EN 
PT_BR 
The use of uncertified soybean seeds, including pirated seeds and illegally traded salvaged seeds, continues to expand in Brazil and already represents one of the biggest structural challenges in the soybean production chain. Data consolidated by Céleres Consultoria, with elaboration by the Brazilian Association of Soybean Seed Producers (ABRASS), indicate that, in the 2025/26 crop season, 27% of the planted area in the country will be cultivated with uncertified seeds, equivalent to approximately 13 million hectares.
According to the institutional director of ABRASS, Gladir Tomazelli, part of the problem lies in the distortion between the legal use of saved seeds and their irregular commercialization. “The practice of using seeds produced by the farmer himself has grown significantly in recent years. However, a portion of these seeds, which should be for his own use, ends up being sold illegally, becoming pirated seeds,” he explains.
A drop of four sacks per hectare.
The direct impact of this scenario is felt in productivity. Research indicates that the use of non-certified seeds results, on average, in a drop of four sacks per hectare. Applied to the total area outside the formal system, this reduction represents 2.8 million fewer tons of soybeans produced in the country, in addition to the estimated loss of 1.9 million tons in exports and 0.9 million tons in domestic consumption.
Economic losses
The economic losses are also significant. The survey indicates that 16.4 million bags of certified seeds are not sold, generating losses exceeding R$ 8 billion for the seed sector.
In terms of genetic royalties alone, the impact reaches R$ 590 million, compromising investments in research, innovation, and the development of new cultivars. "We are talking about a domino effect that affects the entire production chain," says Tomazelli, emphasizing: "Fewer certified seeds mean less productivity, less generation of qualified jobs—we estimate about 4,500 fewer direct jobs—and less income circulating in Brazilian agribusiness."
Modernization of plant variety legislation
To address the problem, ABRASS advocates for the modernization of cultivar legislation. The organization supports Bill (PL n. 1702/19) currently being processed in the Chamber of Deputies, which provides for the collection of royalties for genetics on saved seeds. "The approval and regulation of this law will bring more legal certainty to researchers and make the seed market more competitive and balanced," emphasizes Tomazelli.
ABRASS Seal
Beyond the regulatory agenda, the association has invested in practical actions to raise the sector's standards. One of the main projects is the ABRASS Process Certification, developed about four years ago and currently in the audit implementation phase, in partnership with the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). "The objective is to standardize and raise the level of production processes among the associated multipliers, guaranteeing greater regularity and predictability in seed quality," explains Tomazelli.
The initiative should result in the creation of an ABRASS seal for production processes, offering greater security to the farmer at the time of purchase.
According to the president of ABRASS, André Schwening, choosing certified seeds goes beyond legal compliance. “It’s a strategic decision for the producer and for the country. Certified seeds are synonymous with productivity, competitiveness, and economic sustainability. When non-certified seeds gain ground, everyone loses: the farmer, the industry, research, and Brazil,” he states.
Schwening emphasizes that the organization will continue to act institutionally and technically to strengthen the formal market. "ABRASS will continue working to create a more transparent, modern, and sustainable environment where innovation is valued and Brazilian soybean production maintains its global leadership," he highlights.
