Forest Robots, Rural Connectivity, AI Corn, Lab Milk, Solar Farms, Biofuel Rules, Beef Exports, Global Winery
#13 BAR Brief
Welcome to this week’s BAR Brief, the Brazil AgTech Report that provides key news and insights into Brazil's agrifood and climate tech ecosystems.
In this week’s edition…
AgriFood Tech
🤖 AutoAgroMachines Seeks $142M for Forest Robots🌳
📡 Connectivity Investments Boost Rural Brazil 🚜
📶Bayer Bets on AI to Boost Brazil Corn Productivity🌽
🥛Future Cow Producing Lab-Made Milk for B2B 🌱
Climate Tech
🌞 Solar Energy Powers 70% of Seara's Farms in Brazil🌱
💰 New Biofuel Rules To Benefit Sugarcane Farmers 📜
🌱 Raízen Secures $167M for 2nd Generation Ethanol Plant ⚡
🌾 Soy Moratorium Faces Legal Test in Brazil's Supreme Court ⚖️
Funding Rounds
💰 Promip Raises $3.33M to Scale Biological Pesticides Production 🐛
M&A
🌱 Syngenta's Synap Transfers 18 Ag Retail Units to Olfar Agro 💼
🥩 Ramax Takes Over Bon-Mart to Boost Beef Exports to China 🚢
🍇 Miolo Expands Globally with Argentina's Renacer Winery 🍷
Jobs
👔 Country Manager – Beeflow 🐝
📊 Startup Founder/CoFounder – Antler 🔺
AgriFood Tech
🤖 AutoAgroMachines Seeks $142M for Forest Robots🌳
Brazilian startup AutoAgroMachines is in advanced talks to raise $142 million from a single investor to scale the production of intelligent agricultural machines for the forestry sector. The funds will be used over four years to build a dedicated factory and invest approximately $33.3 million in research and development. The company aims to capture 2.5% of the tree planting and replanting market, projecting sales of 11,000 to 14,000 machines and revenues up to $1 billion over the next decade. Currently, two prototypes are being tested by major industry players like Klabin, Suzano, and Bracell. 🌿read more
📡 Connectivity Investments Boost Rural Brazil 🚜
Brazil is accelerating investments in rural connectivity, with 4G and 5G networks expanding rapidly to meet the demands of the country’s agribusiness sector. In 2024 alone, over US$330 million was allocated to connectivity projects aimed at improving internet access in farming regions. Telecom giants like TIM Brasil and Claro are leading the charge, deploying infrastructure to cover previously underserved areas. TIM has committed to delivering 4G to 5,000 rural communities by 2025, while Claro is focusing on smart farming solutions powered by 5G.🌱read more
📶Bayer Bets on AI to Boost Brazil Corn Productivity🌽
Bayer is leveraging AI to boost farm productivity in Brazil with its Valora tool, providing precise seed recommendations for hybrid corn planting based on satellite imagery. Since its debut in 2022, Valora has been adopted by over 1,000 clients, covering 1.2 million acres. On average, farms using Valora have seen a yield increase of 4 bags of corn per 100 acres compared to traditional methods. This initiative is part of Bayer's $7 billion global investment in R&D over three years. Brazil is the world’s second-largest exporter of corn, behind the US.🌱read more
🥛Future Cow Producing Lab-Made Milk for B2B 🌱
Future Cow, an AgTech startup based in Sao Paulo, has pioneered a new lab-based process to produce milk. Unlike plant-based alternatives, this milk is made using precision fermentation to replicate the exact proteins found in traditional cow’s milk, such as casein and whey. This innovative process ensures the final product retains the same taste, texture, and nutritional profile as conventional dairy, making it indistinguishable in food applications like cheese and yogurt. Future Cow operates on a B2B business model, supplying its lab-made milk to food manufacturers rather than targeting consumers directly.🚀 read more
Climate Tech
🌞 Solar Energy Powers 70% of Seara's Farms in Brazil🌱
Seara, a JBS company, ended 2024 with 70% of its poultry farms powered by solar energy, a significant leap from just 5.61% in 2019—a remarkable 1,149% increase in five years. The company's solar energy production reached 205.18 million kWh in 2024, enough to supply a city of 90,000 residents for an entire year. The solar-powered farms span eight states and the Federal District, with São Paulo leading at 77% adoption and Santa Catarina following closely at 73%. Seara incentivizes its partners with a sustainability bonus program, encouraging renewable energy adoption alongside other infrastructure and procedural upgrades.🌿read more
💰 New Biofuel Rules To Benefit Sugarcane Farmers 📜
Brazil’s President Lula has approved new regulations ensuring sugarcane producers can now earn revenue from Decarbonization Credits (CBios), which were previously exclusive to ethanol plants. This change benefits independent raw material suppliers within the biofuel supply chain. RenovaBio, Brazil’s national biofuels policy, was launched to meet the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by incentivizing the production and use of renewable fuels through the trading of CBios. The new rules also introduce stricter penalties for fuel distributors failing to meet decarbonization targets, classifying non-compliance as an environmental crime. Sanctions include fines, suspension of fuel sales, and possible loss of operating licenses.🌿read more
