拉丁美洲CRO行业六大变革
2026年三月24日 Contract research organizations (CROs) are adapting their science and strategies to support companies keeping pace with regulatory change, agricultural innovation, and growers’ needs.
Dr. Jorgelina Lezaun, CEO and Founder of AgriConsult Latam, and Dr. Luiz Antonio A. José, Head of Operations, Staphyt Brazil, break down six key trends defining how CROs operate across the region.
1. Increased Testing of Biologicals and Biostimulants
Driven by strict maximum residue levels for imports by the EU, CROs in Latin America — particularly in Brazil and Argentina — have shifted significantly toward testing biological products, Lezaun says.
José notes that by the end of 2024, approximately 221 companies were registered for bioproducts in Brazil, of which 183 were domestic and 38 were international. Furthermore, according to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, close to 300 biological products were registered in Brazil between 2022 and 2024.
“This growth has led to a substantial increase in testing projects for CROs, with nematicides and insecticides being the most requested field studies,” José says.
2. Fewer Overall Requests Received
While the biologicals market is expanding within LATAM, José says that overall, CROs saw 20% to 40% fewer requests in 2024 and 2025.
“Droughts, large inventories, global tax fights, and low commodity prices have squeezed farmer margins, leading to financial instability across the agribusiness chain. Major chemical and biological players have reduced R&D and market development investments,” says José.
3. Leveraging Technology
CROs have increasingly utilized technology to streamline processes while maintaining accuracy. Lezaun points to high-speed digital phenotyping centers, equipped with drones featuring hyperspectral sensors and AI-powered cameras that measure crop growth in real time, allowing CROs to provide accurate data on water stress resistance and fertilizer efficacy.
Additionally, CROs have implemented blockchain platforms to ensure field data integrity. Finally, Lezaun says machine learning is being implemented for field trial analysis and pesticide performance prediction.
4. Multilocation Trial Networks
As climates become more volatile, CROs now offer trial networks spanning multiple microclimates simultaneously.
“This allows agricultural biotechnology companies to test products’ climate resilience under extreme conditions within a single growing season,” Lezaun says.
5. Increased harmonization
There has been more coordination throughout LATAM thanks to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Good Agricultural Practices standards.
“Many countries have updated their Good Laboratory Practice certifications,” Lezaun says. “This enables agrochemical residue studies conducted by CROs in Colombia or Chile to be recognized by international regulatory agencies, facilitating the export of crops treated with these new technologies.”
6. Regulatory Updates
José says two regulations updates in Brazil to pay attention to include:
- New Chemical Registration Law (No. 14.785/2023): This law aims to accelerate the chemical registration process in Brazil, among other things.
- The New Bio-Inputs Law (No. 15.070/2024): This law clearly separates product categories, facilitating the classification of different bioproducts, like biostimulants, and clarifies the registration path.
Argentina has also undertaken a comprehensive modernization of its regulatory framework for agrochemicals and bio-inputs through the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, according to Lezaun.
- Resolution 1004/2023: This landmark regulation established specific registration procedures for bio-inputs in the National Registry of Plant Therapeutics and the National Registry of Fertilizers.
- Resolution 458/2025: This resolution includes comprehensive phytosanitary moderization and represents Argentina’s alignment with international OECD standards.
- Resolution 843/2025: This resolution dramatically reduces bureaucratic barriers. Manufacturer establishments can now initiate operations with a simple sworn declaration.
- Resolution 214/2025: This regulation mandates the use of digital platforms (VUCE Argentina and TAD) for all registration, import, and export processes of active ingredients, agrochemicals, and biologicals.
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