Biotrop projects to reach nearly BRL1 billion, become one of the world's largest bio-input companies

Biotrop is expected to reach BRL930 million in revenue in 2024, representing a 50% growth compared to the BRL618 million generated last year. 

These plans come after selling the company's control to the Belgian group Biobest for BRL2.8 billion.

Antonio Carlos Zem, CEO of Biotrop revealed that the group's plans involve building a global giant in biological inputs and entering the ranking of Brazil’s top ten crop protection companies. To achieve this goal, Biobest created the holding company BioFirst, which will house four divisions, with the Belgian headquarters focusing on macrobiologicals.

Biotrop will focus on microbiologicals, while the American company Bioworks will focus on fungi. Plant Products will be the distribution division based in Canada. The plans are ambitious and come at a time of difficulties for the inputs sector in the Brazilian market.

Contrary to the "fear," Biotrop expanded its sales and technical assistance team to 270 people in the field. The aim is to position itself closer to farmers beginning to use biological products.

Zem projects that the revenue of chemical companies will remain "somewhat stagnant" because the trend is for prices to fall with the entry of more post-patent products. In his view, launching a selective bioherbicide will be a big deal in the coming years, which is why his company is pursuing three different research fronts. (US$1 = BRL5.26)

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)