Brazil agchem sales jumped by 18% in 2013‏

Brazil’s agrochemical sales jumped by 18% to US$11.454 billion in 2013, the growth was driven by the expansion of the planted area and especially to the necessity to combat new pests in the field, according to Valdemar Fischer, President of the Brazilian Crop Protection Industry Union (Sindiveg).

Insecticides were the most sold products among the pesticides segment in 2013. In 2012, these agrochemicals shared the market with fungicides and herbicides. The sales perspectives in 2014 also show positive signals. Prices continue showing good remuneration to the producers, who would be more capitalized and willing to invest.

The total sales of agrochemicals, the share of insecticides increased from 37% in 2012 to 40% in 2013, reaching US$4.554 billion. The market of herbicides increased 19% to US$3.739 billion, and fungicides jumped 5% to US$2.592 billion. Acaricides and other products rose 18% and 13% to US$ 119 million and US$ 450 million, respectively.

By States, the leaders on technology application in 2013 were Mato Grosso, São Paulo, and Paraná with US$ 2.5 billion, US$ 1.6 billion, and US$ 1.355 billion respectively.

In 2012, the agricultural sector had already registered a record harvest, with 185 million tons of grains, according to data from Brazil's National Supply company(Conab). According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the production grew even more in 2013 to 188.2 million tons. For the executive of Sindiveg, the crop growth, year by year, is directly linked to the application of new technologies in the field and the correct management of crops.

For the year of 2014, Sindiveg projects a growth of 6% to 9% of the agrochemicals market. The main reasons for the optimistic expectation are an increase of 3% to 5% of planted area, plus the intensive use of cutting-edge technologies