Pioneering Partnerships: Israeli Company Casterra's Castor Collaboration with Brazilian Farmers

Israeli firm Casterra is setting its sights on partnering with Brazilian farmers to boost castor crop cultivation, aimed at satisfying the growing demand for biofuels. The company intends to cultivate an expanse of 200,000 hectares within five years, according to CEO and Chairman Ofer Haviv.

Currently, castor is a minor player in Brazil's agricultural scene, with Conab projecting only 76,200 hectares by the 2025/26 season while soy spans 48.5 million hectares. However, Casterra sees immense potential, having already executed successful trials in Bahia state and foresees the cultivation area surging to one million hectares over the next decade.

To realize this vision, Casterra plans significant investments, ranging from $5 to $10 million, to establish robust marketing and agronomic support teams and a seed production facility. Additionally, the company is collaborating with Italian partners to enhance harvesting techniques and seed performance, preparing for a commercial launch in the safrinha of 2027.

(With inputs from agencies.)