Brazil AgTech Report: Hatch Hack, Caffeine Curve, Regen Rise, Mini Machines
#41 BAR Brief
Welcome to this week’s Brazil AgTech Report. Curated news from the frontline of Brazil’s Agri-Climate Tech ecosystem
Summary
In this week's AgTech news, Raiar is pioneering a German in-egg scanning system to prevent the culling of male chicks, Calice is using AI simulations to reduce the time and cost of field trials, TAG launches credit fund using AgTech startup tools, Nitro is partnering with Symbiomics to co-develop AI-driven biologicals, and farmers are betting on natural low-caffeine coffee cultivars.
On the climate front, Danone is blending nutrition and genetics to cut methane in milk, while OCP Brasil and Ambipar aim to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded pasture in the Araguaia Valley using carbon-linked models.
In M&A, Bunge’s integration with Viterra is fueling speculation across Brazil’s sugar-energy sector, Cargill is scaling up in animal nutrition with the acquisition of MIG Plus, and Fictor Alimentos is moving into meatpacking with plans to expand into poultry and fish.
And in Macro & Markets, Brazil’s orange juice escapes new U.S. tariffs even as other farm exports face a 50% hit. Meanwhile, Yanmar is investing $52 million to build a compact tractor factory in São Paulo.
Table of Contents
AgTech
Raiar uses EggTech to cut chick culling
Calice uses AI to cut R&D costs in agriculture
TAG launches credit fund using AgTech startup tools
Nitro and Symbiomics partner on AI-powered biologicals
Natural low-caffeine coffee gains ground in Brazil
Climate Tech
Danone cuts methane, boosts milk with regen model
OCP and Ambipar to restore 100,000 ha in Araguaia
M&A
Bunge-Viterra merger sparks speculation
Cargill acquires MIG Plus to grow animal nutrition
Fictor Alimentos adds meat plant, eyes poultry and fish
Macro & Markets
Trump spares OJ, but slaps 50% tariff on coffee, fruit and beef
Yanmar to build $52M tractor factory in São Paulo
AgTech
Raiar uses EggTech to cut chick culling – Organic egg producer Raiar has deployed a German-developed technology that identifies the sex of chicks while still in the egg, helping eliminate the controversial practice of culling male hatchlings. The system, called “sexagem in-ovo,” was developed by Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT) and uses hyperspectral imaging to detect feather color differences in embryos before they hatch—without harming the egg. Raiar is the first in the Southern Hemisphere to implement the tech, which costs less than $0.01 per egg and could help prevent the killing of billions of male chicks annually. The move is being hailed as a major step for animal welfare in commercial poultry. read more
Calice uses AI to cut R&D costs in agriculture – Argentine AgTech startup Calice is using AI to streamline agricultural R&D through its predictive software platform, NODES™, now active in Brazil, Argentina, and the U.S. The tool combines machine learning, data science, and bioinformatics to simulate field trials and reduce the time and cost of testing seeds, inputs, and crop protocols. By integrating genomic, phenotypic, and environmental data, the tool helps agroindustries model productivity and risk across different geographies, without needing to run physical tests in every location. read more
TAG launches credit fund using AgTech startup tools – TAG Investimentos, a Brazilian asset manager with US$2.6 billion under management, has launched a new rural credit fund targeting small and midsize farmers. Structured as a Fiagro—a fund designed to channel private capital into agriculture—the initiative aims to reach US$180 million by 2027. It integrates tools from AgTech startups Sette (AI credit engine) and E-ctare (prepaid input card tied to crop cycles). Loans are issued through co-ops and retailers, backed by CPRs (crop-backed notes) signed directly by farmers. Early deployments are underway in coffee regions. read more
Nitro and Symbiomics partner on AI-powered biologicals – Brazilian agricultural input company Nitro has partnered with local biotech startup Symbiomics to co-develop a new generation of biologicals focused on crop nutrition for corn and sugarcane. The products are expected to launch by the 2028/29 season, leveraging Symbiomics’ microbial library of over 12,000 strains and AI tools to accelerate discovery. Nitro will lead formulation, production, and on-farm delivery. A portfolio company of The Yield Lab Latam, Symbiomics recently secured new backing from Corteva to expand its R&D capacity. read more
Brazilian growers bet on naturally low-caffeine coffee – A small but growing number of Brazilian producers are investing in laurina, a rare arabica variety that contains just 0.6% caffeine—about half the level of conventional arabica (1.2%–1.3%). Unlike decaf coffee, which relies on industrial extraction processes that can affect flavor and aroma, laurina is naturally low in caffeine, preserving its delicate floral and complex notes. Pioneers like Daterra and Fazenda Recreio are cultivating the bean in small volumes for export to high-end markets in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Despite high costs and low yields, producers see laurina as a premium product for consumers seeking taste without the buzz. read more
Climate Tech
Danone cuts methane, boosts milk with regen model – Danone’s regenerative dairy program in Brazil has reduced methane emissions by 42% while increasing milk output and farmer income. At Fazenda Cachoeira das Antas in Minas Gerais, Áureo Carvalho multiplied milk production from 200 to 1,700 liters per day in two years by adopting pasture-based systems and animal welfare protocols. The initiative, part of Danone’s Project Flora, pays producers 4% more per liter and supports soil recovery and forest integration. Nearly half of the milk used by Danone in Brazil now comes from farms using regenerative practices. read more
