Valtra celebrates 60 years since the brand arrived in Brazil

Specialist in the design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and implements, Valtra celebrates 60 years in Brazil in 2020. The brand, then called Valmet do Brasil, officially began its activities in the first months of 1960, after a period of commercial opening between the governments of Brazil and Finland, Valmet's country of origin.

“Celebrating 60 years of Valtra in Brazil is celebrating the progress of Brazilian agriculture, whose history is mixed with that of the brand. It was the first agricultural machinery manufacturer to establish itself in the country and, over these 60 years, it has maintained its vocation as an innovative brand. There were many times when Valtra redefined the machinery market in the country in these six decades”, exalts Luis Felli, president of AGCO South America.

The company was part of the arrival of the automotive industry in Brazil, driven by the developmental motto of then president Juscelino Kubistchek, who wanted the country to advance “50 years in 5”. Over the years, Valtra has been a pioneer in the development of agricultural machines designed especially for cultivation on Brazilian soil, preserving Scandinavian design and robustness.

Valtra was the first narrow tractor, developed to combat a pest crisis in Brazilian coffee plantations in the 60s. For many years, the largest and most powerful tractor in Brazil was the Valmet 138-4. In the early 70s, a time when the country went through an energy crisis, Valtra developed the first and most efficient tractor with a diesel ignition engine and alcohol torque. In the 90s, the first tractor with a cabin and air conditioning was also developed by Valtra.

More recently, Valtra renewed 100% of its machinery portfolio, adding high technology, connectivity and intelligence to the brand's tractors, harvesters, sprayers and implements. In 2017, it was once again a pioneer, by manufacturing the Valtra Series T CVT, the first with a CVT transmission in the country. The most recent milestone was the launch of the Momentum folding planter, Valtra's first global project fully developed in Brazil.

“We have the responsibility, but also the pleasure, of carrying on Valtra’s legacy. We are in the era of decision-making agriculture, based on data, connectivity and high technology, and Valtra is ready for any challenge in this regard. We celebrate the brand's glorious past looking to the future, with the certainty that our products will continue to be fundamental to Brazilian agriculture”, concludes Luis Felli.

 Valtra in the sugarcane market

In addition to the various moments in the last 60 years in which it redefined the agricultural machinery market in Brazil, Valtra created a strong connection with the sugarcane market. Since the creation of the brand's first lines of semi-heavy and heavy tractors, the sugar and alcohol sector began to prefer Valtra equipment. This relationship was strengthened with the launch of the BH generation I,I series of tractors and continues today. The BH 194 HiTech tractor is today the brand's best-selling tractor in Brazil, largely thanks to sugarcane producers.

In addition, Valtra offers complete and customizable solutions for sugarcane cultivation, such as the BE 1035e harvester, also available in the seedling version. Another highlight of the brand's portfolio of sugarcane solutions is the new BS3330H sprayer. Owner of the best spray boom on the market, the equipment, in its 24 meter version, is the only one on the market approved to work in half booms, an essential function for sugarcane cultivation in meiosi areas.