Brazil AgTech Report: Bio Bets, Fintech Feedlot, CO₂ Cuts, Fiber Farms, Dairy Digital
#36 BAR Brief
Welcome to this week’s Brazil AgTech Report. Curated news from the frontline of Brazil’s Agri-Climate Tech ecosystem
Summary
It’s been a busy week for Brazil’s agtech sector, with climate tech gaining momentum, the rural lobby clashing with government policy, and early signs of a startup funding rebound. Symbiomics raised a Series A round led by Corteva to expand its microbial ag platform, while Future Cow closed a near US$1 million round to digitize dairy management.
On the fintech front, Finpec doubles revenue by connecting feedlots with renewed capital market appetite while legacy players like Syngenta chase the “Nubank of agro” to unify input sales and embedded finance.
There was also lots of Climate tech relevant news. Brazil raised its ethanol and biodiesel blends, RenovaBio generated 147M tons of avoided CO₂ emissions, Carbonext and Naturall Carbon launch regenerative ag credit pilots while Bsafe Biotech is raising a seed round.
Digital transformation is extending beyond apps, like the Minas Gerais farmer wiring fiber to 6000+ properties. Meanwhile, Sombrero’s parametric insurance continues to scale, and blockchain pilots for traceability are gaining attention across soy, coffee, and livestock chains.
But not all signals are bullish. The abrupt cut to Brazil’s rural insurance program raised concerns as planting season nears. Still, ag GDP is set to hit a 22-year high and rural labor is at record levels, proof that Brazil’s farm economy remains the country’s growth engine.
🧭 Table of Contents
AgTech
☂️ Sombrero doubles parametric insurance contracts
🌐 Skymail connects 6000+ rural properties
🔗 Blockchain takes root in Brazil’s ag sector
Climate Tech
🌡️ Climate gains ground alongside agfintech
🌍 RenovaBio cuts 147M tons of CO₂
⛽ Fuel mix rises to 30% ethanol, B15 biodiesel
🌱 Carbonext & Naturall Carbon launch regen ag platform
🌽 Corn ethanol now 3rd-largest corn consumer
🌍 FAO praises Brazil’s sustainability progress
Funding & Fintech
🧬 Symbiomics raises Series A led by Corteva
🐄 Future Cow raises close to US$1M to scale dairy platform
🧪 Bsafe Biotech raising seed round
🏦 Finpec doubles revenue by financing feedlots
🌍 Santander in $21M green FX financing for NKG Stockler
🧑🌾 Syngenta seeks 'Nubank of agro' model
Macro & Markets
⚠️ Gov’t slashes rural insurance program
🐄 JBS raises $285M in NYSE listing
🧪 Urea prices spike amid Middle East crisis
📈 Ag to hit 27.4% of GDP in 2025
🚆 Railway to link Southeast ports
👩🌾 Agribusiness workforce hits record 28.5M in Q1
🌱 AgTech
☂️ Sombrero doubles insurance contracts, sets sights abroad – Brazilian insurtech Sombrero has more than doubled its contracts over the past 12 months, offering parametric crop insurance that uses satellite data and rainfall thresholds to trigger automatic payouts. The model is gaining traction in areas where climate volatility and claim delays have fueled demand. read more
🌐 Skymail connects 6000+ farms – In Minas Gerais, farmer and entrepreneur José Carlos Ribeiro founded Skymail, a rural connectivity company that now brings broadband to over 6000 farms via fiber-optic internet. After struggling with poor signal on his own property, he built a network to serve surrounding producers—unlocking access to digital tools and smart farming platforms. With growing demand across the countryside, Skymail is targeting US$18 million in revenue this year as it scales to meet Brazil’s rising need for farm connectivity. read more
🔗 Blockchain pilots gain traction in Brazilian agriculture – A growing number of ag co-ops and startups, like AgroToken, are launching blockchain pilots to improve traceability and transparency across Brazil’s food system. According to a report from Investalk, the technology is being tested in soy, beef, and coffee value chains to automate audits, reduce fraud, and verify ESG claims. Applications range from smart contracts for input sales to immutable product histories for exporters. read more
🌎 Climate Tech
🌡️ Climate gains ground alongside agfintech – While agfintechs like Culttivo remain a strong presence at events like the World AgriTech South America summit, a growing number of Brazilian startups are now bringing climate-focused solutions to the stage. This year’s edition featured increased visibility for companies working on biologicals, carbon markets, and low-emission ag systems. Among them was B4A, which is developing nature-based carbon removal projects tied to agricultural practices. read more
