Latin America Will Drive Agricultural Growth Through 2035: What It Means for Growers, Importers, and Distributors
Global agriculture is entering a new phase of expansion, and Latin America is expected to play a central role in this transformation. According to the OECD–FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035, the region is projected to become one of the main contributors to global agricultural growth, driven by productivity gains, technological innovation and more efficient use of agricultural resources.
Rather than relying on the expansion of cultivated land, future growth will depend on producing more with greater efficiency. Advanced agricultural technologies, improved soil management, specialty fertilizers, precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices are expected to become increasingly important as global food demand continues to rise.
For growers, importers, distributors and agribusiness companies, understanding these trends is essential to identifying new business opportunities and preparing for a more competitive agricultural market over the coming decade.
What Does the OECD–FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035 Reveal?
The OECD–FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035, published in June 2026, projects that global agricultural production will increase by approximately 13% over the next ten years.
According to the report, this expansion will be driven primarily by improvements in productivity rather than by increasing the amount of cultivated land. Technological innovation, better agricultural practices and more efficient use of inputs will play a decisive role in supporting future food production.
Within this scenario, Latin America and the Caribbean are expected to account for approximately 12.7% of global agricultural production growth through 2035, reinforcing the region's strategic importance in global agribusiness.
This projection confirms a trend that has been strengthening for years: Latin America has become one of the world's leading suppliers of food, feed, fibers and agricultural commodities.
Why Will Latin America Lead Global Agricultural Growth?
Several factors explain why Latin America is expected to become one of the fastest-growing agricultural regions in the world.
The region combines favorable climate conditions, extensive agricultural land, abundant natural resources and a highly professional farming sector capable of adopting new technologies at scale.
Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia and Mexico continue investing in agricultural innovation, allowing farmers to increase productivity without proportionally expanding cultivated areas.
Another competitive advantage lies in the sector's ability to adapt.
Despite climate challenges, economic fluctuations and evolving market demands, producers across Latin America continue adopting precision agriculture, specialty fertilizers, biological inputs, digital farming tools and more efficient crop-management practices.
Future Growth Will Depend More on Productivity Than on Land Expansion
For decades, increasing agricultural production often meant expanding cultivated land. Today, the challenge is different.
The future of global agriculture will depend on producing more while using available resources more efficiently. Improving productivity without significantly increasing farmland has become one of the sector's main objectives.
Achieving this goal requires continuous investment in technology, innovation and smarter farm management, including:
- Improving fertilizer efficiency and nutrient utilization;
- Optimizing water management and irrigation practices;
- Reducing production losses throughout the crop cycle;
- Enhancing soil management and soil health;
- Supporting plant development with advanced agricultural technologies;
- Making data-driven decisions through monitoring and precision agriculture.
According to the OECD and the FAO, global cereal yields are expected to increase by approximately 0.9% per year through 2035, driven by advances in crop genetics, improved farming practices and more efficient use of agricultural inputs.
This trend is expected to benefit major Latin American crops, including soybeans, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton, fruits and vegetables, further strengthening the region's competitiveness in international markets.
Which Agricultural Technologies Will Shape the Next Decade?
The projected growth of Latin American agriculture will be closely linked to technologies that improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability across farming operations.
Several innovations are expected to play an increasingly important role over the coming years.
Specialty Fertilizers
High-efficiency fertilizers that improve nutrient availability and reduce losses are expected to become even more important as growers seek higher productivity with optimized input use.
Biological Inputs
The adoption of biological products continues to expand worldwide, supporting more sustainable production systems while improving crop performance and soil health.
Precision Agriculture
Technologies such as sensors, drones, satellite imagery and data analytics enable growers to make more accurate decisions regarding planting, irrigation, fertilization and crop management.
Smart Soil Management
Maintaining healthy soils through proper physical, chemical and biological management will remain one of the most important factors for achieving consistent agricultural productivity over the long term.
Challenges That Still Need to Be Addressed
Although the outlook for Latin American agriculture is highly positive, long-term growth will depend on the sector's ability to overcome several important challenges.
