ADAMA's Marketing Director talks about pesticide market in Brazil

Alexandre Pires is an agronomist who graduated from the Federal University of Goiás. With over 20 years of experience in the agribusiness sector, he has worked in sales in all regions of Brazil. Today, he holds the position of Marketing Director at ADAMA.

ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd. is one of the world's leading crop protection companies. Our goal is to ensure simplicity in agriculture, by offering farmers products and services that simplify their lives and help them grow. With one of the most complete and diverse portfolios in the industry, we offer versatile and high quality products. Our team of 7,000 employees serves farmers in more than 100 countries, providing solutions for controlling weeds, pests and diseases, in addition to improving profitability and agricultural productivity.

1. ADAMA is one of the largest crop protection companies in the world, capable of serving diverse cultures through its product portfolio. Which cultures are currently part of the company's core strategy? What is its plan to strengthen its portfolio to include other cultures and how can this be done?

ADAMA, a member of one of the world’s largest agribusiness holding companies, aims to create simplicity in agriculture, by offering farmers the most diverse cultures, products and services that will simplify their lives and help them grow. With one of the most complete and diverse portfolios on the market, we have differentiated and high quality products for all cultures.

Our Israeli background enabled us to access digital technologies developed for agriculture. Our focus is not only the creation of new active ingredients, but also to create smart combinations made with those already on the market, to ensure consistent results in different agricultural cultures.

Among the most relevant crops for ADAMA are soy, cotton, horticulture, sugar cane, wheat, coffee and corn. The company has been providing market solutions to these cultures and has an extensive portfolio designed and developed for them.

The most recent example is an insecticide that is in the registration phase whose main target is caterpillars, such as Chrysodexis includens, Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa armigera. The launch of the product will be global and it is intended to protect soy, cotton and coffee plantations. When we talk about innovation, we also highlight the example of the fungicide, Cronnos, launched in 2018 and already recognized by Embrapa's Anti-Rust Consortium as the most effective product in controlling Asian Rust.

Regardless of culture, we are also focusing on the research and development of low toxicity products and so-called digital agriculture. Increasingly, the sustainable use of pesticides is something that everyone desires, as well as correct handling and using only what is necessary, and this is our path.

2. The year 2019 saw a record number of records released by MAPA, which are mainly equivalent products. Has ADAMA benefited from this movement? Do you think that it is possible to improve the product release process, especially for new compounds?

The main beneficiary when we talk about newly-registered pesticides is the farmer. After all, this work gives them access to the most modern, effective and less toxic technologies. In fact, the entire production chain benefits, even the final consumer.

ADAMA has, therefore, been carrying out constant work, adding to the years of research and development of new solutions that enable farmers to solve their production challenges with modern products within legal standards, while strictly following one of the most demanding product record systems in the world.

As for the product release process, it continues to take between six and eight years to complete, which ensures greater security for the entire chain, especially for the agrochemical industry, since it guarantees the effectiveness of products.

3. The price of Chinese pesticides has been falling for months with increased production and reduced global demand. Can the coronavirus situation impact product availability? Can ADAMA's operation in Israel also reduce this impact?

So far, this impact has yet to be felt in terms of product supply. ADAMA has a combination of different sources of our active ingredients, which gives us a secure supply of raw materials needed to manufacture our products.

4. In 2020, ChemChina, which has a stake in ADAMA, and Sinochem consolidated their agricultural assets into a new holding company, Syngenta Group. What does this merger mean for ADAMA in Brazil?

With the incorporation of the holding company, which is not the merger of companies, ADAMA became a distinct member of this newly formed leader through the current participation of ChemChina. ADAMA will continue to be based in Israel and remain on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

With this robustness, ADAMA continues to operate independently, maintaining its respective brands, culture and strategy, with the aim of encouraging business with its partners in Brazil and worldwide. ADAMA is at the best moment in its history and remains confident in its growth.

5. In general, how was 2019 and what are the company’s prospects and launches for 2020?

In general, our results were very positive and we achieved all our goals. We have grown in volume and business quality.

For 2020, the outlook is optimistic, and we predict positive scenarios in terms of our major agricultural commodities and the profitability of producers.

As for ADAMA, our planning foresees another year of consistent growth, with the launch of two new products.