Court recognizes flaw in seeds and orders compensation to farmer.

The Court of Justice of Mato Grosso upheld the conviction of a manufacturer and seller of pasture seeds for product quality defects in a product sold to a rural producer. The decision recognized a low germination rate and confirmed the causal link to the damage to pasture establishment. The judgment took place in the Third Chamber of Private Law of the Court.

The case involves pasture seeds. The producer planted them within the expiration date and followed proper agronomic practices. Technical reports indicated germination rates between 5% and 8%, below the minimum legal requirement established by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The panel pointed to a quality defect in the product. The decision highlighted that only one of the purchased batches presented a severe flaw. The court ruled out the possibility of mishandling. Witnesses confirmed correct soil preparation, equipment adjustments, and cultivation practices.

The Chamber recognized the joint liability of the manufacturer and the retailer. The judges, in case number 1007850-50.2024.8.11.0007, applied the theory of enterprise risk. They also considered the companies' negligence after being notified of the problem, without re-analyzing the batch.

Regarding damages, the court upheld the right to compensation. Actual damages were limited to the amounts proven by valid documents. The quantification of lost profits will proceed to the settlement phase, preferably through expert arbitration.