brazilian states. Beyond waste management, the model shows how circular economy programs can create feedstock for biofuels while reducing urban sanitation and environmental costs. read more

Funding & M&A

Norway Bets US$14 Billion on Brazil and Its Agro Sector - Norway invested US$14 billion in Brazil in 2024, making the country its third-largest investment destination after the European Union and the United States, according to Innovation Norway CEO Håkon Haugli. In an interview with Exame, Haugli said Brazil’s scale makes it an attractive platform for applying agricultural and energy technologies developed in smaller markets. He pointed to opportunities in precision agriculture, fertilizers, biofuels, and digital solutions, while also highlighting stronger cooperation between Norwegian companies and Brazilian agribusiness. Norway’s presence in Brazil spans agribusiness, energy, maritime logistics, and offshore activities, with trade ties also strengthened by the 2025 EFTA-Mercosur agreement. read more

Brazil Agro Depends on the Middle East for Key Products - Brazil’s farm sector is highly exposed to the Middle East across both export demand and key inputs, making the latest regional conflict a potential pressure point for trade, logistics, and farm economics. According to Insper Agro Global, the region accounted for US$12.4 billion of Brazilian agribusiness exports in 2025, including 29% of chicken exports and 31.5% of corn shipments. The risk goes beyond demand. Any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz or Bab el-Mandeb could raise freight and insurance costs, while higher oil and gas prices could push up fertilizer costs. The impact will depend on how long the conflict lasts. read more

Brazil Opens New Agro Markets in New Zealand and Turkey - Brazil has secured new market access in New Zealand and Turkey, extending export opportunities for higher-value agricultural products as the government pushes to diversify trade flows. New Zealand has authorized imports of thermally processed pork and sheep bile from Brazil, while Turkey has opened its market to honey and other apiculture products. The move adds to Brazil’s recent run of trade openings and could support more value-added shipments as well as new channels for animal protein and specialty products. In 2025, Brazil exported about US$107 million in agribusiness products to New Zealand and more than US$3.2 billion to Turkey. read more

‘Ghost Cattle’ Operation Probes Fraud in Animal Records - Prosecutors in Paraná are investigating an alleged scheme involving fake cattle registrations, false animal transit documents, and possible corruption tied to the state’s animal health system. The operation, called Boi Fantasma, carried out search and seizure warrants in Jaguariaíva and Ibaiti and is examining whether cattle that existed only on paper were inserted into official records to enable illegal gains. Investigators say the suspected fraud involved improper registrations requested by a livestock auction company, with evidence also pointing to undue advantages received by a public servant. One person was arrested during the searches for illegal possession of weapons and ammunition. read more

New Soy Inspection Rules for China Trigger Clash Between Brazil’s Government and Exporters - Cargill’s decision to suspend soybean exports from Brazil to China has intensified a dispute over new phytosanitary inspection rules introduced by Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry. The company said the revised inspection methodology has made it harder to obtain the certificates needed for shipments to China, while Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro said the tougher controls are required to meet Chinese sanitary standards. The tighter inspection follows recent cases of non-compliance flagged by Chinese authorities, including the presence of quarantine pests and weed seeds in Brazilian cargoes. Industry groups Abiove and Anec are now in talks with the ministry over how soybean sampling and classification should be handled. read more

Iran War Exposes Fragility in Brazil’s Fertilizer Market - Four years after launching its National Fertilizer Plan, Brazil still has not meaningfully reduced its dependence on imported inputs, according to Bernardo Silva, executive director of Sinprifert. The renewed conflict in Iran has brought the issue back into focus by highlighting Brazil’s exposure to imported fertilizers, especially strategic products such as urea. In 2025, Brazil consumed 49 million tons of fertilizers, of which 43 million tons were imported, while domestic production totaled 7 million tons. Silva said the plan has advanced in areas such as tax, regulation, research, and production policy, but argued that stronger high-level political coordination is still needed for the country to cut import dependence over time. read more

Rio Grande do Sul Producers Halt Harvest Over Diesel Shortage - Rice producers in Rio Grande do Sul have suspended harvest operations after reported diesel delivery failures to farms, raising concerns over how quickly a geopolitical shock can disrupt activity on the ground. Farsul said the problem began with supply interruptions to fuel distributors and warned that if deliveries were not restored within days, key rice-growing areas could be hit. The issue is also affecting soy, where harvesting is still at an early stage. Producers reported diesel price increases of up to R$1.50 per liter, or about US$0.26, although Brazil’s oil agency ANP said the state has sufficient stocks and regular supply conditions. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgTech and AI news, Beeflow is expanding its bee pollination technology business in Brazil, Embrapa has developed an AI platform to predict soybean rust outbreaks using climate and crop data and Brazil’s agricultural drone market is entering a consolidation phase. In food innovation, Cellva raised funding to scale a cocoa alternative made from coffee byproducts, and researchers developed a protocol that could enable artificial rabbit milk production.

In Climate Tech developments, Bioinfood secured funding to improve yeast strains used in ethanol fermentation while Dow signed renewable energy agreements with Casa dos Ventos for solar and wind power generation. Meanwhile, Geo bio gas&carbon partnered with Syzygy Plasmonics to explore producing sustainable aviation fuel from sugarcane biogas and Hummingbirds raised new capital to develop nature-based carbon projects with local communities in Brazil.

On the Funding front, The Yield Lab Latam is preparing a new early-stage AI-first AgTech fund focused on opportunities in Brazil. In M&A, Daabon acquired Agropalma operations in Pará, while in dairy Piracanjuba took control of Bäsel Lácteos to expand into specialty cheeses and Arcos Gestão e Investimentos assumed control of Lavoro’s agricultural input distribution operations. Warburg Pincus also announced plans to invest up to US$1 billion to support the expansion of Global Eggs.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil secured new export access for soybeans to the Philippines and ground beef to Mexico while a storage bottleneck in Mato Grosso highlights ongoing infrastructure constraints, with roughly half of the state’s grain harvest lacking adequate storage capacity.

Table of Contents

AgTech & AI

• Beeflow expands pollination tech in Brazil
• Embrapa launches AI tool for soybean rust
• Agricultural drones enter consolidation phase
• Cellva raises funding for coffee-based cocoa alternative
• Protocol developed for artificial rabbit milk

Climate Tech

• Bioinfood develops yeast to boost biofuel yields
• Dow and Casa dos Ventos sign renewable power deals
• Geo explores SAF production from sugarcane biogas
• Hummingbirds raises capital for carbon projects

Funding & M&A

• The Yield Lab Latam prepares Brazil-focused AgTech fund
• Daabon acquires Agropalma operations in Pará
• Piracanjuba takes control of Bäsel Lácteos
• Arcos assumes control of Lavoro distribution business
• Warburg Pincus backs expansion of Global Eggs

Macro & Markets

• Brazil opens soybean and beef exports to new markets
• Mato Grosso faces major grain storage bottleneck

AgTech & AI

Beeflow targets US$10 million revenue as it expands in Brazil - Argentine startup Beeflow, a Yield Lab Latam portfolio company, is betting on Brazil as a key growth market. The company, which specializes in agricultural pollination using trained bees, aims to surpass US$10 million in revenue as it scales operations with large agricultural producers. Founded in 2016 and operating in five countries, about half of its revenue currently comes from pollination services in blueberry production. In Brazil, where trials began in citrus orchards, the company is expanding into crops such as coffee and apples, combining bee training using floral scent compounds with partnerships with local beekeepers to improve pollination efficiency and yields. read more

AI tool helps farmers manage soybean rust risk - Researchers at Embrapa have developed a digital platform that uses artificial intelligence and multiple data sources to help farmers detect and manage Asian soybean rust, one of the crop’s most destructive diseases. The system combines climate data, environmental sensors, leaf images and agronomic parameters such as cultivar and planting calendar to assess the likelihood of disease outbreaks. Hosted in the cloud, the platform generates risk maps and technical recommendations that help producers decide when and where to apply fungicides, potentially reducing unnecessary applications while improving disease control. read more

Agricultural drone market enters consolidation phase - Brazil’s agricultural drone market is entering a new phase as rapid adoption begins attracting large machinery manufacturers. The country now has more than 30,000 registered agricultural drones, up from only 2,000 in 2021, according to industry estimates. The technology is widely used for crop spraying and monitoring, with drones able to treat about 20 hectares per hour while reducing water and chemical use. As the market expands, competition is intensifying and consolidation is expected. Major machinery groups such as Jacto and CNH Industrial are moving into the segment, while DJI Agriculture has already built a network of about 400 service centers across Brazil to support operators and equipment maintenance. read more

Cellva raises US$4M to scale cocoa alternative made from coffee byproducts - Brazilian foodtech Cellva has raised about US$4 million in a pre-Series A round as it pivots from cultivated animal fat to a new ingredient designed to replace cocoa solids. The company’s product, CoffeeCoa, is made from coffee fruit byproducts and can be used in chocolate, bakery and beverage formulations. The funding will support construction of a semi-industrial plant in Manaus and help scale production toward a target of 1,000 tons by 2026. By sourcing coffee husks from Brazilian farmers, Cellva aims to create a new value chain around agricultural residues while addressing volatility in global cocoa markets. read more

New protocol opens path to artificial rabbit milk production - Researchers at the State University of Maringá have developed a technique to collect milk from rabbits, a key step toward producing artificial rabbit milk in Brazil. The breakthrough addresses a common challenge in rabbit farming: large litters often exceed the mother’s ability to feed all newborns. The protocol combines hormonal stimulation, natural suckling cues and suction equipment to collect milk safely without harming the animals. Scientists believe the technique could eventually enable commercial rabbit milk formulas and help reduce early mortality rates in rabbit production systems. read more

Climate Tech

Bioinfood raises US$600k to improve biofuel fermentation with yeast technology - Brazilian biotech startup Bioinfood secured about US$600,000 from state funder FINEP to advance yeast strains designed to improve ethanol fermentation efficiency. Developed from research at the University of Campinas, the technology aims to increase ethanol yields while allowing microorganisms to better withstand harsh conditions inside industrial fermenters. The project focuses on improving sugar conversion in both sugarcane and corn ethanol processes, potentially boosting output without additional feedstock. read more

Dow and Casa dos Ventos sign solar and wind self-generation deals - Dow signed two renewable energy agreements with Brazilian developer Casa dos Ventos under Brazil’s autoprodução model, where large energy consumers become equity partners in generation assets. One agreement gives Dow participation in the Seriemas solar complex in Mato Grosso do Sul, expected to begin operations in 2026. The second expands Dow’s stake in the Rio do Vento wind complex in Rio Grande do Norte. read more

Geo partners with U.S. firm to produce sustainable aviation fuel from sugarcane biogas - Geo bio gas&carbon signed an MOU with Texas-based Syzygy Plasmonics to develop projects converting sugarcane biogas into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The initiative will use biogas generated from sugarcane residues such as vinasse and filter cake, transforming waste streams into low-carbon jet fuel. Initial plants are expected to produce up to 100,000 tons of SAF annually, with plans to expand capacity to more than 525,000 tons. read more

Hummingbirds raises US$60M to scale nature-based carbon projects - French startup Hummingbirds raised €50 million (about US$60 million) in a Series A round led by Swedfund, Proparco and British International Investment. The company structures nature-based carbon projects by connecting investors, developers and local communities to build carbon credit supply. Brazil is a priority market, with projects underway in Pará and Bahia focused on reforestation and land restoration. Hummingbirds works at early project stages, assessing economic viability, governance structures and community participation before larger investors scale the initiatives. read more

Funding & M&A

The Yield Lab Latam prepares Brazil-focused early-stage AgTech fund - The Yield Lab Latam (yours truly) is preparing to launch a new investment fund dedicated exclusively to Brazilian startups operating across the agricultural supply chain. The vehicle will focus on early-stage, high-growth companies, with a particular emphasis on AI-first technologies that improve productivity, efficiency and decision-making in agriculture. The strategy aims to attract capital from Brazilian strategic investors and institutions that typically cannot participate in offshore regional funds such as the Yield Lab Latam Opportunity Fund. We are seeing a growing pipeline of new startups emerging at the intersection of AI, digital agriculture and climate technologies in Brazil. read more

