Belgium-based BioFirst Group has completed the purchase of the remaining 14.71% minority stake in Brazilian biological crop-inputs company Biotrop, moving to full ownership of the business. The company announced the transaction on 5 October 2026, identifying Aqua Capital and Zempar among the outgoing minority shareholders. This is a final minority-interest buyout, not BioFirst’s first acquisition of a controlling position in Biotrop.
The company’s original announcement says the buyout took place ahead of the previously envisaged timetable and is intended to simplify ownership and integration across BioFirst’s biological crop-protection operations. The consideration for the latest 14.71% stake was not disclosed. Corporate strategic benefits are management expectations rather than independently demonstrated financial results.
The controlling acquisition happened in 2023
In December 2023, BioFirst’s Biobest business closed an acquisition of approximately 85% of Biotrop. That earlier transaction established group control and set out an eventual route to acquire the remaining interest. October 2026 changes the ownership percentage and integration framework; it does not indicate that all of Biotrop was purchased for the first time this month.
BioFirst says Biotrop’s leadership remains involved in the wider group, with Antonio Zem continuing as a board member. These governance arrangements should not be confused with minority shareholders retaining ownership of the now fully acquired subsidiary.
What it means for greenhouse biologicals
BioFirst’s Biobest division supplies biological pest control and pollination solutions used by commercial greenhouse growers. Biotrop, by contrast, primarily markets microbial biopesticides, biostimulants and inoculants to Brazilian open-field row and specialty crops. Its portfolio should not be characterised as mainly greenhouse-oriented.
For greenhouse-sector readers, the transaction is relevant to the global supplier group’s ownership and possible future coordination across different biological technologies. BioFirst describes opportunities for operational integration, but it has not disclosed new greenhouse products, customer contracts or changes in grower pricing resulting directly from this buyout.
What remains unknown
The October transaction price, integration costs and any incremental effect on sales to commercial greenhouse customers have not been published. Future product cross-selling and measurable synergies remain to be proven.
Key takeaways
- BioFirst has completed the residual 14.71% purchase and now fully owns Brazilian Biotrop.
- The group had already acquired a controlling approximately 85% stake in 2023.
- Biotrop mainly serves open-field and specialty crops; direct commercial greenhouse benefits have not been confirmed.
