Fungicides to control Asian rust generated R$9 billion in the 2020-21 harvest

With a record growth in planted area of ​​5% in the 2020-21 harvest, to over 38 million hectares, soybeans continued to be the main market in the pesticide sector. Culture accounted for total industry sales of R$31,4 billion, an increase of 17% compared to the 2019-20 cycle (R$26,7 billion), according to the recently released BIP study – Business Intelligence Panel -, by the consultancy Spark Strategic Intelligence. The research results from 3,8 interviews with farmers from the main oilseed producing regions.

According to Spark's project coordinator, Lucas Alves, the fungicides segment once again led the sale of agrochemicals for soybeans, with 41% of sales or R$12,8 billion. Of this amount, products aimed at controlling Asian rust or soybean rust generated R$9 billion, an increase of 10% compared to the 2019-20 harvest (R$8,5 billion). Fungicides as a whole saw an increase of around 13%.

BIP Spark data by product category shows the insecticides segment in second position in the ranking, with 25% share and sales of R$7,880 billion, a positive variation of approximately 23% compared to the previous cycle (R$6,39 billion). Herbicides accounted for 22% of the total. The sale of these products reached R$6,940 billion, around 19% above the 2019-20 period (R$5,79 billion).

Also according to Spark, seed treatment products, with 8% of total sales, increased 13,5%, to R$2,427 billion, against R$2,138 billion. Other products, which were equivalent to 4% of the agrochemicals market for soybeans, closed the 2020-21 harvest with growth of 20%, to R$1,361 billion compared to R$1,129 billion.

Beyond the rust

According to Lucas Alves, Asian rust is today the main concern for soybean farmers during the harvest. The disease identified in 2001, he explains, represents a high risk to productivity and requires different management strategies, especially due to the development of resistance, by the fungus that causes rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), to certain active ingredients in fungicides.

“This scenario increased the use rate of 'multisite fungicides' from 6% in the 2014/15 harvest (R$75 million), to 70% in the 2020-21 cycle (R$2,5 billion). More than 26 million hectares of oilseeds received treatments with these products in the last harvest”, emphasizes Alves. He adds that 'multisites' are mainly used in the management of resistance to the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi. The practice consists of alternating the application of fungicides with different modes of action, and preserves the effectiveness of technologies in controlling the disease.

“Rust management is carried out preventively. On average, 3,5 to 4 applications of these products are carried out”, adds Alves.

According to Alves, other soybean diseases, which in recent years were considered 'secondary', have gained more relevance in the fungicide market. BIP Spark showed that at least one application of a product to control spots was carried out in 85% of the crops in Mato Grosso and in 79% of those in Mato Grosso do Sul. “In Mapitoba the index reached 90% for spot control and anthracnose. In the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, the highlight was applications focusing on powdery mildew, the target of treatments in 55% of cultivated areas.”

“While producers pursue more solutions with each harvest that allow for a broad spectrum of disease control, the industry seeks differentiation, diversification and new portfolio positions”, continues Lucas Alves. According to him, the BIP Spark Soja for the 2021-22 harvest will be released next April.