ADAMA's global CEO visits Brazil, consolidating strategic partnerships in national agribusiness

Steve Hawkins, Global CEO of ADAMA, makes his second official visit to Brazil after taking office in May 2023, highlighting the country's crucial importance to the company's global operations.

Accompanied by Romeu Stanguerlin, Senior Vice President for Latin America and CEO of ADAMA in Brazil, and the ADAMA global leadership team, Hawkins completed an intense schedule in the states of Mato Grosso, São Paulo and Paraná at the end of last month. The agenda included meetings with local leaders, sugarcane, soybean, cotton producers, large distributors and cooperatives.

The visit comes when Brazil and Latin America consolidate their position as global agricultural powers. Brazil, the world leader in soybean production, is responsible for around 35% of global output, with an estimated harvest of 155.296 million tons for 2023/2024, according to data from Conab (National Supply Company). 

Latin America, as a whole, contributes 54% of global soybean production, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, Brazil is the third largest corn producer in the world, with a projected production of 111.64 million tons, according to the most recent data from Conab for the current harvest, and has consolidated itself as the world's largest exporter of cereal in 2023.

″These numbers exemplify why Brazil, and Latin America more broadly, is a priority for ADAMA, representing approximately 30% of our global operations,″ said Hawkins. ″I have been particularly impressed by the dedication and resilience of Brazilian farmers, who readily embrace innovations that deliver tangible value and benefits. ADAMA Brazil’s innovative formulation technologies directly address these needs.″

As part of the strategic visit, Elad Shabtai, ADAMA’s Executive Vice President of Formulation and Supply, accompanied by Ana Colla, Director of Operations in Brazil, made a technical visit to the company’s unit in Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul, which produces active ingredients for fungicides for the soybean and cotton markets. 

The visit aimed to demonstrate both the company’s continued support on a global scale to employees who experienced problems during the Taquari River flood, a result of the climate disaster that hit the state, and to highlight ADAMA’s commitment to strengthening its local operations and improving its supply chain to meet the growing demands of the Brazilian market.

During the week of the visit, the executive delegation interacted directly with producers and cooperatives from different states. ″Our visit aimed to gain a deeper understanding of our customers’ businesses and reiterate our commitment to continued investment in the country,″ Hawkins highlighted.

The choice of Mato Grosso as part of the itinerary was not by chance. The state, responsible for around 30% of Brazil's soybean production, represents the dynamism and strength of Brazilian agribusiness. 

"We need to be close to the production centers and decision-makers shaping the future of agriculture in Brazil, such as Mato Grosso, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul. They are important regions in producing soybeans, corn and cotton," Romeu Stanguerlin emphasized.