Daabon acquires Agropalma operations in Pará - Colombian agribusiness group Daabon agreed to acquire the Pará operations of Brazilian palm oil producer Agropalma, expanding its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing palm oil regions. The deal includes a refinery near Belém, six extraction plants and roughly 107,000 hectares of land, with more than 40,000 hectares already under cultivation. The acquisition forms part of a divestment strategy by AlfaPar, the holding company of the Faria family that owns Agropalma. read more

Piracanjuba takes control of specialty cheese producer Bäsel Lácteos - Brazil’s antitrust authority approved the acquisition of Bäsel Lácteos by dairy group Piracanjuba, strengthening the company’s presence in premium cheese markets. Bäsel produces specialty cheeses including emmental, gruyère, gouda and maasdam at its facility in Antônio Carlos, Minas Gerais. The deal expands Piracanjuba’s industrial footprint to ten plants across Brazil and supports its strategy to move into higher value dairy products. read more

Arcos assumes control of Lavoro’s distribution business in Brazil - Brazilian restructuring firm Arcos (AGI) has assumed control of Lavoro’s agricultural input distribution operations in Brazil as part of a broader restructuring of the ag retail sector. The transaction follows the exit of Pátria Investimentos from Lavoro’s original consolidation strategy, which aimed to build a nationwide network of agricultural retailers. Lavoro will now focus its operations in Colombia, while Arcos takes over the Brazilian distribution assets. The move mirrors the restructuring of Agrogalaxy, another major ag retail roll-up that has also faced financial challenges in Brazil’s farm input distribution market. read more

Warburg Pincus invests up to US$1B in Global Eggs expansion - Private equity firm Warburg Pincus announced plans to invest up to US$1 billion in Global Eggs, the international egg production group led by Brazilian entrepreneur Ricardo Faria. The deal values the company at about US$8 billion and will support its global expansion strategy. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Luxembourg, Global Eggs operates across Brazil, the United States and Europe through businesses including Granja Faria, Hillandale Farms and Grupo Hevo. With roughly 45 million birds and billions of eggs produced annually, the company aims to strengthen its position in global protein markets through acquisitions and capacity expansion. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil opens soybean and beef exports to new markets - Brazil secured new export approvals allowing soybean shipments to the Philippines and ground beef exports to Mexico, expanding access to two important international markets. The Philippines is a major importer of soybeans for animal feed, while Mexico represents a growing destination for higher value beef products. The new agreements are part of Brazil’s broader strategy to diversify export destinations and strengthen trade ties across Asia and Latin America. Mexico imported more than US$3 billion in Brazilian agricultural products last year, and demand from Southeast Asia continues to rise as livestock production expands. read more

Mato Grosso storage bottleneck leaves half the harvest without capacity - Brazil’s largest grain producing state continues to face a major infrastructure constraint as production outpaces storage capacity. According to Aprosoja MT, Mato Grosso is expected to produce about 103 million tons of soybeans and corn in the 2025–26 season but has storage space for only about half that volume. The shortfall forces farmers to sell quickly during harvest, often at lower prices, and increases pressure on transport and logistics systems. Industry groups estimate Brazil needs roughly US$3 billion in annual investment to expand storage infrastructure and keep pace with rising grain production. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Hi, I’m Kieran Gartlan, Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, one of the region’s top AgriFood and Climate Tech VC funds. If you’re curious to learn more about Brazil’s AgriTech Revolution, feel free to reach out here, or on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to share what I’m seeing on the ground.

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Summary

In AgriTech news this week, Embrapa introduced a simple drinker adaptation that reduces cross-suckling in calves, while Sou AgroSoluções expands its back-office platforms serving megaclients such as Amaggi, BASF, and AgroGalaxy. Embrapa and Latina Seeds launched a high-yield forage sorghum hybrid designed to boost livestock productivity and forage stability.

In Climate Tech developments, Brazil’s dairy sector emits roughly half the global average per liter of milk, according to Embrapa. Lab-grown leather startup Moondo opened a $4 million round via the EqSeed crowdfunding platform, while biologicals leader Biotrop grew 23% and targets more than $200 million in revenue in 2026. Embrapa also demonstrated a system that converts swine waste into potable-quality water, and rice ethanol gained traction as a tool to manage surplus stocks.

On the funding and M&A front, iFood invested US$ 1 million in drone company Speedbird Aero as part of its push into autonomous delivery. MBRF structured a FIDC to deploy $75 million into Paraná’s poultry and pork chain, while JBS continues to expand logistics capacity at the Port of Itajaí following renewed investment.

In Macro & Markets, orange juice exports to the European Union jumped 55% in January. New U.S. tariff rules position Brazil as a relative trade beneficiary, the first corn DDG shipment reached China, agricultural aviation expanded with its first autonomous aircraft, and Embrapa deepened scientific cooperation with South Korea.

Table of Contents

AgriTech

• Simple drinker device reduces cross-suckling in calves
• Sou AgroSoluções bets on back-office ag management
• Embrapa and Latina Seeds launch high-yield forage sorghum

Climate Tech

• Brazilian milk shows lower carbon footprint than global average
• Lab-grown leather startup opens $4M round on EqSeed
• Biotrop grows 23% and targets $200M+ revenue milestone in 2026
• Embrapa tech turns pig waste into potable water
• Rice ethanol proposed as outlet for surplus stocks

Funding & M&A

• iFood invests US$ 1 million in drone logistics startup Speedbird
• MBRF raises FIDC to deploy $75M in Paraná expansion
• Under JBS management, Port of Itajaí reconnects to global routes

Macro & Markets

• Orange juice exports to EU jump at end of season
• Brazil seen as main beneficiary of new U.S. tariffs
• Brazil ships first corn DDG cargo to China
• Brazil’s ag aviation fleet grows 5% and registers first autonomous aircraft
• Embrapa signs scientific cooperation agreement with South Korea

AgriTech

Simple drinker device reduces cross-suckling in calves – Research found that attaching artificial nipples to water drinkers significantly reduces cross-suckling in group-raised dairy calves. In trials with 24 animals, cross-suckling occurred about five times per day with nipple drinkers versus roughly nine times with open buckets. The low-cost adaptation satisfies calves’ natural sucking instinct without affecting milk intake, water consumption, or weight gain, and may reduce health risks such as umbilical inflammation and future udder damage. read more

Sou AgroSoluções bets on back-office ag management – The Goiânia-based agtech is targeting revenue growth from roughly $450,000 to $1 million in 2026 by expanding its logistics and royalty management platforms. Its tools automate distribution tracking and biotech royalty reporting for major agribusiness clients. Operating without external funding, the company manages more than $200 million in royalties per crop cycle and is preparing to bring in its first strategic investor this year. read more

Embrapa and Latina Seeds launch high-yield forage sorghum – A new giant forage sorghum hybrid can exceed 80 tons per hectare in a single cut within up to 125 days. Reaching 4 to 5 meters in height, the cultivar offers strong regrowth capacity and resistance to major fungal diseases. Designed for both first and second crop cycles, it supports rising livestock feed demand and can also be used for biogas and energy production. read more

Climate Tech

Brazilian milk shows lower carbon footprint than global average – A new study by USP university and Embrapa, supported by Cargill, found that Brazil’s dairy sector emits 1.19 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilo of milk, less than half the global average of 2.5 kg. The research covered 28 farms across seven states using Life Cycle Assessment methodology, including feed production and manure management. Higher animal productivity helps dilute emissions per liter, with enteric fermentation accounting for 47% of total emissions and feed production 36.8%. Regional differences were significant, with the Pampa biome showing the lowest intensity. read more

Lab-grown leather startup opens R$4M round on EqSeed – Brazilian biotech Moondo launched a public raise of approximately $850,000 via EqSeed to scale its cultivated leather production. The company uses cellular cultivation to produce collagen-based leather without raising or slaughtering animals, initially targeting the luxury segment where margins can absorb early-stage biotech costs. Around 80% of the funds will go toward laboratory infrastructure, with the remainder allocated to IP and commercial validation. Founded in 2022, the startup positions itself as a Latin American pioneer in alternative leather production. read more

Biotrop grows 23% and targets $200M+ revenue milestone in 2026 – Biological inputs company Biotrop closed 2025 with revenue of approximately $180 million, up 23% year over year despite tighter credit conditions and weaker soy and corn prices. For 2026, the company aims to surpass $200 million as it expands in Brazil and internationally. The domestic biologicals market reached roughly $1 billion last season, while the global market is projected to hit $45 billion by 2032. Biotrop now covers more than 50 million hectares and continues investing heavily in R&D, including new bioherbicides and next-generation crop solutions. read more

Embrapa tech turns pig waste into potable water – Embrapa demonstrated that swine manure can be treated and transformed into potable-quality water using a multi-stage system combining solid-liquid separation, anaerobic biodigestion, biological nitrogen removal, and chemical phosphorus precipitation. The treated effluent meets Brazilian standards for discharge and reuse and, in demonstrative applications, was refined to drinking standards to showcase the technology’s potential. Originally developed to reduce environmental impacts and improve on-farm water reuse, the system highlights circular bioeconomy opportunities in high-density livestock regions. read more

Rice ethanol proposed as outlet for surplus stocks – Researchers and industry leaders in Rio Grande do Sul are debating ethanol production from rice as a long-term strategy to manage oversupply and stabilize farmer margins. With producer prices below production costs and inventories weighing on the 2025/26 crop, biofuel use is being studied as an alternative demand channel. Embrapa sees potential through targeted cultivars and innovation, though industry voices question rice’s energy efficiency compared to corn. Brazil’s rice output is projected near 11 million tons this season, down year over year, yet still pressured by global competition and lower prices. read more

Funding & M&A

iFood invests US$ 1 million in drone logistics startup Speedbird – iFood invested US$ 1 million in Brazilian drone company Speedbird Aero to scale autonomous food delivery operations. The startup has operated pilot routes since 2021, including a four-kilometer corridor in Aracaju that reduces delivery times from roughly 30 minutes by road to about three minutes by air. After receiving permanent regulatory approval from Anac for remotely piloted flights over populated areas, Speedbird has completed around 2,000 deliveries and is preparing a Series B round as it expands into new metropolitan regions. read more

MBRF raises FIDC to deploy $75M in Paraná expansion – MBRF structured a FIDC to invest approximately $75 million in Paraná’s poultry and pork production chain, combining around $60 million from the company with roughly $15 million from state development agency Fomento Paraná. The vehicle will finance farm expansion and industrial upgrades at rates near 9.5% per year, below Brazil’s benchmark interest rate. About 30% of the funds will also support productivity and efficiency improvements in processing plants, reinforcing Paraná’s strategy to scale agroindustrial output. read more

Under JBS management, Port of Itajaí reconnects to global routes – One year after taking over operations, JBS Terminais reactivated the Port of Itajaí with 10 regular shipping lines, eight of them weekly, reconnecting Santa Catarina to Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. The terminal handled 386,489 TEUs in 2025, reaching 93% of contracted capacity, following $44 million in investments to modernize infrastructure and expand refrigerated cargo capacity. The port now serves more than 3,000 clients and is projected to reach full operational capacity by the end of 2026. read more

Macro & Markets

Orange juice exports to EU jump at end of season – Brazilian orange juice shipments to the European Union totaled 50,300 tons in January, up 55% from the same month last year and marking the strongest month of the current 2025/26 season, according to Cepea/USP. Despite the rebound, cumulative exports for the season remain 4.6% below the prior year. Heavy January rains across São Paulo affected fruit quality and increased fungal incidence, pressuring spot prices, which fell from R$43 to R$41 per 40-kg box by month end. read more

Brazil seen as main beneficiary of new U.S. tariffs – A study cited by Global Trade Alert indicates Brazil will see the largest average tariff reduction among countries affected by the new 15% U.S. global tariff. The average rate on Brazilian goods is expected to fall 13.6 percentage points, restoring competitiveness in the U.S. market for products such as coffee, honey, and processed foods. Some Brazilian exports previously faced surcharges of up to 40%, and the new framework is expected to lower the effective average tariff to around 12.8%. read more

Brazil ships first corn DDG cargo to China – Brazil exported its first shipment of corn DDG to China following the opening of the Chinese market under a new bilateral sanitary protocol. The 62,000-ton cargo departed from the Port of Imbituba and was shipped by Inpasa. Brazil exported nearly 880,000 tons of DDG and DDGS in 2025, up 9.77% year over year, as ethanol co-products gain relevance in global feed markets. read more

Brazil’s ag aviation fleet grows 5% and registers first autonomous aircraft – The agricultural aircraft fleet expanded 5.2% in 2025, reaching 2,866 planes and servicing approximately 131 million hectares. The sector generates roughly R$7.89 billion in outsourced operations across leading states. A milestone this year was the regulatory approval of the country’s first autonomous agricultural aircraft, the electric Pelican, marking a step toward gradual modernization of aerial application. read more

Embrapa signs scientific cooperation agreement with South Korea – Embrapa formalized a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Rural Development Administration to expand collaboration in climate change, bioeconomy, biotechnology, digital agriculture, and artificial intelligence. The agreement includes joint research on mushroom cultivars adapted to tropical and subtropical conditions, as well as researcher exchanges and intellectual property guidelines, reinforcing Brazil’s role in global agricultural science partnerships. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgriTech news this week, biological innovation and digital infrastructure take center stage. Rovensa Next opened a pilot fermentation plant to accelerate scale-up of microbial biosolutions, while Jacto moves toward commercial autonomy with satellite-connected machinery and John Deere brings Brazilian startup IoTag into its global collaborator program. Satellite mapping is also advancing public policy, with AI tools now identifying banana and peach palm production with high accuracy.

