Market insights on Brazilian agriculture

Latin America stands out globally because of its high production potential in the agricultural sector. It is widely recognized that the territory holds a position of great importance as a food provider in the world market. The expansion of agricultural frontiers in the region was mainly driven by rising global demand for food and biofuels, which in turn is the result of population growth and changes in eating habits, spurring Latin America to become the fastest growing market for pesticides. As we know, the use of pesticides is very closely linked to problems with plant structure and the occurrence of disease. This series of articles offer a brief introduction to current market conditions, the main crops being produced, and the pests commonly seen in select Latin American countries, allowing readers to explore the options presented by this huge potential market.

Brazil is the world’s largest consumer of agricultural pesticides. The Brazilian pesticide market is estimated to be worth US $8.5 billion, according to the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association, second only to the United States. Although Brazil has only the fourth largest crop plantation area in the world, after India, China, and the United States, since 2011, it has become the world’s largest agrochemical market. Undoubtedly, it is also the most important agrochemical market in Latin America. Brazil and Argentina alone account for more than 70% of the regional agrochemical market.

With the development of Brazilian agriculture, the market related to crop protection (insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, herbicides, and seed treatment) and biotechnology (conventional and transgenic seeds) has grown significantly, increasing interest in Brazil among multinationals in this sector.

The following table shows the main crops (by area) and corresponding pests/diseases/weeds in the Brazilian market:



Nortox S/A, the Brazilian company with the largest share of national capital in the sector of agrochemicals, notes that “Brazilian agriculture has undergone transformations in various spheres so far. We are currently experiencing some difficulties related to the national economic crisis, the high prices of agricultural inputs, and unfavorable weather, all of which are obstacles for Brazilian farmers this year.”