Votorantim Cimentos sells 5 million tons of agricultural inputs in 2020

Votorantim Cimentos, an international materials, minerals and solutions company, reached a new sales record in the agricultural market. In 2020, 5 million tons of agricultural inputs were sold by the Viter business unit, focused on agribusiness. According to the most recent data from Abracal (Brazilian Association of Agricultural Limestone Producers), the country produced 43 million tons of the input in 2019.

"Our record delivery volume to the market is the result of the combination of the growth of agribusiness in the country last year with the consolidation of projects and the expansion of Viter's product portfolio. This increase also shows the tendency of rural producers to increasingly seek solutions that increase soil productivity, bringing better results for your business", says Viter's general manager, Laercio Solla.

In May 2020, Votorantim Cimentos introduced Viter, the brand of its agricultural inputs business unit, to the market. The new identity reinforces the company's strategy of expanding its operations in agribusiness, getting even closer to Brazilian rural producers. Currently, Votorantim Cimentos is the leader in the commercialization of agricultural limestone in Brazil and the only company with a national presence.

Viter's production of agricultural inputs is distributed across eight factories in Brazil. In the North and Central-West regions, there are operations in the cities of Nobres (MT), Xambioá (TO) and Sobradinho (DF). The Southeast region is supplied by units in Itapeva (SP), Salto de Pirapora (SP) and Itaú de Minas (MG) and Paracatu (MG). The South region is served by the Rio Branco do Sul (PR) operation.

Last year, Viter also launched Optmix on the market. The product corrects, nourishes and conditions the soil profile in a single application, as it contains limestone and gypsum and thus provides three essential macronutrients: calcium, magnesium and sulfur. In addition to providing soil recovery, Optimix contributes to improving input storage management and reducing costs.

In 2019, Votorantim Cimentos announced an investment plan of R﹩ 200 million for the next five years. This value includes the development of new products and the increase in production capacity at Viter, which has a broad portfolio sold under the brands Calcário Itaú, Cal Fértil and Optimix.

"Our purpose is to perpetuate the maximum potential of the farmer's soil, ensuring the sustainability of production. The soil is the basis for good productivity in a crop and this is our focus. The record in the shipment of agricultural inputs in 2020 demonstrates that our strategy in agribusiness is on the right track", says the Director of Operations in Brazil at Votorantim Cimentos, André Leitão.

Agriculture starts in the soil

Brazilian soils, especially those in the Cerrado biome, have an excessively acidic pH (acidity level), which leads to a decrease in the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium which, depending on the management and fertilization used, can reach levels of deficiency and toxicity to plants.

Correct soil management, through liming, also offers environmental gains, a major concern of modern agriculture, and includes concepts of conservation and sustainability, so that natural resources, notably soil and water, can be conserved for future generations . The use of agricultural limestone improves the physical properties of the soil, providing better aeration and water circulation, favoring root development.