In Climate Tech developments, regenerative systems gain stronger economic and scientific backing. Citrosuco expanded its Nutrir+ accelerator focused on regenerative ventures, a new Amazonian fungus showed promise against crop diseases, and a European-facing study confirmed the financial viability of agroforestry cocoa. A major soil study also quantified Brazil’s carbon deficit from land-use change, while long-term field data reinforced the productivity and climate benefits of bioinputs.

On the Funding & M&A front, early signals point to renewed capital flow. BemAgro raised US$6 million to expand into the U.S., January agritech funding reached US$41.4 million across multiple startups, and the federal government announced US$660 million in non-reimbursable innovation grants. Vida Veg also expanded through acquisition, strengthening its position in plant-based foods.

In Macro & Markets, fundamentals remain firm. Brazil’s feedlot sector grew 16 percent and projects 10 million head in 2026, agribusiness employment reached a record 28.58 million people, and the creation of a national tilapia germplasm bank signals long-term investment in genetic resilience and productivity.

Table of Contents

AgriTech

• Jacto bets on satellite connectivity and autonomous machines to double revenue

• Rovensa Next opens pilot fermentation plant in Brazil

• John Deere selects Brazilian startup IoTag for global collaborator program

• Satellites map banana and peach palm for family farming

Climate Tech

• Amazon fungus shows potential to fight crop diseases and superbacteria

• Citrosuco expands Nutrir+ and accelerates 12 regenerative agriculture ventures

• Brazil confirms economic viability of agroforestry cocoa

• Study quantifies carbon deficit linked to land-use change in Brazil

• Bioinputs increase soybean productivity by more than 8% in Paraná

Funding & M&A

• Brazilian agtech BemAgro raises US$6 million to scale to the U.S.

• Agtech funding shows renewed momentum in January

• MCTI and Finep allocate US$60 million for agrifood innovation

• Vida Veg acquires Plant Choice and targets 30% growth in 2026

Macro & Markets

• Brazil feedlot sector grows 16% and eyes 10 million heads in 2026

• Agribusiness employment reaches record high and grows above national average

• Instituto de Pesca establishes Brazil’s first tilapia germplasm bank

AgriTech

Jacto advances satellite-connected autonomy to double revenue – Jacto plans to embed satellite internet in its equipment starting in 2026 and will commercially launch its autonomous sprayer, the Arbus 4000 JAV, at this year's Agrishow event. The machine operates 24 hours a day and allows a single operator to supervise multiple units remotely, reducing labor dependency. After recovering revenue to US$740 million in 2025, the company aims to double in size over the next seven years through digital agriculture, internal restructuring and selective acquisitions. read more

Rovensa Next opens pilot fermentation plant in Brazil – Rovensa Next inaugurated a pilot fermentation facility in Monte Mor, São Paulo, designed to bridge laboratory research and industrial-scale production of microbial biosolutions. The unit supports fermentation volumes up to 150 liters, roughly 20 times larger than conventional lab systems, reducing scale-up risk and accelerating validation of new biological products. Connected to its global biosolutions research center in Hortolândia, the plant mirrors industrial conditions with advanced monitoring systems. read more

Brazilian IoTag joins John Deere global collaborator program – IoTag was selected as one of five companies worldwide to join the John Deere Startup Collaborator 2026 program. The Brazilian startup developed patented telematics that connect multi-brand farm machinery to the internet, using AI and IoT to benchmark performance, improve fuel efficiency and optimize operations. In Brazil, its technology will now be distributed through John Deere dealerships, with pilots also underway in Argentina and Ukraine, positioning the company within a global innovation pipeline. read more

Satellites map banana and peach palm for family farming – Using Sentinel-2 imagery and AI-based classification, Embrapa researchers achieved more than 93 percent accuracy in mapping banana and peach palm production in Jacupiranga, São Paulo. The study demonstrated that water-based spectral indices outperform traditional vegetation indices in humid tropical conditions and included peach palm as a distinct crop category. The approach supports territorial planning, technical assistance and policy design for family farming, showing how public satellite data can deliver scalable monitoring in diversified tropical systems. read more

Climate Tech

Amazon fungus shows potential to fight crop diseases and superbacteria – Embrapa researchers have identified a new fungal species, Trichoderma agriamazonicum, with promising agricultural and biotechnological applications. Isolated from Amazonian wood, the fungus demonstrated the ability to suppress plant pathogens affecting crops such as soy and fruit through biological control mechanisms. Early laboratory results also suggest potential activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, highlighting the Amazon as a reservoir of bioinnovation and sustainable crop protection solutions. read more

Citrosuco expands Nutrir+ and accelerates 12 regenerative ventures – Citrosuco launched the third edition of its Nutrir+ acceleration program, expanding participation to startups from Mato Grosso do Sul alongside São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The four-month initiative supports 12 ventures focused on regenerative agriculture, spanning ESG compliance, geospatial monitoring, bioinputs and bioconversion solutions. Startups receive mentorship from company executives and structured development support as part of Citrosuco’s ESG 2030 agenda. read more

Brazil confirms economic viability of agroforestry cocoa – Brazilian institutions presented research in Amsterdam demonstrating that cocoa grown in agroforestry systems in Bahia and Pará is financially viable. The study evaluated 11 production models combining cocoa with crops such as banana, cassava, açaí and native tree species. All scenarios showed positive internal rates of return and net present value, while also aligning with EU anti-deforestation regulations and climate targets, reinforcing agroforestry as a regenerative and investable production model. read more

Study quantifies carbon deficit linked to land-use change in Brazil – A study published in Nature Communications calculated that the conversion of native vegetation to agriculture generated a 1.4 billion ton carbon deficit in Brazilian soils, equivalent to 5.2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent. The analysis compiled more than 4,000 soil samples across six biomes and identified the Cerrado and Mata Atlântica as holding 72 percent of recarbonization potential. Integrated crop-livestock systems and no-till practices showed lower carbon losses, providing a scientific baseline for carbon market and policy design. read more

Bioinputs increase soybean productivity by more than 8% in Paraná – A decade of field validation by Embrapa and IDR-Paraná showed that coinoculation with beneficial bacteria increased soybean yields by an average 8.3 percent. In the 2024/25 season, coinoculated areas reached 3,916 kg per hectare versus 3,615 kg in non-inoculated fields. Nationwide, 85 percent of soybean hectares already use inoculation technology, reducing nitrogen fertilizer dependency and contributing to significant cost savings and emission mitigation. read more

Funding & M&A

BemAgro raises US$6 million to expand into the U.S. – Ribeirão Preto–based BemAgro closed a US$6 million Series A to accelerate international expansion, with U.S. operations planned for 2027. The round was led by The Yield Lab Latam and included Colorado Ventures, CNH Industrial, Atvos, Suzano, and follow-on investors from its 2024 seed round. BemAgro’s platform converts drone and machinery data into actionable insights, helping farmers reduce herbicide use by up to 80 percent while cutting water and diesel waste. With operations in 12 countries, the company expects dollar revenues to support strong growth through 2030. read more

Agri funding shows renewed momentum after fresh deals – Four Brazilian agri startups raised US$41.4 million in January, representing nearly 30 percent of total sector investment in 2025 and ten times the volume seen in January last year. Deals involved Sensix, Fretes.com, Nagro and Culttivo, spanning precision agriculture, logistics and rural credit. Investors point to potential Selic rate cuts and increased use of structured debt vehicles such as FIDCs as catalysts for renewed capital flow, suggesting the funding environment may be stabilizing after a slower 2024. read more

MCTI and Finep allocate US$60 million for agrifood innovation – Brazil’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and Finep announced US$60 million in non-reimbursable funding dedicated to agrifood value chains under the New Brazil Industry program. The calls target projects aimed at improving productivity, digitalization and sustainability across agricultural and agro-industrial systems, reinforcing the government’s push to strengthen technological competitiveness within Brazil’s food production ecosystem. read more

Vida Veg acquires Plant Choice and targets 30% growth in 2026 – Minas Gerais–based Vida Veg acquired plant-based foodtech Plant Choice, expanding into proprietary plant-based cold cuts and strengthening its position in foodservice. The acquisition complements Vida Veg’s retail footprint with Plant Choice’s distribution channels in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Operations will be integrated while brands remain independent, and the company projects 30 percent growth in 2026 driven by expanded distribution and new product launches. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil feedlot sector grows 16% and eyes 10 million head in 2026 – Brazil confined 9.25 million cattle in 2025, up 16 percent year over year, according to the latest census by dsm-firmenich. Growth was concentrated among larger operations, with the top 100 producers accounting for 45 percent of total confined animals. Mato Grosso leads with 2.2 million head, followed by São Paulo and Goiás. Margins are currently near 15 percent nationwide, with some regions approaching 20 percent. The sector is projected to reach 10 million head in 2026, reflecting continued professionalization and technology adoption. read more

Agribusiness employment reaches record high and grows above national average – Brazil’s agribusiness employed 28.58 million people in the third quarter of 2025, up 2 percent year over year, adding nearly 569,000 jobs according to Cepea and CNA. This marks the largest workforce ever recorded for the sector since the series began in 2012. Agribusiness now represents 26.35 percent of total national employment, with growth driven primarily by agri-services and input industries such as fertilizers, crop protection and machinery. read more

Brazil establishes first national tilapia germplasm bank – Researchers at the Fish Institute created the country’s first broad germplasm bank for Nile tilapia, preserving and characterizing strains from five states. The initiative evaluated nine populations and identified significant genetic diversity despite limited visible phenotypic differences. Maintained in São José do Rio Preto, the in situ bank will support breeding programs adapted to regional conditions, including tolerance to cold, heat and salinity, as well as improved fillet yield. The project strengthens long-term genetic security in Brazil’s largest aquaculture species. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgriTech news this week, gene editing is emerging as a practical climate adaptation tool, with Brazilian researchers cutting soy breeding cycles from more than a decade to just two years. At the same time, AI adoption across agribusiness continues to grow, but with clearer implications for jobs, as a majority of CEOs now expect fewer entry-level roles as automation reshapes decision-making and operations.

In Climate Tech, capital and science are converging around land-use solutions. Mombak is entering a new growth phase after securing more than US$250 million for large-scale reforestation, while Indigo has begun paying farmers directly for verified sustainable practices linked to retail demand. Elsewhere, long-term academic research is challenging taboos around circular inputs, showing that treated sewage sludge can be safely used in agriculture when properly managed.

