Brazil: bioinputs boom in agribusiness should end the harvest with a 70% increase

With a higher global growth rate, bioinputs in agro should end the 2022/23 harvest at a 70% high, with R$5.6 billion (US$1.12 billion), compared to the previous cycle.

The estimate is from CropLife Brasil, published by Reuters news agency.

The increase is sustained by factors such as the large-scale adoption of bioinputs by soybean, corn, sugarcane, and cotton producers, something not seen in other countries, according to CropLife Brasil.

This association combines biotechnology, seed, chemical, and biological pesticide companies.

According to CropLife, the bioinputs market tripled in Brazil in 2021/22 compared to last year’s crop.

The study showed a jump of 219% compared to the previous cycle, to R$3.3 billion (amount paid by producers).

“We are talking about an innovative industry, which offers countless benefits,” said Amalia Borsari, director of Biologicals at CropLief.

“Biodefensives are an alternative that, while delivering efficient pest control, can act synergistically with other chemicals and still favor the environment.”

SOME FIGURES ON THE BIOINPUTS MARKET IN BRAZIL

Despite strong growth, the bioinputs market estimated for the current crop (2022/23) represents only about 10% of that of defensive chemicals (in 2021/22).

But these also include herbicides – a category that does not exist in biologicals – which are representative of agrochemicals, with up to 40% of sales in the sector.

The average rate of adoption of biological control rose from 17% in 2019/20 to 28% in 2021/22, concerning the total area planted with crops in the country, estimated in total at 85.7 million hectares, according to the survey that heard more than 1,900 farmers in eight states.

According to the survey, the main reasons producers resort to biodegradable products are the efficiency in controlling pests and diseases (29%) and the product’s durability or performance time (25%).

With information from Revista Oeste