Free Soy Institute appoints new board of directors

In a scenario where conventional soybeans represent a relatively small but strategic share of Brazilian production, the Instituto Soja Livre (ISL) inaugurated its new board of directors for the 2025-2027 biennium in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. The ceremony took place earlier this month amid significant expectations and challenges for the organization of the non-GMO soybean supply chain in the country.

With conventional soybean acreage in Brazil reaching 542,9 hectares—corresponding to just 1,2% of the total soybean planted—and a projected 30% smaller harvest, the new ISL administration will be tasked with consolidating and expanding this market. Mato Grosso, in addition to being the largest producer of genetically modified soybeans, also leads in conventional soybean production, with 273,6 hectares in the 2024/25 harvest, representing 2% of the state's total area. Paraná, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Mato Grosso account for over 90% of the conventional soybean produced in Brazil.

President-elect Luiz Fiorese discusses his expectations for the new two-year term. "It's a major challenge to organize the non-GMO soybean supply chain in Brazil, from the producer to the industry and consumers in Europe, which is the main destination for our product," says Fiorese. The priority, he says, is to connect producers to this market.

One of the crucial points raised by Fiorese is the need to guarantee producer safety. This translates into long-term contracts that ensure the purchase of GMO-free soybeans by European companies. The stability of these agreements is seen as a determining factor in encouraging adoption and investment in conventional soybeans, minimizing risks for those who choose this cultivation method.

Board of Directors

The new board of directors of the Free Soy Institute is composed of Luiz Fiorese (president), Evandro Gianezini (vice president), Elton Hamer (administrative director), Dr. Sebastião Pedro (technical director), Marcelo Calzerani (financial director), and Guilherme Thomazi (director of international relations). The Fiscal Council will be composed of César Borges, Diogo Balistieri, Rodrigo Brogin, Odilon Lemos, Francisco Soares, and Marcos Borges.

With this inauguration, the Instituto Soja Livre reinforces its commitment to promoting conventional soybeans, seeking to defend the interests of producers and strengthen Brazil's position as a reliable and strategic supplier to the European market, which increasingly demands non-GMO products.