On the funding and M&A front, balance-sheet expansion remains active across the value chain. From early-stage food startups like Turma do Ovo raising capital to scale niche subscription models, to infrastructure-heavy moves such as Rumo’s rail financing and Coamo’s acquisition of grain facilities, investment is flowing into logistics, capacity, and resilience. Partnerships like the Seara–Iveco deal also point to decarbonization starting to influence transport decisions.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil’s role as a global agricultural supplier continues to strengthen, with exports reaching US$169 billion in 2025 and new trade channels opening, including DDGS shipments to China led by Inpasa. At the same time, competition is intensifying as Asian crop protection players expand their presence, while inflation and climate risk remain the top concerns keeping agribusiness CEOs cautious in an increasingly volatile global environment.

Table of Contents

AgriTech

• Gene editing cuts soy breeding cycles to two years

• AI gains traction in agribusiness as CEOs plan workforce cuts

Climate Tech

• Indigo begins paying farmers for verified sustainable practices

• Mombak launches new fund after raising US$250M for reforestation

• Bioinputs scale across Latin America, but margins come under pressure

• Scientific studies support agricultural use of treated sewage sludge

• Seara and Iveco partner on low-emission urban food logistics

Funding & M&A

• Turma do Ovo seeks US$470k to scale organic egg subscriptions

• Rumo raises US$300M to expand Brazil’s central rail corridor

• Coamo acquires four grain facilities from Pátria for US$27M

Macro & Markets

• Brazil reaches US$169B in agricultural exports in 2025

• Inpasa ships first DDGS cargo to China, opening new feed trade

• Cocoa expands beyond Bahia as new frontiers attract capital

• Asian crop protection players intensify competition in Brazil

• Inflation and climate risks top concerns for agribusiness CEOs

AgriTech

Gene editing cuts soy breeding cycles to two years – Brazil`s Ag researcher agency, Embrapa, is using gene-editing techniques to accelerate the development of soy varieties that are more tolerant to heat and water stress, reducing breeding timelines from around 15 years to as little as 24 months. Unlike transgenic approaches, the method works with the plant’s own genetic material, combining desirable traits already present in different soy varieties. Scientists extract and analyze DNA to identify genes linked to stress tolerance and insert them precisely into elite cultivars. read more

AI gains traction in agribusiness as CEOs plan workforce cuts – Artificial intelligence is starting to generate productivity and revenue gains across Brazilian agribusiness, but adoption remains uneven and largely tactical. According to PwC’s 2026 CEO Survey, 33% of agro executives report revenue growth linked to AI, while nearly half say they have not yet achieved meaningful cost reductions. At the same time, 60 percent of CEOs expect cuts to junior and entry-level roles over the next three years as automation matures, reflecting a shift in workforce structure. Inflation and climate risks continue to dominate priorities, keeping most leaders focused on short-term execution rather than deeper AI-driven transformation. read more

Climate Tech

Indigo begins paying farmers for verified sustainable practices – Indigo has begun paying grain producers in Brazil and Argentina for adopting verified sustainability practices, marking a shift from pilot programs to direct financial incentives. The company has committed around US$2 million in payments over a two-year cycle, linking farmers directly with food and retail companies seeking to reduce Scope 3 emissions through insetting. The program currently covers roughly 16,000 hectares of soy, corn, and rice, with producers receiving premiums of 2 to 5 percent above commodity prices once practices are measured and validated. read more

Mombak launches new fund after raising US$250M for reforestation – Reforestation and carbon removal company Mombak has raised more than US$250 million to finance large-scale projects in the Brazilian Amazon and is now launching a second fund as it enters a phase of accelerated growth. The capital includes equity, debt, and outcomes-based financing from institutions such as development banks and climate-focused investors. Mombak currently manages around 20,000 hectares, has planted over 12 million trees, and targets one million tonnes of CO₂ removal per year by 2035. read more

Bioinputs scale across Latin America, but margins come under pressure – After more than a decade of rapid expansion, bioinputs are now widely adopted across Latin America’s main export crops, but the sector is entering a more challenging phase. While demand remains strong due to regulatory pressure, residue limits, and agronomic efficiency gains, market saturation is increasing competition. Prices are under pressure, payment cycles are lengthening, and working capital requirements are rising. Industry executives warn that growth based purely on volume is no longer enough, with financial discipline, execution, and access to distribution becoming decisive. read more

Scientific studies support agricultural use of treated sewage sludge – Long-term academic research in Brazil shows that properly treated sewage sludge can be safely used in agriculture, improving soil organic matter and supplying nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus without contaminating crops. Studies tracking applications over decades found no accumulation of heavy metals when protocols are followed. Despite the scientific backing, adoption remains limited, with only a small share of collected sludge reused in farming. Researchers argue that the main barrier is social and cultural stigma rather than technical risk. read more

Seara and Iveco partner on low-emission urban food logistics – Seara, the poultry and pork division of JBS, has partnered with Iveco to pilot low-emission urban freight solutions in Brazil. The collaboration centers on Iveco’s multifuel truck concept, capable of operating on biomethane, natural gas, or ethanol. Depending on the energy source, emissions reductions of up to 95 percent are possible compared with diesel vehicles. The initiative targets urban food distribution, where emissions and congestion are growing concerns. read more

Funding & M&A

Turma do Ovo seeks US$470k to scale organic egg subscriptions – São Paulo–based agtech startup Turma do Ovo is seeking to raise US$470,000 via an equity crowdfunding round to support its next phase of growth. The company produces organic and free-range eggs and sells them through a subscription and direct-sales model focused on chefs, restaurants, and premium consumers. Proceeds will be used mainly to expand production capacity, logistics, and supplier onboarding. Turma do Ovo currently serves around 680 subscribers, plans to reach 2,000 recurring customers, and aims to double capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 laying hens as demand for traceable, premium proteins grows. read more

Rumo raises US$300M to expand Brazil’s central rail corridor – Rail operator Rumo has raised US$300 million through a debenture issuance to fund investments in its central rail network, a key logistics corridor for Brazilian agribusiness. More than 80 percent of the company’s transported volumes are agricultural products, primarily grains destined for export ports. The funding will support capacity expansion, efficiency improvements, and infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing bottlenecks and logistics costs. read more

Coamo acquires four grain facilities from Pátria for US$27M – Coamo, Brazil’s largest agricultural cooperative, has acquired four grain storage and input facilities in Paraná from the Pátria private equity fund for approximately US$27 million. The assets add 223,000 tonnes of storage capacity and were previously leased by failed trading company Belagrícola. The acquisition was described as an opportunistic move amid a strong outlook for the 2025/26 harvest, with higher expected volumes of soy, corn, and wheat. Funded with Coamo’s own resources, the deal strengthens origination and logistics in northern Paraná state. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil reaches US$169B in agricultural exports in 2025 – Brazil’s agricultural exports reached a record US$169 billion in 2025, up sharply from US$74 billion a decade earlier, reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s largest net food exporter. The performance comes amid rising geopolitical tensions, trade frictions, and climate volatility, highlighting Brazil’s role in balancing global supply. read more

Inpasa ships first DDGS cargo to China, opening new feed trade – Inpasa completed Brazil’s first shipment of dried distillers grains with solubles to China, totaling 62,000 tonnes, following Beijing’s authorization of imports in 2025. The move opens a new export channel linked to Brazil’s growing corn ethanol industry and diversifies China’s sourcing of animal feed ingredients. Inpasa already has around 250,000 tonnes negotiated and estimates that Chinese demand could reach up to 1.5 million tonnes in 2026. read more

Cocoa expands beyond Bahia as new frontiers attract capital – Cocoa production in Brazil is moving beyond its traditional base in southern Bahia into the North and Cerrado regions, driven by high global prices, supply disruptions in Africa, and interest from large farming groups. New production areas are posting significantly higher yields under more intensive systems, attracting multinational input suppliers and traders. read more

Asian crop protection players intensify competition in Brazil – Chinese and Indian agrochemical companies are accelerating their expansion in Brazil as domestic markets in Asia become saturated. New entrants are arriving with smaller portfolios and aggressive pricing, increasing competitive pressure on incumbents. Industry specialists argue the trend should be seen less as a threat and more as a structural shift, forcing local players to professionalize services, innovate, or form partnerships. read more

Inflation and climate risks top concerns for agribusiness CEOs – Inflation and climate volatility have become the leading concerns for agribusiness CEOs, outweighing other macroeconomic risks, according to a recent PWC survey. Rising input costs, interest rates, and weather uncertainty are forcing executives to prioritize short-term risk management and cost control. While innovation and digital transformation remain strategic priorities on paper, many leaders report limited appetite for risk and longer-term investments, underscoring the tension between immediate operational pressures and the need to adapt business models in a more volatile environment. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Share

Summary

In AgriTech news this week, SLC Agrícola expanded autonomous aerial spraying with Pyka, signaling that unmanned systems are moving into routine use at scale. Applied AI also continued to mature, with John Deere cited as a benchmark for embedded intelligence.

In Climate Tech developments, Brazil’s restoration economy gained visibility as a credible growth engine for the bioeconomy, supported by better monitoring, verification, and nature-based revenue models. At the same time, climate startups across Latin America are attracting more investor interest in agro, food systems, and circular economy solutions.

On the funding and M&A front, TOTVS deepened its agribusiness push with the acquisition of TBDC, reinforcing consolidation around vertical software platforms. Private credit continued to expand through CPR issuance, while large-scale capital mobilization remained in focus as Eco Invest channeled billions into sustainable projects. Nude also marked a milestone by raising its first debt round, highlighting growing use of non-equity capital.

In Macro & Markets news, Aliança Agrícola sought temporary court protection, underscoring ongoing balance-sheet stress among leveraged farming groups. Offsetting signals were more constructive, with the Mercosur–EU deal promising broader export access, farm machinery sales rebounding after a prolonged slump, and Latin America gaining traction as a strategic hub for new data center investments.

Table of Contents

AgriTech

• SLC Agrícola scales unmanned crop spraying with Pyka

• Brazil’s AgTech startups to watch in 2026

• John Deere shows what real-world AI looks like in agriculture

Climate Tech

• Brazil’s restoration industry could power the global bioeconomy

• Climate startups gain momentum across Latin America

Funding & M&A

• TOTVS buys TBDC to push deeper into agribusiness software

• Private credit surges in Brazilian agribusiness, driven by CPR growth

• Brazil launches US$40m fund with first investment in Bill Gates-backed startup

• Eco Invest mobilizes over US$10.5bn for sustainable investments in Brazil

• Nude raises first debt financing backed by Yunus and Belat

Macro & Markets

• Aliança Agrícola seeks 60-day court protection as insolvency risks surface

• Mercosur–EU deal could unlock European access for 543 Brazilian products

• Farm machinery sales rebound in 2025 after two-year slump

• Why Latin America is becoming a strategic hub for data centers

AgriTech

SLC Agrícola scales unmanned crop spraying with Pyka – SLC Agrícola is expanding the use of autonomous aerial spraying by partnering with California-based robotics company, Pyka, deploying large unmanned aircraft to apply crop protection products across its operations. The move reflects growing confidence in autonomous aviation for large-scale agriculture, with gains in labor efficiency, precision application, and operational flexibility. read more

Brazil’s AgTech startups to watch in 2026 – An analysis published by AgroAdvance maps the startups shaping Brazil’s innovation agenda in 2026, showing a clear shift from experimentation to execution. Leaders are distinguished by real adoption, scalable business models, and integration into farmers’ decision-making, while others are losing relevance as capital becomes more selective. Data-driven management, biologicals, and automation stand out as areas gaining momentum. read more

John Deere shows what real-world AI looks like in agriculture – At CES 2026, John Deere reinforced how artificial intelligence creates value when it is embedded directly into day-to-day operations rather than treated as a standalone product. Its use of autonomous machinery, precision spraying, and real-time decision support highlights how applied AI improves efficiency, reliability, and execution at scale. The example underscores that AI delivers results when it is trusted by operators, trained on domain-specific data, and tightly integrated into existing farm workflows. read more

Climate Tech

Brazil’s restoration industry could power the global bioeconomy – Brazil is emerging as a global leader in ecosystem restoration by turning degraded land into productive, investable assets linked to the bioeconomy. Restoration projects are increasingly connected to revenue streams such as carbon credits, bioinputs, nature-based solutions, and sustainable supply chains, supported by advances in monitoring, data, and verification. The combination of scale, biodiversity, and agricultural know-how positions Brazil to move restoration from a cost center into economic infrastructure, aligning climate goals with productivity and capital deployment. read more

