São Paulo-based agribusiness finance platform Agrolend has secured $53 million in Series C funding, bringing its total capital raised to nearly $100 million. The latest round of investment was led by impact investor Creation Investments and Syngenta Group Ventures, with additional participation from Vivo Ventures, L4, and Japan’s Norinchukin Bank. Current investors Valor Capital, Lightrock, Yara Growth Ventures, SP Ventures, and others also contributed to the round.

Expanding Financial Support for Agribusiness

The funds will be utilized to expand Agrolend’s credit offerings, which primarily support small- and medium-sized farmers. The company, founded in 2020, is focused on providing farmers with accessible loans for the purchase of essential agricultural inputs such as seeds and crop protection products. By leveraging its digital-native platform, Agrolend has streamlined the lending process, allowing farmers to access credit quickly and efficiently.

Agrolend co-founder and CEO André Glezer expressed enthusiasm about the company’s future, noting that the funding will allow Agrolend to significantly grow its lending capacity. "This Series C round demonstrates the market’s confidence in our business model and prepares us for the next stage of growth," said Glezer. "We are excited to expand our financing capacity for farmers, especially at a time when credit in agribusiness is becoming increasingly challenging to secure."

Brazilian farmers, particularly smallholders, face significant barriers when it comes to accessing credit. These farms make up about 75% of all agricultural operations in the country. Recent economic conditions, including falling soybean and corn prices, have further tightened profit margins, making access to affordable credit more crucial than ever. In addition to these challenges, Brazil's high interest rates have squeezed farmers' margins, leading to an increase in non-performing loans.

Simplifying the Loan Process for Farmers

One of Agrolend’s key innovations is its use of a streamlined, digital-first system that allows farmers to bypass much of the traditional bureaucracy typically associated with securing loans. Loans are formalized through the issuance of a Cédula de Produto Rural Financeira (CPR-F), a financial instrument commonly used in Brazilian agribusiness, and can be signed by the farmer via WhatsApp, making the entire process seamless. From request to loan approval, the process takes approximately two days.

Agrolend's approach has earned it a BBB+ investment-grade rating from Moody’s, further solidifying its position as a reliable player in the Brazilian agrifinance sector. The company operates in more than 15 states across Brazil and supports various agricultural sectors, including soybeans, corn, coffee, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.

Global Investors Show Confidence in Agrolend’s Model

The strong backing from global investors, including major players such as Syngenta Group Ventures and Norinchukin Bank, highlights the growing international confidence in Agrolend’s innovative business model. Syngenta’s involvement underscores the strategic importance of providing farmers with affordable, efficient access to agricultural inputs. Similarly, the participation of Norinchukin Bank, a leading agricultural bank in Japan, signals global interest in Agrolend's scalable solution for financing agribusiness.

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In addition to these partnerships, Agrolend has built an extensive distribution network, including over 150 partners such as agricultural retailers, cooperatives, and industries. This network allows the company to offer credit at the point of sale, significantly improving convenience for farmers and ensuring they have the financial support needed when making critical agricultural purchases.

Plans for Future Growth

With this new round of funding, Agrolend aims to expand its credit portfolio to $600 million and serve approximately 10,000 small- and medium-sized farmers across Brazil. CEO André Glezer noted that the company’s growth strategy will remain conservative, with plans to keep its leverage ratio low to minimize risk while maximizing impact. "Leverage will be kept at a comfortable level, maintaining a tier 1 capital ratio above 20%," said Glezer.

Agrolend’s continued focus on sustainable, low-risk growth has positioned it as a key player in Brazil's agribusiness sector. As the company continues to expand its offerings, it will play an increasingly important role in supporting the nation’s farmers and helping them navigate the financial challenges of the current agricultural landscape.

As Brazil’s agribusiness sector faces growing pressures from economic shifts and environmental concerns, Agrolend’s innovative approach to financing is providing much-needed relief to farmers across the country. The company’s $53 million Series C funding round marks a significant step forward in its mission to expand access to credit for small- and medium-sized farmers. By simplifying the loan process and partnering with global investors, Agrolend is well-positioned to drive growth and sustainability in Brazil’s agricultural sector for years to come.