OCP and Ambipar launch 100K-hectare regen project – Moroccan fertilizer giant OCP and Brazilian waste and carbon project developer Ambipar have joined forces with Liga do Araguaia and the Instituto Agroambiental do Vale do Araguaia (IAVA) to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded pasture in Brazil’s Araguaia Valley, a key cattle-producing region spanning parts of Mato Grosso, Goiás, and Tocantins. The initiative, branded “ALM Carbono Verde Araguaia,” aims to generate soil carbon credits by introducing regenerative practices like cover crops, nutrient-efficient fertilization, and precision ag tools across 60 farms over the next three years. The credits will be verified under Verra protocols. Itaú BBA estimates Brazil has 28 million hectares of similar land, representing a potential $180 billion boost in land value if restored. read more
M&A
Bunge-Viterra merger boosts Brazil footprint – With its merger with Viterra, a global grain trader with strong origination in South America, Bunge is sharpening its focus on Brazil, aiming to expand origination and improve crushing efficiency across the country. CEO Greg Heckman said the combined group is better balanced and well-positioned to capture logistics and sourcing synergies in Brazil’s top grain-producing regions. Stronger margins in Brazil and Argentina helped offset weaker U.S. results, contributing to earnings that beat expectations despite a 32% year-over-year drop. The deal still awaits final antitrust review by Brazil’s CADE. read more
Cargill acquires Mig-Plus to boost animal nutrition in Brazil – U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill has acquired 100% of Mig-Plus, a family-owned animal nutrition company based in Casca, Rio Grande do Sul. Founded in 1991, Mig-Plus produces premixes, core nutrients, and complete feed for pigs and cattle, with around 450 employees across two factories. The acquisition expands Cargill’s reach in southern Brazil and strengthens its position in one of the country’s top protein-producing regions. Cargill cited strong cultural alignment and complementary logistics as key drivers. The deal is pending approval by Brazil’s antitrust agency, CADE. read more
Fictor Alimentos adds meat plant, eyes poultry and fish – Brazilian protein group Fictor Alimentos, recently listed on B3, has acquired a swine processing facility in Betim (Minas Gerais) for approximately US$5.5 million. The plant was previously operated by Mellore Alimentos and is certified to export to 100 countries. Fictor plans to expand into poultry and aquaculture, targeting distressed and underutilized assets before year-end. The transaction did not include Mellore’s liabilities and awaits final judicial confirmation. read more
Macro & Markets
Trump spares OJ, but slaps 50% tariff on coffee, fruit and beef – In a surprise decision, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order sparing Brazilian orange juice from new import tariffs, but slapped a 50% duty on coffee, beef, and fruit exports. The move triggered concern across Brazil’s key ag sectors, which had lobbied for exemptions. Coffee exporters warned that the new tariff could spark inflation in the U.S., where Brazil supplies 30% of total imports, mostly arabica beans. Brazil’s beef industry also faces a hit, with potential losses of up to US$1 billion and sharp reductions in planned 2025 exports to the U.S. from 400,000 to below 220,000 tons. read more
Yanmar to build $52M compact tractor factory in São Paulo – Japanese machinery maker Yanmar will invest US$52 million in a new tractor factory in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, tripling its production footprint in Brazil. The move aims to meet rising demand for compact tractors among smallholders and niche markets like coffee and horticulture. The factory is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, expanding Yanmar’s output from 5,000 to 7,000 units annually. The company ended 2024 with 11% market share in the compact tractor segment and is testing a rental model while expanding dealer networks in states like Bahia, Tocantins, and Mato Grosso. 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.
🧠 New! Paid subscribers now get access to “My Take” — a brief commentary tying together this week’s key trends, offering insight and perspective on what it all means for Brazil’s ag and climate tech opportunity.
Insight & Analysis
Brazil’s ag innovation curve is bending sharply toward smaller, smarter, and more sustainable. This week’s developments underscore how compact agricultural machines are no longer just niche products; they’re becoming a strategic focus. Tractor makers are responding to strong demand from family farms and specialty crop producers by investing in localized production and rethinking scale. These machines are lighter on both fuel and footprint, designed to serve crops like coffee, fruits, and vegetables where precision, maneuverability, and efficiency matter most.
Meanwhile, regenerative agriculture is shifting from pilot projects to large-scale implementation. What’s most notable is the level of institutional buy-in: traditional players like processors, cooperatives, and large-scale producers are actively participating, not just watching from the sidelines. With better data, clearer metrics, and blended finance models gaining traction, regenerative ag is now being treated as a serious investment class that aligns productivity with resilience and long-term land value.
AI is also starting to reshape Brazil’s biotech pipeline, with startups and incumbents increasingly collaborating to speed up the development of biological inputs, crop genetics, and on-farm diagnostics. Incumbents bring scale and regulatory expertise, while startups offer speed and specialization. The result is a faster route from lab to field, especially in areas like bioinputs and seed tech, where timing is critical. These partnerships are beginning to close the adoption gap and point to a future where Brazil doesn’t just grow more, but grows smarter.