Climate startups gain momentum across Latin America – Climate-focused startups across Latin America are attracting more investor attention as solutions in agriculture, food systems, and the circular economy move closer to commercial scale. Growth is being driven by demand for regenerative inputs, bio-based materials, waste-to-value models, and climate-resilient production systems. Brazil stands out as a key hub due to its market size, biodiversity, and increasing collaboration between startups, corporates, and investors, reinforcing the region’s role in scaling practical climate solutions. read more

Funding & M&A

TOTVS buys TBDC to push deeper into agribusiness software – TOTVS agreed to acquire Brazilian agtech startup, TBDC, for US$16 million, as part of its strategy to deepen exposure to agribusiness through vertical software solutions. The deal strengthens TOTVS’ portfolio of management, financial, and operational systems tailored to farms and ag companies, reinforcing consolidation around specialized platforms as producers professionalize and digitize operations. The acquisition fits a broader pattern of targeted M&A aimed at capturing demand for compliance, traceability, and data-driven decision tools across Brazil’s ag value chains. read more

Private credit surges in Brazilian agribusiness, driven by CPR growth – Private credit outstanding in Brazil’s agribusiness reached approximately US$280 billion in 2025, fueled by a sharp increase in CPR issuance. A CPR (Cédula de Produto Rural) allows farmers to raise funding against future crop delivery or cash flows and has become a cornerstone of market-based rural credit. As subsidized credit remains constrained, banks, funds, and institutional investors are expanding participation in structured CPRs, reinforcing private capital as a central funding source for the sector. read more

Brazil launches US$40m fund with first investment in Bill Gates-backed startup – Brazilian VC firm Alya Ventures launched Anjos da Terra, a new impact-focused fund targeting up to US$40 million to invest in climate and sustainability startups across energy, agribusiness, biodiversity, and the circular economy. The fund’s first investment was in Antora Energy, a U.S.-based company developing carbon-based thermal batteries for large-scale energy storage, backed by investors including Bill Gates. Anjos da Terra plans to back up to 20 startups and scaleups with proven traction and measurable environmental impact, with capital coming from family offices, asset managers, and banks seeking exposure to innovation-led sustainability themes. read more

Eco Invest mobilizes over US$10.5bn for sustainable investments in Brazil – Brazil’s government-backed Eco Invest program reached a new milestone with the conclusion of its third auction, which released roughly US$3 billion in public capital and is expected to leverage up to US$10.6 billion in total sustainable investments. Demand in the auction exceeded expectations, with proposals indicating the potential to mobilize more than US$16 billion as banks competed on leverage and private capital commitments. The program focuses on equity and venture-style investments in technology-based companies, startups, and growth-stage businesses aligned with innovation, sustainability, and economic development. A key differentiator for foreign investors is that Eco Invest structures include FX hedging mechanisms, reducing currency risk and making Brazil-based climate, bioeconomy, and infrastructure projects more accessible to international capital. read more

Nude raises first debt financing backed by Yunus and Belat – Alternative protein startup Nude secured approximately US$700,000 in its first debt round, with backing from Yunus Social Business and Belat. The capital will be used primarily as working capital to support growth in Nude’s oat milk business, marking a shift from equity-only funding toward more structured instruments. The deal reflects a broader trend among food and ag startups toward debt and hybrid capital as models mature, cash flows stabilize, and founders look to scale while preserving equity. read more

Macro & Markets

Aliança Agrícola seeks 60-day court protection as insolvency risks surface – Trading company Aliança Agrícola requested a 60-day suspension of creditor enforcement actions as it negotiates with lenders amid mounting financial pressure. The move reflects tighter liquidity and rising stress among highly leveraged farming groups following years of expansion financed by private credit. The case highlights how higher interest rates, weaker margins, and balance-sheet fragility are forcing a growing number of producers into restructuring discussions as the cycle turns more selective. read more

Mercosur–EU deal could unlock European access for 543 Brazilian products – The Mercosur–European Union trade agreement could significantly expand Brazilian exports to Europe, with up to 543 products gaining improved market access through tariff reductions or eliminations. The deal would favor producers and exporters able to meet stricter European requirements on traceability, sustainability, and compliance, reinforcing the strategic value of data, certification, and environmental reporting. If ratified, the agreement could accelerate Brazil’s shift toward higher-value, standards-driven exports. read more

Farm machinery sales rebound in 2025 after two-year slump – Sales of agricultural machinery in Brazil grew 7.4% in 2025, marking a return to expansion after two consecutive years of contraction, according to industry data. The recovery was driven mainly by stronger tractor sales, supported by a favorable crop season and improved farm productivity, even amid high interest rates and global trade uncertainty. Tractor and harvester sales combined rose 14.1%, with tractors alone up 14.8%, reflecting delayed replacement demand coming back into the market. read more

Why Latin America is becoming a strategic hub for data centers – Latin America is attracting growing interest from global data center operators as digital demand rises and energy availability becomes a competitive differentiator. Brazil stands out due to its market scale, expanding cloud adoption, and access to renewable power, factors that are increasingly critical as hyperscalers seek to manage costs and emissions. Despite challenges around grid reliability and regulation, the region’s underbuilt infrastructure and demand growth position it as a priority destination for the next wave of digital investment. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In Agri Tech news this week, low-cost spectroscopy is improving traceability by enabling rapid verification of coffee origin and detection of adulteration. On-farm automation is advancing, with a poultry operation in São Paulo using AI to count 140,000 eggs per day with 99.9 percent accuracy. Equity investment continues to contract as credit overtakes venture capital as the dominant funding model for startups.

In Climate Tech developments, new research shows Brazilian livestock emissions could fall nearly 80 percent by 2050 through productivity gains, pasture recovery, and improved animal management. Digital tools are already reducing operational risk and lifting productivity across agriculture, while irrigation digitization is emerging as a key lever for water and energy efficiency.

In Funding news, it has been a strong week for AgFintech. The Yield Lab Latam invested in Culttivo, an agfintech platform financing small and medium coffee farmers, through a bridge round as the company prepares for a US$6 million pre-Series A later this year. This was followed by agfintech Nagro securing a US$10 million Series B round backed by Itaú and Rabobank to expand rural credit in the grains sector.

In Macro and Markets news, the EU–Mercosur agreement is set to expand export access for Brazilian agribusiness through tariff reductions and quotas. Brazil is also on track to process a record 61 million tonnes of soybeans in 2026 and now supplies nearly three-quarters of China’s soybean imports, reinforcing its role in global oilseed markets.

Table of Contents

Agri Tech

• Coffee technology verifies origin and detects adulteration at low cost

• ALLTIS AI counts 140,000 eggs per day at Granja São Marcos

• Equity shrinks as credit overtakes venture capital in startup funding

Climate Tech

• Brazilian livestock emissions could fall nearly 80 percent by 2050

• RaboResearch finds AgTech boosts productivity and reduces risk

• Irrigation digitization emerges as next productivity lever

Funding

• Yield Lab Latam backs Culttivo in bridge ahead of US$6m pre-Series A

• Nagro raises US$10 million with Itaú and Rabobank to expand Ag credit

Macro & Markets

• EU–Mercosur deal set to expand market access for Brazilian agribusiness

• Brazil could process a record 61 million tonnes of soybeans in 2026

• Brazil captures 73.6 percent of China’s soybean imports in record year

Agri Tech

Coffee technology verifies origin and detects adulteration at low cost – Embrapa researchers have developed a rapid, low-cost method to identify the geographic origin of coffee and detect adulteration using near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis. The technology delivers results in minutes without chemical reagents or complex sample preparation, enabling scalable quality control and traceability. The solution can distinguish coffees by producing region and identify fraud, supporting certification, inspections, and premium market access for Brazilian coffee across domestic and export channels. read more

ALLTIS AI counts 140,000 eggs per day at Granja São Marcos – Granja São Marcos, a poultry operation in Mogi-Guaçu, São Paulo, has implemented artificial intelligence technology from ALLTIS to automatically count 140,000 eggs per day with 99.9 percent accuracy, replacing manual processes. The system also monitors key operational indicators such as temperature, water consumption, feed volumes, egg flow, mortality rates, and animal welfare. Digital monitoring has improved real-time decision-making, reduced operational risk, and increased efficiency across the production cycle. read more

Equity shrinks as credit overtakes venture capital in startup funding – Investment in Brazilian startups remained under pressure in 2025, with capital shifting decisively away from equity and toward credit structures. According to Brazil’s Open Innovation and Corporate Venture Capital Ecosystem Report, produced by Sling Hub in partnership with ABVCAP and Alya Ventures, startups raised US$4.5 billion across 459 rounds during the year. When excluding FIDCs, debt, and hybrid structures, pure equity totaled US$1.74 billion, or 39 percent of capital, spread across 412 rounds. Credit dominated volumes, led by US$2.38 billion via FIDCs in 27 transactions, plus US$161 million in traditional debt and US$32.7 million in hybrid rounds, highlighting a more selective, less dilutive funding environment. read more

Climate Tech

Brazilian livestock emissions could fall nearly 80 percent by 2050 – A study by Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from Brazil’s livestock sector could be reduced by at least 79.9 percent by 2050, driven by productivity gains such as pasture recovery, improved genetics, and better animal nutrition. The analysis shows that reductions could reach up to 92.6 percent if, in addition to productivity improvements, Brazil accelerates the adoption of low-carbon livestock solutions, including methane-reducing practices and technologies. read more

RaboResearch finds AgTech boosts productivity and reduces risk – A RaboResearch study highlights how digital technology adoption is reshaping Brazilian agribusiness, improving efficiency and lowering operational risk across the value chain. Brazil currently has 1,574 agtech startups and accounts for more than half of all agtech investment in Latin America, with funding peaking at US$330 million in 2023. The report links technology adoption to sustained productivity gains, rising yields, and better management of climate and market volatility. read more

Irrigation digitization emerges as next productivity lever – Digital irrigation is becoming a key driver of efficiency in Brazilian agriculture as sensors, automation, and integrated platforms enable more precise water and energy management. According to Netafim, digitally monitored drip irrigation projects have delivered water savings of up to 45 percent and energy cost reductions of around US$700 per hectare in crops such as coffee. As systems integrate climate, soil, and operational data, irrigation is shifting from fixed infrastructure to a data-driven decision layer. read more

Funding

Yield Lab Latam backs Culttivo in bridge round ahead of US$6m pre-Series A – Culttivo, a Brazil-based agfintech focused on financing small and medium coffee farmers, received a bridge investment from The Yield Lab Latam as it prepares to raise US$6 million (R$30 million) ahead of a larger Series A of up to US$20 million (R$100 million) next year. The company provides digital credit to coffee growers using satellite imagery and producer data to streamline credit analysis. Culttivo plans to originate US$100 million (R$500 million) in credit in 2026, up from US$60 million (R$300 million) disbursed last year, supported by a funding vehicle of up to US$70 million (R$350 million) and default rates below 2 percent. read more

Nagro raises US$10 million with Itaú and Rabobank to expand ag credit – Brazilian agfintech Nagro raised US$10 million (R$50 million) in a Series B round led by Rabobank (via Rabo Partnerships) alongside Itaú Ventures to scale rural credit and risk management. The company focuses on lending to small and medium-sized producers with annual revenues between US$100,000 and US$4 million, operating fully online and releasing credit in around 48 hours. Nagro plans to disburse US$40 million in 2026, up from US$23 million in 2025, after slowing growth amid rising rural delinquency. Its credit vertical currently includes two Fiagro funds totaling US$24 million, while its B2B risk platform AgRisk serves 1,400 clients, including cooperatives, agribusinesses, and banks. read more

Macro & Markets

EU–Mercosur deal set to expand market access for Brazilian agribusiness – The EU and Mercosur signed a historic free trade agreement after more than 25 years of negotiations, though the deal still requires approval by national congresses in each country before entering into force. Once implemented, the agreement will eliminate import tariffs on 77 percent of agricultural products purchased by the EU from Mercosur, including Brazil, with tariffs reduced gradually over periods ranging from four to ten years, depending on the product. The framework is expected to expand exports of items such as coffee, fruits, fish, crustaceans, and vegetable oils, while reinforcing sustainability and traceability requirements for access to European markets. read more

Brazil could process a record 61 million tons of soybeans in 2026 – Soybean crushing in Brazil is expected to reach a record 61 million tons in 2026, up from 58.5 million tons in 2025, according to industry data from Abiove. The increase is supported by a larger harvest, with Brazil’s soybean crop estimated at 177.1 million tons in the 2025/26 season, compared with 171.5 million tons the previous year. Abiove also projects ending soybean stocks of 9.2 million tons, up from 7.1 million tons last season, reinforcing capacity utilization and availability for domestic processing. Rising demand for soybean meal and biodiesel continues to pull more volume into local crushing, increasing value capture within Brazil’s agri-industrial chain. read more

Brazil captures 73.6% of China’s soybean imports in record year – Brazil increased its share of China’s soybean imports to 73.6 percent in 2025, up from 71 percent in 2024, as Chinese buyers shifted decisively toward South American suppliers. Total Chinese soybean imports reached a record 111.8 million tonnes, up 6.5 percent year over year, with 82.3 million tonnes sourced from Brazil, a 10.3 percent increase. Argentina also expanded its share to 7 percent, while U.S. participation fell to 15 percent, down from 21 percent, with U.S. imports dropping 24 percent to 16.8 million tonnes. Brazilian soybean shipments to China surged 92.5 percent year over year in December. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In Agri Tech this week, connectivity and artificial intelligence are shifting from pilot stage to core infrastructure. A connected farm model backed by Case IH and TIM delivered measurable cost savings and yield gains at commercial scale, while Valtra expanded AI use across both manufacturing and field operations. At the same time, climate intelligence startup i4Sea is moving from ports and mining into agriculture, applying predictive weather and risk models to farm and logistics decisions.

