Brazil AgTech Report: Drone Dust-Off, Silo Surge, Barter Bonuses, Heineken Hectares
#33 BAR Brief
Welcome to this week’s Brazil AgTech Report. Curated news from the frontline of Brazil’s AgriFood and Climate Tech ecosystem
Summary
In AgTech news, Produzindo Certo rolls out a certification program to help smallholders access premium markets, ByMyCell teams up with Google to scale field diagnostics, Culttivo doubles down on coffee credit, and Pyka launches an electric crop-spraying drone in Brazil.
Climate Tech headlines include Brazil’s bold US$14B bioinputs export plan, IVGTech’s native seedling scale-up, Heineken’s reforestation push, mounting pressure to meet EU deforestation rules — and Kepler Weber landing its biggest silo deal in years to support low-carbon ethanol storage.
In Funding & Trade, 3tentos rewards barter-based farmers with bonus payouts, and Jubarte Capital rolls out a grain storage REIT.
The M&A space heats up with CADE approving the Marfrig–BRF merger, and Mantiqueira enters the U.S. market after selling a stake to JBS.
And in Macro & Markets, Rio Grande do Sul tests cattle traceability for EU access, Conab highlights Brazil’s heavy reliance on road transport, and Volvo CE reports a 40% jump in ag machinery sales.
🧭 Table of Contents
AgTech
✅ Produzindo Certo certifies smallholders
🔬 ByMyCell expands diagnostics with Google
💸 Culttivo fintech doubles down on coffee
✈️ Pyka unveils electric spraying aircraft
Climate Tech
🧪 Brazil bets on US$14B bioinputs market
🌱 IVGTech scales biotech for reforestation
🚫 Brazil still unprepared for EU deforestation law
🌿 Heineken reforests 386 hectares in SP
🏗️ Kepler Weber wins Be8 silo contract
Funding & Trade
🤝 3tentos pays farmers post-barter bonuses
🏢 Jubarte Capital launches grain storage REIT
M&A
🥩 CADE clears Marfrig–BRF merger
🥚 Mantiqueira enters U.S. market with JBS
Macro & Markets
🐄 RS pilots bovine traceability for EU
🚚 Conab: road transport dominates grain flow
🚜 Volvo CE posts 40% sales growth in ag
🌾AgTech
✅ Produzindo Certo certifies smallholders– AgTech startup Produzindo Certo has launched the Colheita Certa program to help small and medium soy and corn farmers in southern Brazil gain international certification. The initiative focuses on facilitating access to the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) standard, promoting responsible production while unlocking new market channels. read more
🔬 ByMyCell expands diagnostics with Google – ByMyCell, a Brazilian agtech backed by Google for Startups, is preparing to launch next-gen diagnostics for crops, soil, and bioinputs. Known for its DNA-based soil testing platform, the company is now building plug-and-play field tools and expanding into synthetic biology through a new spin-off, BlackGenn. read more
💸 Culttivo fintech doubles down on coffee – Culttivo, a rapidly growing agfintech focused on Brazil’s coffee sector, is set to double in size with a goal of managing over US$60 million in assets this year. The startup offers tailored credit and working capital solutions for small and specialty coffee growers, often underserved by traditional banks. Its platform also integrates financial education, harvest-linked repayments, and digital onboarding to streamline access for rural clients. read more
✈️ Pyka unveils electric spraying aircraft – California-based Pyka has unveiled an autonomous electric aircraft for agricultural spraying in Brazil, in partnership with Synerjet. The drone-sized plane, certified by ANAC, offers a clean and cost-effective alternative for medium to large-scale farms. It can operate with minimal human oversight and target crops with precision, reducing environmental impact. read more
🌿 Climate Tech
🧪 Brazil bets on US$14B bioinputs market – ApexBrasil and CropLife have launched a joint initiative to boost bioinput exports from Brazil. The country aims to capture a larger share of the global US$14 billion market by promoting its native biofertilizers, biopesticides, and microbial technologies. The project will support companies through training, regulatory guidance, and international trade missions. read more
🌱 IVGTech scales biotech for reforestation – Brazilian startup IVGTech is using biotechnology to accelerate native forest restoration. The company produces seedlings with enhanced resilience and growth characteristics to meet rising demand for reforestation, carbon markets, and ESG goals. With Brazil targeting large-scale restoration and private sector players increasing forest offsets, IVGTech sees a booming market for bioengineered forest solutions. read more
