AGP Executive Report

BRICS & AI Push: At the New Delhi summit, BRICS leaders backed AI cooperation and “digital sovereignty,” with China proposing a BRICS AI open-source community to jointly develop and apply large language models. Diplomacy & Trade Links: Venezuela and Slovenia reviewed steps to raise diplomatic representation and expand trade, including using European logistics platforms for non-oil sectors. US–Venezuela Drug Policy: The US removed Venezuela from major drug transit/production countries, citing interim-government cooperation against cartels. Agribusiness Signals: USDA lifted US corn price expectations and adjusted global supply assumptions, including smaller Brazil corn exports tied to higher ethanol use. Brazil Fintech Expansion: Nubank launched in the US via a partner-bank model, adding a multicurrency digital account ahead of its path toward a full banking license. Energy Infrastructure: Equinor plans to expand LNG volumes in the early 2030s, targeting Europe and Asia as Hormuz disruptions reshape supply routes. Rare Earths Project: Viridis Mining’s Colossus rare-earths work in Minas Gerais moved forward with Sedgman (ACS) as preferred EPCM contractor.

Automotive Manufacturing: Renault Geely do Brasil started local production of the Geely EX5 EM-i Super Hybrid at the modernized Ayrton Senna complex in Curitiba, with the plant upgraded to build multiple propulsion types and to support EV production from December 2026. Energy Regulation: Brazil’s Aneel approved a regulatory sandbox for Energias da Floresta to test new ways to expand electricity access in the Legal Amazon and other isolated regions, targeting millions still outside the national interconnected system. Mining & Critical Minerals: Brazilian Rare Earths (ASX:BRE) says diamond drilling at Monte Alto in Bahia extended high-grade rare-earth mineralization and reshaped its development study around a tighter, higher-grade focus. Offshore Oil Supply Chain: Vallourec won a major Subsea7 contract for Petrobras’ Sepia 2 pre-salt project, supplying ~130 km of sour-service line pipe plus thermal insulation coating, produced in Minas Gerais and coated in Espírito Santo. Industrial Safety & Land Use: Global Witness reported 124 land and environmental defenders killed in 2025, with Latin America the deadliest region and Brazil among the worst-hit countries. Agribusiness Politics: At Brazil’s Barretos rodeo, farmers and ranchers rallied behind Flavio Bolsonaro, blaming Lula for high taxes and signaling strong support for the agribusiness agenda ahead of October elections.

BRICS in New Delhi: The 18th BRICS Summit ended with a 140-paragraph New Delhi Declaration focused on trade, finance, technology rules, and energy security—while underscoring how hard it is for a bloc with rival security interests to act like a single alliance. Amazon mining pressure: A new IPAM analysis says gold mining is expanding fastest on Indigenous lands in Brazil’s Amazon, with mining areas far larger than decades ago and rising deforestation plus mercury contamination. Auto investment in Brazil: Renault and Geely will invest €319 million in Brazil via their joint venture, adding capacity and new models, with Hybrid E-Tech flex-fuel tech slated for 2027. Agtech expansion: xFarm Technologies bought Sibium Analytics to serve over 80% of Brazil’s sugarcane area with geospatial intelligence and ESG management. Offshore services deal: SED Energy Holdings and Ventura Offshore agreed an all-share merger to combine drilling and geophysical services, keeping Ventura as a deepwater contractor. Cybersecurity: Researchers flagged a Brazilian banking malware operation (“KREMLIN”) using malicious browser extensions and blockchain-linked infrastructure to steal credentials and session data. Trade & logistics: WTO warns trade fragmentation could cut global GDP by over 5%, adding pressure on exporters and supply chains.

Tariff Talks: Brazil and the U.S. are lining up fresh in-person negotiations on U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods, with Development/Industry/Trade Minister Marcio Elias Rosa expected to meet USTR Jamieson Greer at the G20 in late September; Brazil says it rejects unilateral tariffs but will keep dialogue open. Energy & Sovereignty: Ahead of Brazil’s election season, Lula reiterated plans to keep oil and critical minerals under national control, pushing domestic industry and jobs instead of exporting raw materials. Oil & Gas Supply Chain: Petrobras awarded Strohm (and Strohm Brasil) a contract for thermoplastic composite pipe for Brazil’s post-salt offshore cluster, targeting water injection and gas lift at up to 1,500 meters. Power Modernization: SPIC Brasil and GE Vernova completed modernization of São Simão hydro unit 3, part of a six-unit upgrade meant to extend operations for decades. Critical Minerals & Rare Earths: St George Mining updated its Araxá resource in Minas Gerais, boosting the rare-earth/niobium district’s scale and investor attention. Trade & Industry Tech: Rx Networks launched TruePoint.CM, an enterprise-grade Network RTK positioning service for surveying, precision agriculture, mining, construction and robotics across North America and Latin America. Logistics Pressure: Shipping rates are near a three-year high as costs surge, adding strain to industrial supply chains.