In Climate Tech, biologicals remained in focus from both a science and corporate strategy perspective. BASF strengthened its biological crop protection platform with the acquisition of AgBiTech, a startup with deep roots in Brazil’s row-crop market. Separately, Brazilian researchers identified a bacterium from the Caatinga biome with potential to materially reduce soybean losses caused by herbicide-resistant weeds.

On the Funding & M&A front, signs of normalization continue. Rural Ventures closed a US$10m agtech fund anchored by strategic producers, Solinftec tapped Brazil’s capital markets through a green CRA issuance, and Fiagros returned to positive territory. Consolidation also remained active, with deals in rural insurance and seeds reflecting a continued push for scale and specialization.

In Macro & Markets, trade policy moved forward politically but remains economically cautious. The European Union provisionally approved the Mercosur agreement, advancing the ratification process while leaving key agricultural safeguards and compliance requirements at the center of ongoing debate. Alongside this, Brazil’s fruit exports reached a third consecutive record in 2025, with shipments topping US$1.45 billion as volumes rose nearly 20%.

Table of Contents

Agri Tech

• Case IH and TIM deploy connected farm model cutting US$200k in costs

• Valtra expands AI use across factories and farms

• i4Sea brings climate intelligence from ports and mining to agriculture

Climate Tech

• BASF acquires AgBiTech to scale biological crop protection

• Caatinga bacterium could help reduce soybean losses

Funding & M&A

• Rural Ventures raises Brazil-focused US$10m agritech fund

• Solinftec raises US$38m via green CRA to strengthen balance sheet

• Private ag credit rebounds as Fiagros and CRAs regain momentum

• Wallerius Seguros acquires 100% of Ativa Agro

• Sementes São Francisco acquires Auma Sementes

Macro & Markets

• EU provisionally approves Mercosur trade agreement

• Brazil fruit exports hit third straight record of US$1.45B in 2025

Agri Tech

Case IH and TIM cut R$1 million in costs with connected farm model – The Fazenda Conectada Case IH, a model farm operated in partnership with TIM, Brazil’s largest telecom operator, reported cost reductions of around R$1 million (USD200k) in the 2024/25 season through the use of 4G connectivity, real-time monitoring and data-driven management. Located in Água Boa, Mato Grosso, the farm spans more than 3,000 hectares and integrates connected machinery, agronomic sensors and operational analytics. Soybean yields reached 75 sacks per hectare, up from 68 previously, outperforming regional and national averages. read more

Valtra expands AI use across manufacturing and on-farm operations – Valtra, part of AGCO group, is scaling the use of artificial intelligence across both its industrial processes and field operations, applying machine learning to improve quality control, predictive maintenance and production efficiency in its factories, while also embedding AI into connected machinery used by farmers. On the farm side, AI supports real-time machine diagnostics, operational optimization and smarter use of data generated by equipment, reinforcing the shift toward precision agriculture and more efficient asset utilization across large-scale operations. read more

i4Sea brings climate intelligence from ports to agriculture – i4Sea, a Brazilian climate intelligence startup originally deployed in complex logistics environments such as the Port of Santos and with clients including Vale, one of the world’s largest mining companies, is now targeting agriculture. The platform applies advanced weather modeling and AI to predict extreme events, operational risks and climate variability. In agriculture, the focus is on supporting planning, logistics and risk management for producers and agribusinesses increasingly exposed to climate volatility. read more

Climate Tech

BASF acquires AgBiTech to scale biological crop protection – BASF has acquired AgBiTech, a biological ag startup founded in Australia, headquartered in the United States, and with Brazil as its largest market, accounting for up to 70% of sales. AgBiTech develops bioinsecticides based on baculoviruses to control pests such as Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera frugiperda in soy, corn, and cotton. In Brazil, AgBiTech employs 140 people, serves roughly 600 direct producer clients across 700 farms and will strengthen BASF’s push into biological crop protection, which currently makes up around 10% of its portfolio. read more

Caatinga bacterium could help eliminate up to US$1.8bn in soybean losses – Researchers from Embrapa and the University of São Paulo identified a bacterium from Brazil’s Caatinga biome with potential to control buva, a herbicide-resistant weed responsible for significant soybean losses. Current damage is estimated at around US$1.0bn per year and could rise to US$1.8bn as resistance spreads. Laboratory trials show the microorganism produces natural metabolites capable of inhibiting weed germination, opening a pathway for a new bioherbicide adapted to Brazilian conditions. read more

Funding & M&A

Rural Ventures raises US$10m agtech fund backed by strategic farmers – Rural Ventures has raised a US$10m fund to invest in early-stage Brazilian agtech startups, with ticket sizes of around US$400k per company. The model prioritizes on-farm validation before scaling capital deployment, reducing adoption risk and accelerating product-market fit. Strategic investors include NovaAmerica, one of Brazil’s largest sugarcane mills, and Monte Alegre Feedlot, reinforcing the fund’s operator-led approach. read more

Solinftec raises R$189m via green CRA to strengthen balance sheet – Brazilian agtech startup, Solinftec, has issued a R$189m (US$38m) green agribusiness receivables certificate (CRA), split into two series maturing in 2030. One tranche pays 100% of the DI rate (interbank benchmark, around 14.3%) plus 2.65% per year, while the second is indexed to IPCA (headline inflation, around 4.3%) plus 10.7% per year. The CRAs are backed by agribusiness receivables (CDCAs), with proceeds earmarked for financing equipment, software, and AI-driven automation solutions focused on efficiency gains and emissions reduction in agriculture. read more

Private ag credit rebounds as Fiagros and CRAs regain momentum – After the 2024 credit shock, Brazil’s private agribusiness financing market showed signs of normalization in 2026. CRA issuance reached R$52.1 billion by November last year, up from R$42.8 billion in 2024, though still below the R$57.1 billion peak of 2023. Total outstanding private agro instruments, including CRAs, LCAs, CPRs, and Fiagros, climbed to R$1.41 trillion. Listed Fiagros delivered double-digit returns in 2025, with the top funds posting gains of over 40%, reinforcing a clearer market distinction between high-grade credit and stressed exposures heading into 2026. read more

Wallerius Seguros acquires 100% of Ativa Agro – Wallerius Seguros acquired full control of Ativa Agro, a brokerage specialized in rural insurance and agribusiness risk solutions. Founded ten years ago, Ativa Agro operates nationally and is headquartered in Santa Catarina, with a portfolio focused on crop, machinery, and rural property insurance. The acquisition strengthens Wallerius’ expansion strategy in agribusiness, adding sector-specific expertise and closer ties to producers. Financial terms were not disclosed. read more

Sementes São Francisco acquires Auma Sementes – Sementes São Francisco, a Goiás-based soybean seed company controlled by Pátria Investimentos, has acquired Auma Sementes, marking its entry into the Minas Gerais market. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Patos de Minas, Auma specializes in soybean seed multiplication and was founded by producer Cláudio Nasser, who has more than 40 years of experience in agribusiness. Following the transaction, Nasser remains a minority shareholder under a strategic partnership designed to ensure operational continuity and support a new phase of growth. read more

Macro & Markets

EU–Mercosur trade deal advances despite political resistance – The European Union provisionally approved the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, a deal expected to remove around €4 billion (US$4.6 billion) per year in tariffs once fully implemented. Mercosur countries currently face tariffs as high as 35% on vehicles, 28% on dairy products, and 27% on wines entering the EU. Trade between the two blocs reached €111 billion in 2024, split roughly evenly, with Mercosur exports concentrated in agricultural goods, minerals, pulp, and paper. France and Poland continue to oppose the agreement, citing pressure on European farmers, while final approval still requires a vote in the European Parliament, likely in the coming months. read more

Brazil fruit exports hit third straight record of US$1.45B in 2025 – Brazil’s fruit exports totaled US$1.45 billion in 2025, up 12% in value and 19.6% in volume year on year, marking the third consecutive annual record. Mango remained the top export at US$335 million, with volumes rising 12.6% to nearly 280,000 tons despite softer pricing in the U.S. market. Melon exports climbed 24.9% to US$231 million, lemons and limes reached US$199 million, grapes totaled US$158 million, and watermelon jumped 57.1% to US$115 million. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

As we kick off 2026, I would like to wish all my readers a very happy and successful New Year. Here’s to a successful year for everyone building, investing in, and operating across Brazil’s ag and climate tech ecosystem.

In AgTech developments this week, Typcal moved alternative proteins into industrial production with Latin America’s first large-scale mycelium fermentation plant, while NeoSilos and major seed players Scheffer, GDM, and TMG showed how AI, imaging, and controlled environments are shortening cycles and reducing subjectivity across post-harvest operations and breeding programs.

In Climate Tech, Campo Limpo closed the year with around US$100 million in revenue and announced new investment to expand recycling capacity, while Brazil registered a record 162 new bioinputs in 2025, pushing the total number of approved biological products close to 1,000.

On the funding and capital markets front, early signs of recovery are emerging after a difficult 18 months. Private rural credit is picking up again, with renewed interest in Fiagros and other structured agro instruments, a positive signal for agfintech startups operating across credit, insurance, and risk management. Against this backdrop, Brazilian insurtech Guarda raised fresh capital to scale parametric climate insurance, reflecting growing demand for faster and more transparent climate risk coverage.

In Macro & Markets, Brazil begins the year with several structural shifts in focus. The country overtook the United States as the world’s largest beef producer, agricultural exports surpassed US$1.2 trillion over the past decade, and farmland transactions accelerated despite tighter credit conditions. At the same time, trade and sustainability debates resurfaced, with China’s beef surcharge and Mato Grosso’s confirmation of Abiove’s exit from the Soy Moratorium adding new layers of uncertainty to global supply chains.

