Biodefensivos market grows and seeks greater adhesion between producers

Yet little known among producers, the biodefensivos market recorded significant growth of 77% in 2018, to $464.5 million. This year, the projection is of a breakthrough between 20% and 25%. "This is a recent technology that is not yet known by all farmers. Now, companies are more structured and the challenge is to bring this understanding to producers, "said the President of the Brazilian Association of biological control (ABCBio), Lauri Susi Arnelo, in press conference on Thursday (21). According to a survey by ABCBio, 43% of rural producers claim not to know the biodefensivos. "As the use is still in consolidation phase, any increase in field crops sales lever. It was well above the performance we had in recent years, "said Lauri Susi. He lists as main factors for this significant result investments of companies in the sector, greater regulatory flexibility at the Ministry of agriculture and the concern the consumer seek products free of chemical residues. "We had great players who join in this market in recent years and which have launched products in 2018." The Executive Director of ABCBio, Amalia Borsari, says that of the 200 biodefensivos available on the market, about 90 have been registered over the past two years. "Is almost 50% of the total. But there is still a need to raise the rate of use by farmers and we will promote events and partnerships to disseminate information faster. " Lauri Susi points out that the growth occurred mainly between the major crops, such as soybeans, sugar cane, coffee and fruit and vegetables. "In some cases, the percentage growth is greater, especially in the South, that the product be consumed in natura, which demand more incisive." The leader also believes that the use in conjunction with chemical pesticides is that is leveraging the use of biological agents. "The biodefensivo including help the synthetic having more longevity." He details that, while the biodefensivo is a management tool and prevention, chemists have a more specific use of treatment. "The perception of result ends up being faster in the use of chemicals. We're trying to get that understanding to the field. " Amalia explains that, although the two types of products are treated as separate markets, it is possible to estimate that represent 1% of the organic 2% of the total market of pesticides. "This percentage must grow by the current low adhesion of the great cultures and technological advances." The expectation for 2019 and for the coming years is that the growth is not as expressive. "It is difficult to estimate because the company does not usually publicize its projections, but we believe we're going to have an expansion of 20% to 25% in this and the next five years," said Lauri Susi. Sector demand Amalia stated that the ABCBio has been working in a sector agenda with the ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Mapa). "We're meeting with Minister Abdel accessors for bottlenecks and challenges to boost the use of biodefensivos." She stands out as one of the main obstacles to ban the importation of species of exotic origin. "Some of the main threats to crops are just exotic origin and the natural enemy is not here. Even we can import to do research. Is a one-off demand. "