🌍 RenovaBio offsets 147M tons of CO₂ since 2019 – Brazil’s national biofuels program RenovaBio has avoided more than 147 million tons of CO₂ emissions since launch, according to new government data. The initiative certifies low-carbon ethanol and biodiesel producers and enables them to sell CBIOs (carbon credits) to fuel distributors. With demand and market liquidity growing, RenovaBio remains Brazil’s largest formalized climate market—and a key driver of low-emission investment in sugarcane and corn ethanol. read more
⛽ Brazil to raise ethanol and biodiesel blends in August – Starting August 2025, Brazil will increase the ethanol blend in gasoline from 27% to 30%, and biodiesel from 13% to 15% (B15). The move aims to cut fossil fuel imports, boost demand for domestic biofuels, and reduce emissions. Ethanol producers estimate an additional 1.5 billion liters of demand annually. While praised by the sector, some distributors warn that adjustments to supply chains and fuel specs could present short-term challenges. read more
🌱 Carbonext & Naturall Carbon launch regen ag credit platform – Carbon credit developers Carbonext and Naturall Carbon have partnered to launch regenerative agriculture pilots in Brazil. Their joint platform will reward farmers for practices like no-till farming, cover cropping, and rotational grazing. The goal is to generate high-integrity, land-based carbon credits for corporate buyers. Pilot sites in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest are expected to launch in early 2025. read more
🌽 Corn ethanol now third-largest corn consumer in Brazil – Ethanol made from corn has overtaken pork as the third-largest user of Brazilian corn, behind poultry and cattle. In 2024, corn ethanol plants—mainly in Mato Grosso—used more than 18 million tons of grain. The shift is reshaping Brazil’s grain market, with implications for pricing, logistics, and the food-versus-fuel debate. Analysts see continued growth as new biorefineries come online. read more
🌍 FAO praises Brazil’s sustainability progress – FAO Deputy Director Beth Bechdol praised Brazil’s recent gains in agro-environmental performance, highlighting improvements in soil health, cattle traceability, and bioeconomy policy. During her visit last week, she noted that Brazil’s efforts are often underestimated internationally and said better communication of results could elevate the country’s position in global ag and climate discussions. read more
💳 Funding & Fintech
🧬 Symbiomics raises Series A led by Corteva – Brazilian biotech startup Symbiomics, a Yield Lab Latam portfolio company, has raised a Series A round led by Corteva Agriscience. While the amount was not disclosed, it marks Corteva’s first direct startup investment in Brazil. The startup, which develops microbial inputs to improve plant health and reduce chemical dependency, will use the funds to support research and expand its product suite. read more
🐄 Future Cow raises close to US$1M to scale dairy tech – Brazilian startup Future Cow raised close to US$1 million via equity crowdfunding to grow its dairy management platform. The system integrates herd control, milk quality, vet records, and traceability in a digital tool already used by more than 7,000 producers. The raise exceeded expectations and will be used to expand the team and accelerate adoption across Brazil’s dairy-producing regions. read more
🧪 Bsafe Biotech raising seed round to scale sustainable inputs – Piracicaba-based Bsafe Biotech is raising close to US$1 million in a seed round to bring biological pesticides and biofertilizers to market. The startup, headed by former AgTech Garage (bought by PWC) founder Jose Tome, is developing low-residue alternatives to chemical inputs, with two products awaiting MAPA registration. The raise will support lab work, pilot testing, and initial commercialization. read more
🏦 Finpec doubles revenue riding the cattle market boom – Agfintech Finpec has doubled its revenue over the past year by structuring credit deals for livestock producers, especially in Brazil’s booming feedlot segment. The startup connects Faria Lima investors with ranchers using cattle as collateral, offering tech-enabled financial structuring and securitization. With strong investor appetite and firm beef prices, Finpec is scaling operations and expanding its footprint in key cattle-producing regions. read more
