☘️Brazil’s AI Farming, Biogas Boom, Regenerative Ag, Fertilizer Investments, Corn Ethanol Surge 🚀
#21 BAR Brief
🍀Happy St. Patrick’s Day 🎩
Brazil’s agtech sector continues to advance with the launch of Calice’s NODES AI-powered platform that reduces costs and time in ag testing by simulating seed, fertilizer, and pesticide trials in diverse environments. Meanwhile, xFarm and Checkplant have merged to enhance digital agriculture across Latin America, bringing smart farm management tools to over 12 million hectares. On the financial side, Grão Direto secured $15 million in investment, marking a significant milestone for the digital grain trading platform.
Sustainability remains a major focus, with Embrapa estimating Brazilian agricultural carbon emissions at $11.54 per ton, encouraging sustainable practices. Bunge and Orígeo expanded their regenerative farming initiative to 345,000 hectares, aiming for 600,000 by next year. In São Paulo, Louis Dreyfus Company is constructing the world’s largest citrus waste-based biogas plant, set to begin operations in 2026. Additionally, Brazil strengthened global biodiversity conservation by delivering over 2,700 seed varieties to Norway’s Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
The industry is also seeing major investments and acquisitions. IHARA acquired Innova to expand its agrochemical portfolio, while EuroChem plans a R$200 million fertilizer plant in Mato Grosso to strengthen Brazil’s agricultural input supply chain. Meanwhile, Brazil’s corn ethanol production is expected to nearly double to 16 billion liters by 2032, ensuring energy security and diversification.
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In this week’s edition…
AgTech
🤖 Calice Launches AI-Driven Platform to Revolutionize Ag Testing
Climate
💲Brazilian Ag Carbon Emissions Priced at $11.54 per Ton
❄️Antarctic Fungus: A Natural Biopesticide Discovery
🌱Bunge and Orígeo Expand Regen Farming to 345K Hectares
🍊Brazil to Host World's Largest Biogas Plant Using Citrus Waste
🏆Brazilian Biodiversity Honored in Norway
⚗️Brazil Corn Ethanol Production Set to Double by 2032
Funding
💰 Grão Direto Raises $15 Million, Attracts Major Investors
M&A
🌿IHARA Acquires Innova to Expand Agrochemical Portfolio
🤝xFarm and Checkplant Merge to Enhance Digital Ag in Latam
Misc.
📈Enrollment in Ag and Environmental Courses Surges in Brazil
🌱The Rejuvenation of Brazilian Agriculture: A Global Model
🌎Brazil: Leading Global Exporter of Agricultural Commodities
💰EuroChem Plans R$200M Investment in Brazil Fertilizer Plant
AgTech
🤖 Calice Launches AI Platform to Revolutionize Ag Testing
Argentine Agtech company Calice has introduced NODES, a platform that integrates artificial intelligence, data science, and bioinformatics to optimize agricultural research. The tool reduces costs and time in field tests by enabling virtual evaluations of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides across various environments, accelerating the development of new agribusiness solutions. Operating in Brazil, Argentina, and the USA, Calice developed NODES to model genomic, phenotypic, and environmental data, allowing for virtual testing under diverse cultivation conditions. read more
Climate
💲 Brazilian Ag Carbon Emissions Priced at $11.54 per Ton
A study by Embrapa Territorial has estimated the cost of carbon emissions in Brazilian agriculture at $11.54 per ton of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e). This valuation was derived from a systematic review of international scientific literature spanning 2004 to 2024, which reported a wide range of carbon prices, from $2.60 to $157.50 per tCO₂. Key factors influencing these prices include a country's GDP, CO₂ emission levels, the agricultural sector's economic contribution, and nitrogen fertilizer use. The Brazilian estimate aligns closely with values observed in the international voluntary carbon market for agriculture. Assigning a financial cost to carbon emissions encourages the adoption of sustainable practices, such as reducing nitrogen fertilizer usage, thereby mitigating nitrous oxide emissions. read more
❄️ Antarctic Fungus: A Natural Biopesticide Discovery
Brazilian researchers from São Paulo State University's Bioscience Institute (IB-UNESP) have discovered that certain fungi isolated from Antarctic soil and marine sediment exhibit significant antibacterial properties. Led by Professors Daiane Cristina Sass, Lara Durães Sette, and Henrique Ferreira, the team identified 29 fungal strains effective against Xanthomonas citri, the bacterium responsible for citrus canker. Notably, one compound inhibited bacterial reproduction by up to 98%. These fungi, collected during Antarctic expeditions in 2013 and 2015 under the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR), thrive in extreme conditions, suggesting they produce unique bioactive molecules with potential applications in sustainable agriculture. read more
🌱 Bunge and Orígeo Expand Regen Farming to 345K Hectares
Bunge’s $20 million regenerative agriculture program with Orígeo has reached 345,000 hectares across Brazil, aiming for 600,000 hectares by next year. Initially covering soy, corn, and cotton in states like Mato Grosso and Matopiba, it now includes alternative crops like canola and castor beans. Farmers get free access to xFarm’s digital platform to adopt sustainable practices such as no-till farming and agroforestry. read more
🍊Brazil to Host World's Largest Biogas Plant Using Citrus Waste
Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has begun constructing the world's largest biogas plant using citrus effluents in Bebedouro, São Paulo. The facility will process approximately 400 cubic meters per hour of citrus waste, generating over 50,000 normal cubic meters of biogas daily. While the exact investment amount remains undisclosed, LDC describes it as a "substantial double-digit millions of dollars." The plant is expected to commence operations by mid-2026, aiming to reduce fossil fuel usage by 50% and decrease CO₂ emissions by more than 20% at LDC's juice processing operations. read more
🏆 Brazilian Biodiversity Honored in Norway
Following Brazil’s participation in the Paris International Agriculture Show, the country achieved a historic milestone in biodiversity preservation. Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, represented by Elcio Guimarães, proudly delivered 1,351 rice cultivars and 1,350 bean varieties to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. This secure gene bank, built inside a mountain with subzero temperatures, serves as a backup to protect agricultural biodiversity from climate change and disasters. The event is described as an “Oscar of Peace” for food security. Guimarães emphasized that this act ensures long-term seed preservation, reinforcing Brazil’s position as a global leader in genetic research and sustainable agriculture.
