EnBio 2025 – 61% of Argentine farmers use biological inputs

Date:03-05-2025

The Ag Barometer survey, conducted by Austral University, found that 61% of Argentine producers apply some type of biological input. This information was revealed during EnBio 2025, the "National Meeting on Extensive Crop Production with Biologicals and Sustainable Strategies," which received special coverage from AgroPages.

The Austral University research confirmed growth in the use of biological inputs in Argentina. The most demanded category is seed treatment inoculants (89%) and, to a lesser extent, biostimulants (33%), biofertilizers (28%), biofungicides (13%), and biopesticides (12%).

When questioned about factors that lead them to choose biological products, the main reason is "increasing productivity" (56%) followed by "improving environmental sustainability" (22%). Other reasons mentioned include "Testing new technologies," "Agronomist engineer advice," "Recommendations from other farmers," and simply conducting tests.

The Ag Barometer also investigated which aspects might act as limitations for further market growth. The main responses pointed to "Lack of information and tests," "Availability and cost," "Lack of dissemination," "The productivity gains in biologicals are still too small to take risks sometimes," and "Gross margin of activity."

"In this edition, we explored the use of biological products among Argentine producers, an aspect that has been gaining increasing importance in discussions about the technological mix of production. More than 60% of producers say they regularly use biological inputs," explains Carlos Steiger, a researcher at the Agribusiness and Food Center of Austral University and director of the survey.

Regarding adoption factors, the main one is linked to the search for better yields. "This is consistent with the type of solution most adopted, linked to inoculants, biostimulants, and biofertilizers. 22% consider environmental aspects as a determining factor for adoption (improvement in production sustainability), while other consulted aspects, such as soil quality care, cost savings, or the possibility of a premium price, lag far behind in consideration. 15% of producers indicated 'Others,' suggesting some issues related to the exploratory nature these solutions still have, such as conducting trials, product testing, or even recommendations from fellow producers or advisors," concludes Steiger.

The Ag Barometer is an index developed by the Agribusiness and Food Center of Austral University (CEAg). The survey provides bimonthly national measurements of agricultural sector perceptions in Argentina, showing the evolution of confidence throughout the year.

The survey collects responses from 400 producers whose gross production value is equal to or greater than US$200,000. The sample is stratified based on data from INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina) so that the results correctly represent the total universe.

In this latest edition, the survey included for the first time a question to investigate the scale of bioinput use in Argentina. According to researchers at Austral University, the results of the Agricultural Barometer reveal that biological inputs are "a category of inputs with clear demand growth" in this South American country, which is one of the most relevant in global agricultural production.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)