Bayer introduces Intacta 5+ soybean technology for Brazil

Bayer said it will introduce a new genetically engineered soybean seed, Intacta 5+, to Brazilian farmers as part of its strategy to expand advanced crop biotechnology in the country. Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of soybeans and one of the biggest markets for modified seed traits.

The company said commercial varieties incorporating the new technology are expected to reach the market in the 2027/28 harvest cycle, subject to regulatory clearance and internal business decisions in Brazil and other jurisdictions.

Intacta 5+ will be the first soybean technology available in Brazil with tolerance to five herbicides—mesotrione, dicamba, glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D. It also provides protection against caterpillars that can damage soybean plants.

Brazilian producers have widely adopted genetically modified seeds, contributing to gains in crop productivity over recent decades. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Brazil was forecast to plant 68.5 million hectares with genetically engineered crops in the 2024/25 cycle, with adoption rates of 99% for soybeans and cotton and 95% for corn.

Marcio Santos, head of Bayer’s crop division in Brazil, said the new seeds represent a significant genetic improvement aimed at helping farmers address evolving production challenges. Bayer said its Intacta technologies have added 21.2 million metric tons to Brazil’s soybean output over the past decade, citing research by consultancy Agroconsult.