BRICS Diplomacy & Trade: The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi ended with the Delhi Declaration after tough wording talks, with India pushing “resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability” and leaders trying to keep major conflicts off the text while still aligning on supply-chain stability and wider Global South influence. Brazilian Media & Sports Industry: EBC is sponsoring the Women’s International Football Summit in Rio, backing TV Brasil panels and a Petrobras “Para Elas” award to professionalize women’s football and grow its business ecosystem. Agribusiness Inputs Under Pressure: Brazil-linked fertilizer strain is echoed by global sulfur shortages driving phosphate costs; Mosaic says it has idled production in Brazil as sulfur prices surged above $1,000/ton, warning farmers may face both higher prices and availability risks. Energy & Manufacturing Supply Chains: Solar keeps getting cheaper globally (down to about 12 cents per watt), and the shift is accelerating in emerging markets including Brazil, reshaping how utilities plan generation and distribution. Finance & Banking Risk: Brazil’s Banco Master case adds a new allegation that Central Bank staff reviewed drafts before submission, raising stakes in one of the country’s biggest fraud probes. Logistics & Retail Expansion: Juan Valdez is accelerating Brazil growth with new airport retail in Guarulhos, aiming for 10 stores by year-end via franchising.

Hydropower Expansion in Brazil: Âmbar Energia will invest R$60m to expand and modernize the Salto do Passo Velho small hydropower plant in Santa Catarina, boosting capacity from 1.8MW to 11.75MW, with work due to finish in Dec 2030. BRICS Trade & Payments: The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi ended with a push for settling cross-border deals in members’ own currencies and smoother payment mechanisms, while India’s push for payment-system/CBDC interoperability was notably left out of the final declaration. “Greater BRICS” Tech Push: Xi Jinping outlined initiatives spanning AI, smart manufacturing, digital industry and supply-chain stability, including a BRICS AI open-source zone. Amazon Electrification for Food Processing: A battery microgrid in Brazil’s Amazonas will replace unreliable diesel power for an açaí processing facility, targeting up to 36,000 liters/year and new local income. Deal Watch (Mining & Ag Inputs): Solar Industries agreed to acquire South Africa’s Omnia Holdings for about R21.8bn, aiming to expand across southern Africa’s mining and agriculture markets. Brazil Industry Outreach: Brazilian machinery firms will seek Latin American buyers at FIB 2026 via ABIMAQ/ApexBrasil business meetings (Sep 28–Oct 2). AI in Healthcare Education: Geneva College of Longevity Science launched Perceptors AI, an agentic learning platform for mass clinical certification across 100+ institutions, including expansion plans for Brazil. Local Disruption: São Paulo’s building collapse after intense rains raised deaths to six, with the site now shifting to forensic and safety authorities.

BRICS Summit Outcomes: India’s 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi ended with a 140-point New Delhi Declaration, pushing cross-border payments, national-currency trade, supply-chain resilience, and AI governance—while Modi warned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals. Open-Source AI Push: Xi announced a BRICS AI Open Source Zone and a plan for a BRICS service-trade forum next year, aiming to turn the bloc into a practical platform for Global South development. Brazil Politics Meets Industry Risk: Brazil’s Supreme Court unsealed an investigation tied to the financing of a Bolsonaro biopic, potentially adding uncertainty ahead of October elections. Food & Livestock Pressure: USDA forecasts a steep drop in US egg receipts in 2026, while cattle futures show a corrective pullback as cash trade remains thin. Mining & Energy Supply Chains: China’s green mining tech drew attention as BRICS leaders highlighted critical minerals; separately, potash mine drilling in Canada moves toward production—an example of how new capacity is being mapped. Agriculture for Drylands: Dryland Congress 2026 adopted a Delhi Declaration calling for South-South cooperation to boost dryland farming and food security.