⚗️ Brazil Corn Ethanol Production Set to Double by 2032
Brazil's annual corn ethanol production is projected to almost double, reaching approximately 16 billion liters by 2032, according to a Citi investment bank report. In the 2023/24 season, production was about 6.3 billion liters, with expectations to increase to 9.5 billion liters in the current season. The country had 22 operational corn ethanol plants last year, with 12 additional facilities under construction and nine approved by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) for development. Corn ethanol offers advantages over sugarcane-based ethanol, such as longer storage periods and lower transportation costs, facilitating production in more remote areas. This expansion aims to stabilize Brazil's ethanol market, ensuring consistent supply, especially during the sugarcane off-season. read more
Funding Round
💰 Grão Direto Raises $15 Million, Attracts Major Investors
Grão Direto, a Brazilian digital grain trading platform, secured $15 million in a funding round led by Kaszek, Latin America's largest investment fund. New investors include Bradesco's venture capital arm, SLC Ventures, CME Ventures (the CVC arm of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange), and Endeavor Scale-Up Ventures. CEO Alexandre Borges highlighted the significance of this funding amid a challenging period for startups and venture capital. Approximately half of the funds will enhance technological solutions such as real-time pricing, negotiation, barter digitalization, and AI-based services. The remaining funds will expand financial products and services, including receivables anticipation, a grain-linked credit card, and credit tied to future contracts. Kaszek's involvement marks its first investment in agribusiness, bringing expertise from successful ventures like Nubank and Creditas. read more
M&A
🌿 IHARA Acquires Innova to Expand Agrochemical Portfolio
IHARA, a leading agrochemical company specializing in crop protection solutions, has acquired Innova, a Brazilian fertilizer manufacturer known for its innovative plant nutrition products. This strategic move allows IHARA to diversify its offerings by integrating Innova's fertilizer technologies, aiming to provide comprehensive solutions that enhance crop yield and sustainability. The acquisition aligns with IHARA's commitment to supporting Brazilian agriculture by offering a broader range of products that meet the evolving needs of farmers. read more
🤝 xFarm and Checkplant Merge to Enhance Digital Ag in Latam
Swiss agtech company xFarm Technologies has partnered with Brazil's Checkplant, developer of the Farmbox platform, to enhance digital agriculture across Latin America. This strategic alliance combines xFarm's expertise in small to medium-sized farms with Checkplant's strong presence among larger Brazilian farms, covering 50% of the nation's cotton and 11% of its soybean acreage. Together, they aim to serve over 12 million hectares globally, offering tools like IoT sensors, smart irrigation systems, and climate monitoring to boost efficiency and sustainability in farming. read more
Misc
📈 Enrollment in Brazil Ag and Environmental Courses Surges
Over the past decade, Brazil has experienced a significant increase in higher education enrollments related to agribusiness and environmental studies. Between 2013 and 2023, enrollment in these fields grew by 26%, contrasting with a 29.1% decline in other areas. This growth was more pronounced in private institutions, which saw a 43.2% rise, while public institutions experienced a 12.5% increase. The agribusiness sector's economic importance and the demand for sustainable solutions have driven this trend. Notably, graduates in these disciplines earn, on average, 9.4% more than those in other fields. Additionally, their employment rate is 15% higher compared to graduates from other areas. read more
🌱 The Rejuvenation of Brazilian Agriculture: A Global Model
Brazil's agricultural sector is experiencing a significant rejuvenation, with the average age of farmers now at 46, compared to 58 in the U.S. and 62 in the EU. This shift is driven by young producers embracing technology and innovation, transforming farming into a dynamic and attractive profession. These tech-savvy farmers act as technology managers, leveraging cutting-edge tools to enhance productivity and sustainability. This generational renewal positions Brazil not only as a leading food exporter but also as a model for integrating youth into agriculture, ensuring global food security and setting a precedent for other nations. read more
🌎 Brazil Leads Global Exporter of Agricultural Commodities
Brazil has solidified its position as the world's foremost exporter of agricultural commodities. The country leads in the export of products such as soybeans, beef, chicken, and orange juice. In the 2024/25 season, Brazil is projected to harvest a record 167.4 million tons of soybeans, marking a 13.3% increase over the previous season. This surge in production underscores Brazil's pivotal role in global food security and its capacity to meet the rising demand for essential agricultural goods. read more
💰 EuroChem Plans R$200M Investment in Brazil Fertilizer Plant
EuroChem, a leading global fertilizer producer, intends to invest R$200 million in Brazil by 2025. The company is evaluating establishing a fertilizer production facility in Mato Grosso, a key agricultural state, to strengthen its presence in the Brazilian market and support local farmers. This follows the recent inauguration of a phosphate fertilizer plant in Serra do Salitre, Minas Gerais, with a capacity of 1 million metric tons per year. The Mato Grosso plant would further enhance domestic fertilizer production, reducing reliance on imports and improving supply chain efficiency. read more
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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. All views, opinions, and commentary expressed are strictly his own.