The Wirstchat Group, which specializes in plant nutrition technologies, has announced the construction of its first factory outside Brazil.

The new industrial plant, to be installed in the Alentejo region of Portugal, represents a total investment of EUR 4 million and marks a decisive first step in the internationalization strategy of the Brazilian group, which includes the companies Wirstchat Polímeros and Harvest Agro.

The new production line will focus on specialty nutrition and sustainable technologies for agriculture. It will have the capacity to produce 300,000 liters per month of specialty nutrition products, operating with a highly automated structure. In an exclusive interview with NewAG International, Andreto Ceolin, the partner and CEO of Wirstchat Group, revealed that the investment in equipment is estimated at EUR 450,000, including mixing and reaction tanks, an efficient filling line, and a comprehensive laboratory for chemical and physical analyses.

According to Ceolin, the Portuguese factory will specialize in the development of technologies for specialty nutrition, including fourth-generation, highly mobile micronutrients, powerful adjuvants, biological pesticides, and biostimulants focused on water stress. These products directly address the demands of the European market, known for its “conservatism and strong environmental concerns,” comments Ceolin.

“It will be a modern and well-automated factory, with exponential growth potential in the coming years,” he highlights. Ceolin notes that the total European fertilizer market generated an estimated EUR 48 billion in 2024 (converted from USD 52 billion). On the other hand, there is a “growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the reduction in the use of conventional chemical fertilizers. This is precisely the segment in which we have expertise in Brazil.”

Timeline and International Expansion

The company anticipates that the factory will be fully operational by December 2026, following the receipt of all necessary environmental licenses and certifications. According to Andreto Ceolin, the processes for product approvals and registrations for the planned products were very similar to those used in Brazil, with even shorter timelines. “Portugal is a welcoming country, and we consider it the ‘gateway’ to Europe,” he said.

Meanwhile, he explains, Wirstchat Group will already begin commercial operations in Europe by exporting products manufactured in Brazil. For the first year of operation, the expectation is to achieve EUR 2 million in revenue, and from there, consolidate a projected sustainable growth of 15% per year. Earning revenue in euros is also seen by the Brazilian group as a natural hedge against the exchange rate instability that is so present in today’s global economy.

“Raw materials will preferably be sourced in the Portuguese domestic market, whenever local suppliers are available. We will complement our needs with imports from the European and Asian markets, ensuring flexibility and competitiveness in the supply chain,” adds Ceolin.

According to him, the factory in Portugal is just the first step in an ambitious international strategy. Over the next five years, the group plans to expand its activities to Spain, Italy, and France, in addition to taking its first steps in the North American market, beginning in the state of Florida and aiming to reach the largest productive region in the United States, the Corn Belt.

The group, which had revenues of BRL 80 million in 2024 (equivalent to EUR 14 million) and aims to surpass BRL 100 million in 2025, maintains a balanced business model between B2B and B2C. “We are not a rigid company. We speak the language of the farmer, not just the shareholders, and that is our great differentiator. We firmly believe we will add and contribute our technologies, expertise, and margins to Portuguese and European farmers and distributors,” concludes Ceolin.

For more insight on the biologicals market in LATAM, book a place now on New AG International’s Biocontrol & Biostimulants LATAM, 28-30 July, Campinas, Sao Paulo state, Brazil.