Among the most significant are:
- Climate change and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns;
- Rising production costs and input prices;
- Transportation and logistics infrastructure;
- Access to skilled labor and technical expertise;
- Adoption of innovative agricultural technologies;
- Building more sustainable and resource-efficient production systems.
Companies that successfully develop solutions to address these challenges will be better positioned to meet future market demands while supporting more productive and resilient farming systems.
What Does This Mean for Importers and Distributors?
The projected expansion of Latin American agriculture creates significant opportunities for companies involved in importing and distributing agricultural technologies.
However, expanding a product portfolio will require much more than simply introducing new products. Success will depend on selecting technologies that deliver measurable value to growers while addressing the specific needs of each market.
Key strategic priorities include:
- Selecting technologies adapted to the main crops and production systems of each country;
- Providing technical support alongside commercial solutions;
- Developing integrated crop management programs instead of offering isolated products;
- Evaluating regulatory requirements, logistics, pricing strategies and market demand before entering new markets;
- Building long-term relationships with distributors, retailers and growers.
As agriculture becomes increasingly technology-driven, distributors are evolving from input suppliers into strategic advisors who connect innovation with local agricultural knowledge and real on-farm needs.
How Brazilian Agricultural Technology Can Support This Growth
Brazil has become one of the world's leading references in tropical agriculture by developing highly efficient production systems adapted to diverse soils, climates and cropping systems.
This expertise has also contributed to the development of Brazilian agricultural technologies capable of supporting growers and distributors in international markets.
Within this context, Solo Rico Agrociências has been developing specialty liquid fertilizers and agricultural technologies for more than 30 years, helping improve productivity and operational efficiency across different production systems.
Its diversified portfolio includes solutions designed for multiple crops and production stages, allowing distributors and importers to build agricultural programs tailored to local market conditions and growers' needs.
Rather than offering a single solution for every situation, Solo Rico works alongside its business partners to identify technologies that best match their commercial objectives, target crops and market positioning.
Conclusion
The outlook for agriculture through 2035 highlights three key drivers of future success: productivity, innovation and efficiency.
Latin America has the resources, expertise and production capacity to strengthen its position as one of the world's leading agricultural regions. However, maintaining this momentum will depend on continuous investment in technology, sustainable farming practices and efficient resource management.
For growers, importers and distributors, now is the time to prepare for the next phase of agricultural development. Companies that invest in innovation, technical expertise and high-performance agricultural solutions today will be better positioned to meet tomorrow's market demands.
Bring Brazilian Agricultural Technology to Your Market
If your company imports or distributes agricultural inputs, adding technologies developed for one of the world's most productive agricultural sectors can provide a significant competitive advantage.
Solo Rico Agrociências develops specialty liquid fertilizers and agricultural solutions designed to improve productivity and efficiency in the field. Backed by more than three decades of experience, the company supports importers and distributors with technical expertise, commercial support and solutions tailored to different agricultural markets.
Contact our team to learn how Brazilian agricultural technology can help strengthen your product portfolio and create new business opportunities in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the OECD–FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035 forecast?
The report projects that global agricultural production will grow by approximately 13% through 2035, driven primarily by productivity gains, technological innovation and more efficient farming practices.
Why is Latin America expected to play a leading role in global agriculture?
Latin America combines favorable climate conditions, extensive agricultural resources, advanced farming expertise and growing investment in agricultural technology, making it one of the most important regions for future food production.
Which agricultural technologies are expected to drive future growth?
Specialty fertilizers, biological inputs, precision agriculture, smart soil management and data-driven farming are among the technologies expected to play a key role in improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.
What are the main challenges facing agricultural growth?
Climate change, rising production costs, logistics, access to innovation, skilled labor and sustainable resource management remain some of the biggest challenges for the agricultural sector.
How can importers and distributors benefit from these market trends?
Companies can strengthen their market position by expanding their portfolios with high-performance agricultural technologies, providing technical support and building long-term partnerships that help growers improve productivity and operational efficiency.