🧭 Table of Contents

AgTech

• Typcal Opens Latin America’s First Large-Scale Mycelium Factory

• NeoSilos Targets Automated Grain Classification with AI Cameras

• Scheffer, GDM and TMG Adopt New Light-Based Approach in Seed Breeding

Climate Tech

• Campo Limpo Posts Record Revenue and Expands Recycling Investment

• Brazil Sets Record With 162 New Bioinput Registrations in 2025

Funding & M&A

• Guarda Raises US$800k Pre-Seed to Scale Digital Climate Insurance

• Capital Markets Expect More Fiagros and Issuances in 2026

• Savencia Acquires Quata Alimentos to Expand Brazilian Dairy Portfolio

Macro & Markets

• Brazil Overtakes U.S. as World’s Largest Beef Producer

• Brazil’s Ag Exports Surpass US$1.2 Trillion Over the Past Decade

• Chinese Surcharge Could Lower Beef Prices in Brazil

• Mato Grosso Confirms Abiove’s Exit From the Soy Moratorium

• Brazil’s Farmland Market Heats Up in 2025

AgTech

Typcal Opens Latin America’s First Large-Scale Mycelium Factory – Typcal has inaugurated the region’s first industrial-scale mycelium fermentation facility, moving Brazil’s alternative protein sector into commercial production. The plant, located in Pinhais near Curitiba, was built following a R$10 million (around US$2 million) funding round backed by Brazilian investors and Belgian biotech accelerator Biotope. The facility is designed for scalable production of fresh and powdered mycelium-based ingredients, with initial commercial output expected in 2026 and early sales planned for Latin American and European markets. read more

NeoSilos Targets Automated Grain Classification with AI Cameras – NeoSilos is developing an AI-based system to automate grain quality classification, aiming to replace manual, visual inspection methods still used at Brazilian silos and warehouses. The solution combines computer vision cameras and artificial intelligence to evaluate attributes such as color, impurities, broken kernels, and defects during grain reception. Based in Curitiba, the startup has raised around US$800,000 through a mix of grants and equity investment, including backing from KPTL. NeoSilos is currently running pilot projects with grain storage operators, initially focused on soybeans and corn, and plans to integrate the technology into existing silo infrastructure. read more

Scheffer, GDM and TMG Adopt New Light-Based Approach in Seed Breeding – Scheffer, GDM and TMG, three major seed and grain producers, are applying advanced lighting systems to accelerate seed breeding cycles, according to AgFeed. The approach uses controlled light environments to shorten development timelines by allowing researchers to evaluate more plant generations per year, particularly in soybean breeding programs. The companies report that the technology supports faster genetic selection while maintaining field trials as a core validation step in the breeding process. read more

Climate Tech

Campo Limpo Posts Record Revenue and Expands Recycling Investment – Campo Limpo, Brazil’s agrochemical packaging recycling company, closed the year with revenue of around US$100 million and announced plans to invest approximately US$28 million in the expansion and modernization of its recycling operations. Managed by inpEV, the program operates a nationwide reverse logistics network for empty pesticide containers. Brazil currently recycles more than 90 percent of properly returned agrochemical packaging, one of the highest recovery rates globally for this category of waste. The new investment will be directed toward upgrading recycling units, expanding processing capacity, and improving logistics and traceability as return volumes continue to grow. read more

Brazil Sets Record With 162 New Bioinput Registrations in 2025 – Brazil recorded a historic high in bioinput approvals in 2025, with registrations granted for 162 new products, according to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture. The approvals cover biological, microbiological, and plant-extract-based inputs, reflecting the rapid expansion of biological solutions in crop protection and soil management. By the end of the year, the total number of registered bioinputs in Brazil reached 912, reinforcing the modernization of the country’s phytosanitary portfolio. The increase follows regulatory streamlining and growing adoption of bioinputs across major crops, as producers seek alternatives to conventional chemical products. read more

Funding & M&A

Guarda Raises US$800k Pre-Seed to Scale Digital Climate Insurance – Guarda, a Brazilian insurtech focused on parametric climate insurance for agriculture, raised around US$800,000 in a pre-seed round to expand its digital platform. The round was led by Randon Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Brazilian logistics and industrial group Randon, with participation from angel investors with backgrounds in agribusiness, insurance, and fintech. Investors include José Kfuri, former CEO of Marubeni Grãos Brasil; Rodrigo Botti, an executive at Lockton and former CFO of reinsurer IRB; Alan Chusid, founder of Spin Pay; and Johann von Sothen, co-founder of Solfácil. The capital will be used to validate the model at scale, with pilot coverage targeting up to 10,000 hectares in early 2026. read more

Capital Markets Expect More Fiagros and Issuances in 2026 – Brazil’s agribusiness capital markets are showing signs of recovery after a difficult 18-month period marked by defaults, restructurings, and weaker issuance. In 2025, private rural credit began to normalize, with renewed investor appetite for instruments such as Fiagros (listed agribusiness investment funds), CRAs (agribusiness receivables certificates), LCAs (bank-issued agribusiness savings notes), and CPRs (farm production contracts). CRA issuance reached around US$10.4 billion in 2025, while total outstanding private agro credit surpassed US$280 billion, according to industry data. Market participants expect this recovery to continue in 2026, supported by clearer risk differentiation, stabilizing margins, and regulatory improvements. The rebound is viewed as positive for agfintech startups, which increasingly rely on capital markets to scale credit, insurance, and on-farm financing solutions. read more

Savencia Acquires Quata Alimentos to Expand Brazilian Dairy Portfolio – Savencia Fromage & Dairy, the French group that owns the Polenghi brand, announced the acquisition of Quata Alimentos to strengthen its presence in value-added dairy categories. Quata operates in cheese and dairy ingredient production and will be integrated into Savencia’s existing industrial and commercial structure in Brazil. The transaction expands production capacity and brand reach, with a focus on higher-margin segments. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal remains subject to approval by Brazil’s antitrust authority, Cade. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil Overtakes U.S. as World’s Largest Beef Producer – Brazil became the world’s largest beef producer for the first time, overtaking the United States in 2025. Brazilian output reached around 12.3 million tons, while U.S. production declined to around 11.8 million tons, following herd reductions linked to drought, higher feed costs, and tighter margins. The shift reflects Brazil’s expanding cattle herd, productivity gains, and lower production costs. Brazil also strengthened its role in global trade, accounting for more than 25 percent of global beef exports, with China remaining its main destination. read more

Brazil’s Ag Exports Surpass US$1.2 Trillion Over the Past Decade – Brazilian agribusiness exports exceeded US$1.2 trillion over the past ten years, reflecting a structurally diversified export base anchored by a few dominant commodity complexes. The soybean complex remained the main driver, generating around US$446 billion over the period and accounting for more than one third of total agribusiness export revenue. Animal proteins ranked second, with beef, poultry, and pork contributing approximately US$202 billion. Forestry products, including pulp and timber, added around US$137 billion, while the sugar and ethanol complex generated roughly US$121 billion. Agribusiness now represents close to half of Brazil’s total exports, reinforcing its central role in the country’s trade balance. read more

Chinese Surcharge Could Lower Beef Prices in Brazil – China announced an import quota on Brazilian beef that is expected to reduce export volumes to Brazil’s largest market in 2026. Shipments above 1.1 million tonnes per year will be subject to a 55 percent surcharge, effectively discouraging exports beyond that threshold. In 2025, Brazil is estimated to have exported between 1.5 million and 1.7 million tons of beef to China, meaning a significant share of volumes could be affected. Analysts note that surplus product may be redirected to the domestic market, potentially easing prices paid to producers and at retail, depending on how long the measure remains in place and exporters’ ability to diversify destinations. read more

Mato Grosso Confirms Abiove’s Exit From the Soy Moratorium – Mato Grosso state authorities have confirmed that Oilseed industry association, Abiove, has withdrawn from the Soy Moratorium, a voluntary agreement restricting the purchase of soy grown on areas deforested after 2008. Abiove argues that the agreement no longer reflects current Brazilian environmental legislation and that compliance with the Forest Code should govern production. State authorities say the move restores legal certainty for producers, while critics warn of potential implications for access to deforestation-sensitive markets. read more

Brazil’s Farmland Market Heats Up in 2025 With Multi-Billion-Dollar Deals – Brazil’s farmland market recorded a sharp pickup in activity in 2025, with major transactions totaling around US$1.9 billion across 19 disclosed deals. The buyers were primarily family-controlled agribusiness groups, including those linked to the Cervi, Roquetto, Logemann and Maggi families, which have built large-scale grain and fiber operations over decades. Most transactions involved prime grain-producing land in Mato Grosso, Bahia and other Cerrado regions, with smaller allocations to forestry and cattle ranching. Among the largest moves, SLC Agrícola completed transactions worth approximately US$460 million, covering farmland acquisitions, leases and partial asset sales involving more than 100,000 hectares. Other notable deals included purchases exceeding 40,000 hectares and individual transactions surpassing 100,000 hectares. Despite higher land prices and tighter credit conditions, demand remained strong, largely driven by long-term strategic expansion rather than leveraged financial plays. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

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Summary

In AgTech news this week, Iara is expanding its subscription-based irrigation model across five Brazilian states and Argentina, while Neosilos advances grain grading with cameras and AI, supported by US$800K in prototype funding from Cocamar, Lar, Frísia and Inpasa.

In Climate Tech developments, Brazil and India advanced a cooperation agreement to apply Embrapa’s tropical dairy-management tools and genetic models in Indian herds. Meanwhile asset manager Tivio, backed by Bradesco and BV, launched a US$60M fund to restore 12,000 to 15,000 hectares of degraded farmland.

On the funding and M&A front, Ceres Investimentos drew acquisition interest from BTG Pactual after originating more than US$1.2B in ag assets. Braza Bank and Onda Finance introduced stablecoin payments for exporters handling up to US$2M per month, Wallerius Seguros entered agribusiness through the acquisition of Ativa Agro, Harmony Baby Nutrition raised US$6.2M and OCP detailed a US$13B global fertilizer strategy.

In broader market moves, China will decide in January whether to apply safeguard measures on beef imports, a ruling that could shape Brazil’s 2026 price outlook. The sector also faces a growing talent shortage, with gaps in machinery operation, livestock management, logistics and commercial roles becoming more acute in remote regions.

🧭 Table of Contents

AgTech

• Iara launches subscription-based irrigation model

• Neosilos automates grain classification with cameras and AI

Climate Tech

• Embrapa signs India partnership to advance tropical dairy genetics and R&D

• Tivio launches fund to convert degraded farmland

Funding and M&A

• Ceres Investimentos attracts BTG acquisition interest

• Braza Bank and Onda Finance partner to take stablecoin payments to the farm sector

• Wallerius Seguros acquires Ativa Agro to expand into agribusiness services

• Harmony raises US$6.2 million to build infant-formula research center

• OCP outlines US$13 billion global fertilizer investment strategy with relevance for Brazil

Macro & Markets

• China to decide on beef safeguard measures in January

• Agribusiness faces shortage of skilled professionals on and off the farm

AgTech

Iara launches subscription-based irrigation model – Founded two years ago by former Valmont executives Hiran Moreira and João Rebequi and Cogny’s Marcelo Godoy, Iara offers a subscription model that combines equipment rental and full-service irrigation management. The company has invested about US$4M to install 26 pivots across Goiás, Bahia, Pará, Piauí and Minas Gerais, plus a project in Argentina, covering 2,800 hectares. Iara plans to deploy another US$3M next year, reaching 40 pivots and nearly 4,000 irrigated hectares by late 2026. The model targets mid-sized farms that face high upfront costs and limited access to financing. read more

Neosilos automates grain classification with cameras and AI – NeoSilos has raised US$800K from public innovation agencies to build prototypes of its automated grain-classification system, which measures soy and corn quality using high-resolution cameras and AI. The solution aims to retire manual eyeballing and standardize grading across warehouses and grain buyers. Early adopters include Cocamar, Lar, Frísia and Inpasa, which are using the system to reduce disputes and speed up intake operations. The platform analyzes impurities, defects and moisture with accuracy above 90 percent, delivering results within minutes. read more

Climate Tech

Embrapa signs India partnership to advance tropical dairy genetics and R&D – Brazil and India signed a cooperation agreement to deploy Embrapa’s tropical dairy-farm management technologies in India. The partnership involves Indian groups Leads Agri Genetics, LeadsConnect and B.L. Kamdhenu Farms, and Brazilian partners Fazenda Floresta and DNAMARK. Embrapa will gain access to India’s genomic and phenotypic databases, helping improve prediction models and accelerate genetic gains in both countries. The initiative targets India’s low-yield herds, averaging 5 liters per day, and opens opportunities to export Brazilian genetics. read more