🌱 Raízen Secures $167M for 2nd Generation Ethanol Plant ⚡
Brazil’s national development bank, BNDES, has approved a $170 million loan to Raizen, a joint venture between Shell and Cosan, to build a second-generation ethanol (E2G) plant in Andradina, São Paulo. The facility will have the capacity to produce 82 million liters of ethanol per year using sugarcane residue as feedstock. This marks Raízen’s fourth E2G plant, reinforcing its leadership in bioenergy innovation. The technology maximizes resource efficiency by converting biomass that would otherwise be wasted into renewable fuel. Raizen is set to increase its annual E2G production to over 300 million liters by 2027, positioning itself as a key player in the global biofuels market. 🌿read more
🌾 Soy Moratorium Faces Legal Test in Brazil's Supreme Court ⚖️
Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) is set to rule on a controversial Mato Grosso law that removes tax benefits from grain traders participating in the Soy Moratorium, a voluntary agreement that prohibits the purchase of soybeans grown on land deforested after 2008. The Mato Grosso law, initially scheduled to take effect in January 2025, was temporarily blocked by the STF and a final decision will be made between February 14 and 21. Mato Grosso farm group Aprosoja has labeled the moratorium a "collective boycott," while traders association Abiove defends it as important for Brazil’s image as a sustainable soybean producer.🌱read more
Funding Rounds
💰 Promip Raises $3.33M to Scale Biological Pesticides🐛
Promip, a Sao Paulo-based AgTech startup specializing in biological solutions, has raised $3.33 million from a federal innovation fund (Finep), managed by Angra Partners, to scale the production of its innovative baculovirus-based pesticide. The company plans to allocate 80% of the capital to expanding production capacity and R&D efforts. This funding values Promip at approximately $12 million, with Angra Partners capturing around 28% of the company. Promip plans to establish the world's largest virus production platform for tropical agriculture, offering sustainable pest control solutions for crops like corn, tomatoes, and potatoes. 🧪read more
M&A Deals
🌱 Syngenta's Synap Transfers 18 Retail Units to Olfar Agro 💼
Synap, Syngenta's retail holding, has announced the “transfer” of 18 agricultural input retail units to Olfar Agro, a Brazilian conglomerate known for its grain processing and biodiesel production. The deal includes stores in Rio Grande do Sul and Goiás states, with the units focusing on distributing Syngenta products alongside other brands. The agreement involves all facilities, vehicles, and approximately 150 employees, representing a significant reorganization of Synap’s operations. The deal was described as a blend of leasing and licensing, with the exact financial terms undisclosed. I’m calling it an acquisition as it is subject to approval by Brazil’s antitrust authority (Cade). 📊read more
🥩 Ramax Takes Over Bon-Mart to Boost Beef Exports🚢
Ramax, a leading Brazilian beef exporter specializing in digital distribution and global markets, has “partnered” with Bon-Mart, a traditional meatpacking plant in Sao Paulo state, to shift its focus from domestic sales to exports, particularly China. The move aims to grow Bon-Mart’s export share from 10% to 80%, boosting revenue to $200 million by 2025. Ramax will invest $3.33 million to enhance operations, increasing daily slaughter capacity and optimizing freezing and deboning processes. Ramax expects revenue to rise from $333 million in 2024 to $533 million in 2025, with 85% of its exports going to China. 🌿read more
🍇 Miolo Expands Globally with Argentina's Renacer Winery 🍷
The Brazilian winery Miolo, based in Vale dos Vinhedos, Rio Grande do Sul, has acquired Bodega Renacer in Mendoza, Argentina, for an undisclosed amount thought to be in the region of $10 million. Renacer, founded in 2003, includes 30 hectares of premium vineyard specializing in Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay and is exported to over 40 countries. Miolo, Brazil’s largest wine exporter, produces 12 million liters annually and now operates in five different locations. ✨read more
Jobs
👔 Country Manager – Beeflow 🐝
📍 Location: São Paulo
💼 Full Time, Hybrid Role ✨apply
📊 Startup Founder/CoFounder – Antler 🔺
📍 Location: São Paulo
💼 Full Time, On-Site ✨apply
If you are a Brazilian AgriFood or Climate Tech startup with a job opening, feel free to get in touch to post it on here.
Thanks for reading!
KFG