Tarpon acquires Agrivalle for R$160 million, the biggest ever investment in biological sector in Brazil

Tarpon Investimentosrecently acquired a majority stake in Brazilian Agrivalle through an initial investment for R$160 million (~US$30 million). 

The agritech, which develops bio-based goods for growers, experienced some internal reshuffling as a result of the investment. A Board of Directors with reps from both companies will be forged. Likewise, Antonio Maia was named its new CEO.

Agrivalle does its homework, says Tarpon

When it comes to making the best products possible, this agritech takes innovation seriously. It’s also what wowed the Tarpon team.

“It is the only company with a presence in the entire universe of bio-inputs, research & development (R&D) and product registration,” says Marcelo Lima, Partner at Tarpon.

Consequently, it comes as no surprise that in the company’s new phase, five percent of annual revenue will go towards R&D.

Biofertilizers versus chemical fertilizers

So what’s the difference between your “normal” fertilizer and what Agrivalle offers? The former contains chemicals that act directly on the soil and plant. 

Meanwhile, biofertilizers use living organisms (such as bacteria or fungi) that interact with the environment and then help the plant naturally produce the nutrients it needs.

Which is better? That depends on your budget and views regarding sustainability.

Chemical fertilizers have long been used by smaller farmers, and bad habits die hard. Likewise, the artificial product is less costly than the natural stuff.

Despite the price tag, biofertilizer has its own advantages.

Sustainability in agriculture

A study showed that plants grown with biofertilizer experienced higher yields than their chemically-enhanced counterparts.

Furthermore, market research suggests that the biofertilizer market is set to reach US$3.8 billion by 2025 at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 11.2 percent from 2019. 

Factors feeding this growth include rising demand in organic food, as well as concerns regarding the negative impact chemical fertilizers have on the environment.

Moreover, people are reevaluating their eating habits and shifting towards plant-based alternatives. This bodes well for cows and chickens but puts more pressure on growers and the ecosystem.