Tivio launches fund to convert degraded farmland – Asset manager Tivio, backed by Bradesco and Banco BV, has created a US$60M fund to buy degraded farmland in Brazil and restore it for productive agriculture. The vehicle will acquire 10 to 20 properties totaling 12,000 to 15,000 hectares, invest in soil recovery, infrastructure and technology, and then resell the farms after three to five years. Tíivio contributes management expertise while AGBI leads operational recovery. The strategy targets investors seeking exposure to farmland appreciation and regenerative agriculture, a segment expected to expand as Brazil accelerates land-use recovery programs. read more

M&A and Funding

Ceres Investimentos attracts BTG acquisition interest – BTG Pactual has requested CADE approval to buy up to 49.9 percent of Ceres Investimentos, a fintech-style asset manager focused on financing agricultural inputs. Since 2019, Ceres has originated more than US$1.2B in agro assets with default rates below 1 percent, expanding its client base from 23 to 382. Combined with BTG Asset Management’s operations, the bank’s agro vertical would reach a US$1.4B portfolio supported by over 190 specialists. BTG, which manages roughly US$230B in total assets, views Ceres as a key avenue for growth in ag finance. read more

Braza Bank and Onda Finance partner to bring stablecoins to rural Brazil – Onda Finance and Braza Bank are introducing stablecoin-based international payments for agribusiness, targeting farmers and exporters who face delays and high costs in cross-border transactions. Using the real-backed BBRL stablecoin, operations that once took days are now settled instantly. Early clients include producers moving up to US$2M per month, with expectations of surpassing US$40M monthly within six months. One importer in the Northeast shifted to stablecoins to guarantee delivery of more than 40 containers of seafood. read more

Wallerius Seguros acquires Ativa Agro to expand into agribusiness services – Wallerius Seguros, a brokerage based in Rio Grande do Sul, has acquired 100 percent of Ativa Agro, an insurance broker closely linked to one of Brazil’s major irrigation-pivot manufacturers. Following the acquisition, the operation will remain fully dedicated to agribusiness and will run under a new brand, Wallerius Agro Corretora de Seguros. read more

Harmony raises US$6.2 million to build infant-formula research center – Harmony Baby Nutrition has secured US$6.2M to establish Brazil’s first dedicated research center for infant formulas. The facility will develop products closer to human milk, addressing a long-standing gap in the national market. Located within the Senai complex in Belo Horizonte, the center will support clinical trials, pilot production and ingredient development, with a focus on plant-based and allergen-free formulations. read more

OCP outlines US$13 billion global fertilizer investment strategy with relevance for Brazil – Moroccan fertilizer giant OCP has announced a global US$13B investment plan centered on green ammonia and renewable energy, aiming to cut emissions across its fertilizer chain. Brazil, OCP’s largest market, remains central to the strategy through expanded blending capacity, tailored nutrient solutions and closer ties with local distributors. The company plans to scale production using green hydrogen powered by solar and wind, replacing fossil-based ammonia over time. read more

Macro & Markets

China to decide on beef safeguard measures in January – China, which buys half of Brazil’s beef exports, will decide at the end of January whether it will apply safeguard measures on imported beef. The ruling could reshape Brazil’s 2026 cattle market, since any restriction or slowdown in Chinese demand would pressure domestic prices. Analysts also point to tighter Brazilian cattle supply, higher feed and pasture-recovery costs and increased global competition from Australia and the United States, all of which add uncertainty to next year’s price outlook. read more

Agribusiness faces shortage of skilled professionals on and off the farm – A new survey by the FESA group shows that agribusiness companies are struggling to fill positions both in field operations and corporate roles. The biggest gaps appear in technical functions such as machinery operators, irrigation managers and livestock technicians, as well as in sales, logistics and agribusiness administration. Employers cite rapid technological adoption, expansion of production areas and competition with other industries as key drivers. The shortage is more acute in remote regions where relocation is difficult, and companies expect recruitment pressure to intensify in 2026 as digital agriculture and bioinputs expand. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.

Share

Summary

In AgTech news this week, digital collateral moved forward as SiloReal and partners completed a multi million dollar credit operation backed by ear tagged cattle. TRAG expanded satellite based insurance across eight states, TIM detailed its plan to reach 26 million connected hectares, and the federal government launched an app to help producers meet EU traceability requirements for agricultural exports.

In Climate Tech developments, Embrapa introduced biodegradable sachets that improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce losses, while Brazil’s biological inputs sector gained momentum with rising adoption across major crops. Researchers at Embrapa also identified a promising compound from Trichoderma koningiopsis that may support the next generation of biological crop protection products.

In M&A and Funding, NTT Data acquired SPRO to strengthen its agricultural software offering, and Raça Agro expanded its network through the purchase of Agroline. The Canadian fund PSP Investments joined the shareholder group at Citrosuco, 3tentos advanced a major industrial expansion in Pará, and Jalles Machado secured a 40 million USD credit line from BNDES.

In broader market moves, Embrapa outlined a long term strategy to reduce fertilizer import dependence by 2050, a shift that aims to stabilise costs and strengthen domestic supply. Debate also intensified around the future of the Soy Moratorium, a voluntary agreement that restricts purchases of soy grown on newly deforested land in the Amazon.

🧭 Table of Contents

AgTech

• Digital Ear Tags Back New Farm Credit Structure

• TRAG Launches Satellite and AI Based Farm Insurance

• TIM Targets 26 Million Hectares Connected by 2025

• Brazil Launches App to Meet New EU Export Requirements

Climate Tech

• Embrapa Develops Biodegradable Sachets to Reduce Fertilizer Losses

• Brazil Strengthens Global Leadership in Biological Inputs

• Embrapa Identifies New Substance for Next Generation Biologicals

M&A and Funding

• NTT Data Acquires Brazilian ERP Provider SPRO

• Raça Agro Acquires Livestock Input Retailer Agroline

• Canadian Pension Fund PSP Invests in Citrosuco

• 3tentos Expands in Pará With New Acquisition

• Jalles Secures 40 Million USD Credit Line From BNDES

Macro & Markets

• Brazil Targets Major Reduction in Fertilizer Imports by 2050

• Soy Moratorium Approaches Possible End After Two Decades

AgTech

Digital Ear Tags Back New Farm Credit Structure - A cattle producer in Rio Grande do Sul raised about 24 million USD through a rural credit note known in Brazil as a CPR, a financial instrument that allows farmers to obtain working capital in exchange for future product delivery. In this operation, digital ear tags were used as formal collateral for the first time. The model, led by SiloReal with Instabov, Belgo Arames and the FIDC Kanal, linked each of the 58 tracked animals directly to the credit note, improving transparency and reducing fraud risk. read more

TRAG Launches Satellite and AI Based Farm Insurance - TRAG, an insurtech from Franca in São Paulo state, created a new climate focused insurance product for farmers using satellite analytics and AI to assess crop performance and risk. The company has already issued policies protecting about 11 million USD in insured value and analysed 200 thousand hectares across eight states. The model aims to speed up underwriting, reduce disputes and expand access to insurance in a market where climate losses are rising and traditional evaluation still depends on manual field checks. read more

TIM Targets 26 Million Hectares Connected by 2025 - Telecom operator, TIM, plans to close 2025 with rural connectivity coverage reaching about 26 million hectares, according to its IoT and 5G director Alexandre Dal Forno. The company has expanded its dedicated agribusiness network to support machinery telemetry, sensors and farm management tools, although broadband availability remains uneven across Brazil. TIM reports strong uptake in grain, sugarcane and livestock regions and continues to build partnerships with equipment makers and cooperatives. read more

Brazil Launches App to Meet New EU Export Requirements - The federal government released a mobile app, called Agro Brasil + Sustentavel, to help producers comply with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which demands traceability of all agricultural products entering the bloc by 2027 (following recent delays). The tool allows farmers to register properties, upload documents, map boundaries and generate the geo location data required for export certification. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy and support small and medium producers that lack digital systems. The app integrates with existing national databases and will be updated as the regulation enters full effect. read more

Climate Tech

Embrapa Develops Biodegradable Sachets to Reduce Fertilizer Losses – Embrapa researchers created a biodegradable polymer sachet that controls the release of fertilizer in the soil and reduces both economic loss and environmental contamination. Traditional fertilizer can volatilize or leach before plants absorb the nutrients, but the new formulation slows the process and increases efficiency. Early field tests showed lower runoff, more consistent nutrient uptake and potential reduction in application frequency. read more

Brazil Strengthens Global Leadership in Biological Inputs – Brazil is consolidating its position as a global leader in biological inputs, driven by rising pest pressure, resistance to chemicals and high fertilizer costs. Expansion is expected to accelerate through 2035 as farmers adopt more biocontrol and biofertilizer solutions to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The market benefits from strong domestic research capacity and a wave of companies scaling production. Demand is highest in soy, corn and sugarcane regions where biologicals help maintain yields under climate stress. read more

Embrapa Identifies New Substance for Next Generation Biologicals – Embrapa researchers identified a new compound produced by the fungus Trichoderma koningiopsis with strong potential for use in biological products for crop protection. The substance showed activity against major plant pathogens and may enhance the effectiveness of existing biological control agents. Researchers used metabolomic and genomic tools to characterise the molecule and understand its mode of action, opening pathways for industrial development. read more

M&A and Funding

NTT Data Acquires Brazilian ERP Provider SPRO – NTT Data, a technology group valued at about 32 billion USD, acquired SPRO, a leading Brazilian provider of farm focused ERP systems. The deal strengthens the Japanese company’s presence in Brazil and supports its plan to expand agricultural solutions across Latin America. SPRO delivers enterprise tools that integrate field operations, inputs, logistics and compliance, and has become a key partner for major agribusiness clients. read more

Raça Agro Acquires Livestock Input Retailer Agroline – Raça Agro announced the acquisition of Agroline, a retailer of animal nutrition and veterinary inputs with units in 17 cities across the Central West and Northern regions. The deal strengthens Raça Agro’s distribution footprint and expands its presence to 32 locations, supporting its strategy to grow in the livestock segment. Agroline brings a diversified portfolio of supplements, minerals and animal health products that serve cattle, sheep and goat producers. read more

Canadian Pension Fund PSP Invests in Citrosuco – The Canadian public pension fund PSP Investments became a shareholder in Citrosuco, one of the world’s largest orange juice producers. The entry of PSP creates a three partner structure alongside Votorantim and Fischer, which previously held the business jointly. Citrosuco manages extensive citrus operations in Brazil and a global logistics network that serves the concentrated juice and NFC markets. PSP’s investment signals long term confidence in the sector despite disease pressure, rising production costs and supply volatility. read more

3tentos Expands in Pará With New Acquisition – Brazilian agribusiness company, 3tentos, has acquired an industrial plant in Pará state and announced plans to reach about 10 billion USD in revenue by 2032. The purchase anchors a project of roughly 220 million USD to produce corn ethanol and DDG in the region while opening new fronts for inputs, origination and logistics. The company aims to replicate its integrated model from the South and Midwest as it enters Brazil's Northern arc. read more

Jalles Secures 40 Million USD Credit Line From BNDES – Jalles received about 40 million USD through a special BNDES program created for companies affected by United States tariffs during the Trump administration. The financing offers short term relief after reduced exports and lower margins from organic sugar production. The company also faces lower cane yields, a smaller crush and rising costs. According to BNDES, the line supports firms that lost access to the United States market and need liquidity to maintain operations and investments. read more

Macro & Markets

Brazil Targets Major Reduction in Fertilizer Imports by 2050 – Brazil plans to cut fertilizer imports to 50 percent of domestic demand, estimated at 77 million tons, by 2050, according to Embrapa. Today about 90 percent of the fertilizers used in the country come from external sources, which exposes producers to high price volatility and geopolitical risk. The long term strategy includes expanding national production of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, scaling technologies for more efficient nutrient use and promoting biological alternatives. read more

Soy Moratorium Approaches Possible End After Two Decades – After nearly twenty years, the Soy Moratorium, a voluntary agreement that prohibits traders from buying soy grown on deforested land after July 2008 in the Amazon, is moving toward a possible phase out. Companies argue that overlapping rules and monitoring systems have reduced the pact’s relevance, while compliance costs have increased. Environmental groups warn that ending the moratorium could weaken safeguards at a sensitive moment for the Amazon. read more

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,

KFG

Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.