🚫 Brazil still unprepared for EU deforestation law – Brazil’s ag exporters face rising pressure with just seven months left before the EU’s deforestation regulation (EUDR) takes effect. The rule requires proof that soy, beef, and other commodities are not linked to deforestation after 2020. But Brazil still lacks standardized geolocation tools, traceability systems, and compliance protocols. Exporters are pushing for clarity and warning that key trade flows could be disrupted. read more
🌿 Heineken reforests 386 hectares in SP – Heineken is advancing its reforestation efforts in Brazil, having planted over 7 million native trees in partnership with SOS Mata Atlântica since 2007. The initiative has restored 386 hectares in Itu, São Paulo, contributing to water security and biodiversity. Heineken’s broader sustainability goals include renewable energy in 50% of its points of sale. read more
🏗️ Kepler Weber wins Be8 silo contract – Grain storage firm Kepler Weber has partnered with Be8 to build a major new silo unit for a wheat ethanol plant in Rio Grande do Sul. The project is part of Be8’s push into biofuel production from non-traditional sources. Kepler will supply steel silos and engineering expertise to handle the byproducts and grain logistics. This reflects growing infrastructure investment tied to Brazil’s transition to bioeconomy and energy diversification. read more
💸 Funding & Trade
🤝 3tentos pays farmers post-barter bonuses – Agribusiness firm 3tentos has paid over US$4 million in performance bonuses to farmers who participated in its barter-linked soybean program. The incentive rewards producers based on market conditions and product quality, aiming to strengthen loyalty and differentiate its trading platform. This model also helps farmers hedge price volatility while accessing inputs upfront. read more
🏢 Jubarte Capital launches grain storage REIT – Jubarte Capital has launched Brazil’s first real estate fund focused on grain storage infrastructure. The REIT aims to address logistical bottlenecks and post-harvest losses by investing in silos and warehouse networks. By offering stable returns to investors and long-term leasing to operators, the fund supports both capital market access and rural competitiveness. read more
🤝 M&A
🥩 CADE clears Marfrig–BRF merger – Brazil’s antitrust authority CADE has approved Marfrig’s acquisition of full control of BRF with no restrictions. The deal consolidates two of Brazil’s largest meatpackers, combining significant poultry, beef, and processed foods operations. Analysts say the merger creates operational synergies and global export leverage, though concerns remain over market concentration. read more
🥚 Mantiqueira enters U.S. market with JBS – Mantiqueira, Latin America’s largest egg producer, is expanding to the U.S. after JBS acquired a 50% stake. The move includes launching operations abroad and exploring new plant-based egg products. Mantiqueira aims to capitalize on rising demand for sustainable protein and leverage JBS’s distribution reach. The partnership also aligns with JBS’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional meats and support innovation in alternative proteins. read more
📊 Macro & Markets
🐄 RS pilots bovine traceability for EU – A new pilot in Rio Grande do Sul is testing traceability methods for cattle exports to the EU, which now require detailed geolocation and compliance with anti-deforestation laws. The project will assess the cost, accuracy, and scalability of various approaches, including blockchain and GIS. read more
🚚 Conab: road transport dominates grain flow – Brazil’s CONAB reports that 67.2% of the country’s grain crop was transported by road in 2024, down slightly from 69.4% in 2023. Rail accounted for 22.6%, and waterways 9.3%, showing modest gains in alternatives but reaffirming trucking as the dominant logistics mode. As grain volumes grow, the data underscores Brazil’s continued infrastructure challenges and the urgency of diversifying transport to cut costs and emissions. read more
🚜 Volvo CE posts 40% sales growth in ag – Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) has seen its ag-sector sales grow 40% year-over-year in Brazil, driven by new product lines and increased demand for high-efficiency loaders and equipment. The company is planning a fresh investment cycle to localize production and expand dealer networks. This surge signals the growing role of construction-style machinery in modernizing Brazil’s large-scale agriculture. 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.
All views and opinions expressed are his own.