Ag Industry Leaders Address Problems, Seek Solutions in LATAM

By Michele Katsaris|30 May 2024

Taking on politics, infrastructure, and what it takes to be successful in LATAM, ag industry experts didn’t hold back their opinions on what problems and opportunities there are in Central and South America at the AgriBusiness Global℠ LATAM Conference second day on 15 May in Panama City, Panama.

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The session Thriving in LATAM Business: Essential Keys for Success included panelists (from left) Moderator Guido Azzari, Executive Director for Central America Toll Manufacture & Logistics (not pictured); Daniel Traverso, Vice President for Anasac International Corporation; Gerardo Suárez Aguiar, Director AMVAC Latam; Jens Schenck, Managing Director for Agrosolutions Group International Ltd; Ferdinand Groos, CEO Central American & Caribbean for Rainbow Agro; and Irving Tejada, Crop Protection Manager for SLS/Incofe/Disagro.
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Moderator Renee Targos, Editor for AgriBusiness Global (right) and Aaron Magenheim, COO for Lighthouse Ag, discuss how ag tech is being adopted by growers and the opportunities for formulation in LATAM.
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Attendees ask panelists questions during the AgriBusiness Global LATAM Conference on 15 May.
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Lawrence Middler, Senior Analyst of AgbioInvestor, takes a photo of Alexandre Quesada Pinheiro Chagas, Executive Director for Winhonor LATAM, during the Embracing LATAM Regulatory Changes: Preparing for 2024 and Beyond session.
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The Navigating LATAM Challenges: Seeking Solutions session included panelists (from left) Manuel Augusto Olaechea von Sonnenberg, Chief Operating Officer for Sunfruits Export; Moderator Daniel Traverso, Vice President for Anasac International Corporation; Jose Luis Bravo Cabaellero, Commercial Director at AMVAC Mexico; and Gabriel Ormeño Hofer, General Manager for Anasac Chile, and President for IMPPA A.G.
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Gabriela Briceño, Director of Stewardship for CropLife Latin America shares that "CropLife Latin America has led effective stewardship programs beyond regulatory compliance for more than 30 years," during the Uncovering the Impacts of Stewardship presentation.
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Attendees listening to the panelists during the morning sessions on day two of the AgriBusiness Global LATAM Conference.
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From left: German Alfaro, General Director for Greenplants; Moderator Jocelyn Alfaro, Marketing Coordinator for AgriBusiness Global; and Julio Cesar Chavarin, Regional Technical Manager LATAM for Acadian Plant Health discussed Latin American countries’ strategies for reevaluating fertilizer resource management and leveraging biostimulants to redefine plant health patterns.

Starting off with the morning session “Navigating LATAM Challenges: Seeking Solutions,” moderator Daniel Traverso, Vice President for Anasac International Corporation asked panelists Manuel Augusto Olaechea von Sonnenberg, COO at Sunfruits Export; Jose Luis Bravo Cabaellero, Commercial Director at AMVAC Mexico; and Gabriel Ormeño Hofer, General Manager at Anasac Chile and President for IMPPA A.G. tough questions about how bans and regulations are affecting LATAM growers and the market.

Another great panel discussion, moderated by Guido Azzari, Executive Director for Central America Toll Manufacture & Logistics explored what it takes to be successful in the crop protection industry in LATAM. The panel included Daniel Traverso, Vice President for Anasac International Corporation; Gerardo Suárez Aguiar, Director for AMVAC LATAM; Ferdinand Groos, CEO Central American & Caribbean for Rainbow Agro; Jens Schenck, Managing Director for Agrosolutions Group International Ltd; and Irving Tejada, Crop Protection Manager for SLS/Incofe/Disagro.

The group discussed questions like: Do you need a regional plant to be successful in LATAM? And other questions about changes to the marketplace and what skillset companies need to be bring products to market for making a profit.

Other highlights for the day included Alexandre Quesada Pinheiro Chagas, Executive Director for Winhonor LATAM, giving in-depth updates on regulations for LATAM countries. Aaron Magenheim, COO for Lighthouse Ag, discussed the role ag tech plays not only for LATAM growers, but also for crop protection formulators.