BRICS Summit Watch: At the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, PM Narendra Modi pushed “Greater BRICS” practical cooperation, warning that “weaponising” technology and critical minerals could slow development, while leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration on resilience, innovation, trade and sustainability. Nuclear & Security: BRICS voiced concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and flagged rising nuclear danger and conflict risks. Trade & Payments: India’s BRICS sherpa Sudhakar Dalela said there’s no plan for a BRICS common currency, but local-currency settlement and cross-border payment mechanisms are being explored to cut transaction costs. Energy & Logistics: Modi and partners stressed secure sea lanes and supply chains amid Middle East disruptions, with Egypt’s Sisi calling for stronger ports, corridors and logistics links. Food & Agriculture: FAO reported global food prices rose in August, citing climate shocks and disrupted trade logistics. Brazil-Linked Industry Angle: With Brazil in BRICS and major agribusiness exposure, the summit’s focus on supply-chain resilience and agro-ecology lands directly on Brazil’s export competitiveness. Global Supply Chain Risk: Reuters also flagged a Mexico crypto-mining farm allegedly used for cartel money laundering—another reminder of how tech and infrastructure can be abused.

BRICS Summit (New Delhi) — Leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, pushing for maximum restraint in West Asia, condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, and calling for peaceful dispute resolution plus deeper cross-border trade and energy flow. Food & Agribusiness — BRICS backed work on a common grain exchange to cut price swings and improve food security, while the bloc also flagged fertilizer shortages as a key risk. AI & Digital Industry — The declaration calls for wider access to AI resources and stronger cooperation to keep tech safe, secure, inclusive, and reliable. Brazil Trade Angle — Egypt reported $6.6B in exports to BRICS in the first half of 2026, with Brazil among key importers—useful context for Brazilian exporters watching BRICS demand. Energy/Shipping Risk — Multiple BRICS statements tied regional tensions to sea-lane safety and supply-chain stability, a direct concern for Brazil’s logistics and industrial inputs.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi: India opened the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit as wars in West Asia and Ukraine, energy stress, and trade friction set the tone, with Xi Jinping arriving for talks with Modi and a focus on resilience, innovation, and multilateralism. Energy & shipping pressure: Iran’s Pezeshkian floated reopening the Strait of Hormuz only if US pressure on Iranian ports ends, while leaders also stressed freedom of navigation and seafarer safety. Local-currency push (but no de-dollarisation pledge): BRICS finance officials kept language cautious, emphasizing interoperable payments and local-currency settlement without calling for a single BRICS currency. India-UAE industrial ties: Modi met Abu Dhabi’s crown prince on trade corridors and investment, including a reported $11.5bn Odisha greenfield aluminium project—highlighting logistics and manufacturing cooperation. Brazil election shock: In Brasília, Flavio Bolsonaro faced a corruption and money-laundering probe tied to alleged financing of a film about his father, weeks before Brazil’s October vote.

BRICS Summit Watch: Leaders are arriving in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, with India trying to keep the bloc relevant amid Iran-US tensions, the Ukraine war, and rivalry between China and India. Payments & Trade Rails: India’s Piyush Goyal pushed BRICS to link payment systems (including UPI-style interoperability), expand local-currency trade, and cut red tape for faster customs clearance. Energy & Shipping Pressure: Iran’s Pezeshkian warned against any country obstructing legitimate trade and called for stronger BRICS cooperation as economic pressure intensifies. Brazil Macro: Brazil’s inflation cooled to 4.22% year-on-year in August, with prices down 0.32% month-on-month—fueling expectations of another rate cut. Brazil Politics Meets Finance: Brazil’s judiciary opened/expanded probes into presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro over alleged money laundering and other crimes tied to financing the “Dark Horse” film. Pharma Industrial Policy: Biocon secured a 10-year pertuzumab biosimilar supply contract for Brazil’s public system under the PDP program, aiming to localize production over time. Global LNG Shift: QatarEnergy is negotiating long-term LNG supply with US exporters as Middle East disruptions reshape gas markets.

BRICS Summit Watch: Putin arrived in New Delhi as Xi and Iran’s Pezeshkian also confirmed for the 12–13 Sept leaders’ meeting, with India pushing its 2026 theme of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability amid Ukraine and West Asia tensions. Business & Trade: At the BRICS Business Forum, India’s Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged market opening, smoother rules, and faster clearance to turn cooperation into real deals. Finance Talks: India’s Sitharaman met Russia’s Manturov to advance negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and deepen financial services links. Brazil-EU Pressure: Brazil’s EU ambassador warned the EU’s ban on Brazilian meat could derail the EU-Mercosur deal and hit exporters. Agri & Commodities: Soybeans dipped in Chicago after China’s pre-summit buying, while Brazil’s soy exports were projected to stay strong. Industrial Supply Chains: Lightera is expanding optical fibre manufacturing for AI data-centre demand, including Brazil-linked capacity.