🌍 Santander closes $21M green FX loan with NKG Stockler – Santander Brasil executed its first green foreign exchange loan in agriculture, providing US$21 million to coffee exporter NKG Stockler. The deal ties interest rates to environmental KPIs, including water usage and deforestation-free sourcing. Santander says the model could help scale ESG-aligned financing and attract global capital to Brazilian ag exporters. read more
🧑🌾 Syngenta launches Syde to become the 'Nubank of agro' – Agrochemical giant Syngenta has launched its own agfintech, Syde, to embed credit into its distribution network and simplify rural finance for farmers. The initiative aims to mirror the success of Nubank by offering small and mid-sized producers a seamless way to access loans, insurance, and ag inputs via a single digital platform. Brazil is serving as the pilot market for Syde, which will operate independently while leveraging Syngenta’s dealer and customer base to scale. read more
💼 Macro & Markets
⚠️ Government abruptly cuts US$120M from rural insurance program – The federal government has suspended US$120 million in funding for Brazil’s rural insurance subsidy program, cancelling the release of the remaining US$54 million for 2025. The move came without prior notice and drew sharp criticism from farm groups and sector leaders. The Agriculture Ministry said it was not consulted, and the cut lands just ahead of the next planting season. The decision could yet be reversed, given strong opposition from Brazil’s powerful farm lobby. read more
🐄 JBS raises $285M in NYSE debut – Meat giant JBS completed its long-awaited IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, raising US$285 million. The dual listing—JBS remains on the São Paulo exchange—aims to improve governance perception, lower capital costs, and expand its international investor base. It marks the first time a Brazilian meatpacker lists on the NYSE, signaling continued confidence in the global protein trade despite inflation and supply chain pressures. read more
🧪 Urea prices spike as conflict disrupts supply – The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has triggered a sharp spike in urea prices, paralyzing parts of Brazil’s fertilizer trade. Some importers have suspended purchases due to price volatility and shipping uncertainty. Analysts warn the spike could affect planting decisions for the second crop cycle and worsen input cost inflation if instability persists. read more
📈 Agro’s share of GDP to hit 22-year high – Brazil’s agribusiness GDP share is forecast to reach 27.4% in 2025, the highest level since 2003, according to CNA projections. Strong export performance, tech adoption, and favorable exchange rates are driving growth. The data underscores agriculture’s expanding role in Brazil’s economy and its resilience relative to other sectors. read more
🚆 New railway aims to connect Southeast ag ports – A proposed railway linking São Paulo’s agricultural interior with the ports of Santos and Açu promises a logistics breakthrough for the sector. The project, backed by public and private partners, seeks to cut transport costs and reduce overreliance on trucking. If delivered, it could become a critical export corridor for sugar, soy, and coffee. read more
👩🌾 Agribusiness workforce hits record 28.5M in Q1 – Brazil’s agribusiness sector employed 28.5 million people in the first quarter of 2025, the highest level ever recorded, according to CNA. The figure includes direct and indirect employment across farming, input supply, logistics, processing, and distribution. The growth was led by strong hiring in grains, coffee, livestock, and food manufacturing. The data confirms that agribusiness remains one of Brazil’s most dynamic and reliable job engines, even amid broader economic uncertainty. read more
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading,
KFG 🚀
Kieran Finbar Gartlan is an Irish native with over 30 years of experience living and working in Brazil. He is Managing Partner at The Yield Lab Latam, a leading venture capital firm investing in Agrifood and Climate Tech startups across Latin America.
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