Fuel Prices & Tax Policy: Brazil’s Lula signed measures to cut fuel taxes and subsidize ethanol, gasoline and blends for 30 days as Brent topped $100 amid Middle East supply risks. Amazon Fund Uncertainty: Amazon Fund grantees warn a post-election funding freeze could reverse progress after deforestation hit a decade low. BRICS Diplomacy & Trade: Lula will skip the New Delhi BRICS summit, sending Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, while the agenda spotlights food, energy and supply-chain resilience as Xi and Putin arrive. Payments & Pix Lessons: UK payments leaders back a National Payments Vision but only 29% feel confident; they cite Pix as a key takeaway for governance and delivery. Rare Earths & Permitting: A judge suspended Sigma Lithium’s environmental licenses over consultation disputes with quilombola communities, while USA Rare Earth advanced its Serra Verde acquisition for rare-earth oxide ramp-up. Labor & Supply Chains: Brazil rescued 479 people from labor analogous to slavery in August, with coffee and construction among the hardest-hit sectors. Aviation Retail Expansion: Avolta won two 11-year food & beverage contracts at Brasília airport, adding a Johnnie Walker hybrid concept. Industrial Investment: Vallourec broke ground in Espírito Santo on a new production line for subsea thermal insulation coating tech, boosting offshore capability.

BRICS Summit in New Delhi: Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and the expanded bloc (including Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia) will meet Sept. 12-13, with India pushing a “resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability” agenda amid geopolitical strain. Energy & trade pressure: The Iran conflict and US sanctions campaign are set to test BRICS unity, while India’s BRICS trade deficit has ballooned to $226.1bn as imports surge faster than exports. Aerospace supply chains: Embraer is looking to deepen manufacturing in India via more local sourcing and integration into its global aerospace supply chain. Industrial decarbonisation at sea: Asyad Shipping and Vale marked a milestone with the first wind-assisted Valemax call in Oman using rotor sails to cut fuel use. Materials & mining finance: Alcoa announced a $2.6bn notes offering to fund its South32 bauxite/alumina/aluminium asset acquisition, including operations in Brazil. Plastics circularity: The Alliance to End Plastic Waste reported cutting 138,162 tonnes of unmanaged plastic waste in 2025 and mobilizing $641m in funding. Fuel policy: Brazil increased diesel subsidies and cut taxes on gasoline and ethanol as Brent stays near $100. AI in media: Brazilian journalists are split over newsroom use of generative AI and what “authorship” should mean. Tech investment: IVEX raised €5m to scale AI-powered automotive safety testing, aiming for North America and Asia.

Logistics & Industry Investment: FedEx is investing R$75m in Brazil to expand international capacity and supply-chain operations, adding 34 sites and upgrading logistics centers in Cajamar (SP) and Jaboatão dos Guararapes (PE), after exiting domestic delivery. Agribusiness & Costs: McKinsey’s Global Farmer Insights finds Brazilian farmers (along with others) are cutting or delaying spending as margins tighten, with fertilizer and equipment the first areas targeted. Food Exports & Trade Friction: Brazil’s chicken and pork export momentum is in focus amid EU pressure, including suspensions and talks tied to animal-product rules. Energy & Critical Minerals: Brazil’s rare-earth push continues as the Senate advances a rare-earths bill and new projects move forward, while global demand for critical minerals keeps reshaping industrial strategy. Policy Watch: Lula’s government is reportedly preparing new betting restrictions, with discussion of potentially ending sports betting—an unusual move with knock-on effects for regulated services. BRICS & Global Trade: Ahead of the New Delhi summit (Sep. 12-13), coverage highlights BRICS’ agenda around resilience, energy security, and institutional reforms, with Brazil watching how bloc dynamics could affect trade and investment.

BRICS Summit Watch: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 12-13, with leaders pushing a people-centred agenda on trade, investment, financial cooperation and UN/international finance reform. Food & Agri Industry: A new look at LATAM food manufacturing highlights how Grupo Bimbo and Nestlé are expanding locally while General Mills pulls back, as climate stress, weak infrastructure and security risks reshape supply chains. Rare Earths & Mining: Aclara signed a JV with Japan’s JOGMEC to explore heavy rare earths in Brazil, with Japan funding up to $3m over three years and options to expand. Brazil Food Politics: Lula’s “picanha for all” promise is back in the spotlight as beef prices keep climbing ahead of the election. Construction & Security Hardware: At FEICON BATIMAT and EXPOSEC, smart access control and certified smart locks remain a key theme for Brazil’s building and security market, with emphasis on INMETRO/ANATEL compliance and durability in local conditions. Cyber Risk for SMBs: Kaspersky reports most SMBs faced cyber incidents in the past year, with phishing and ransomware among the most damaging threats.