Importing organic seed and sourcing inputs for a commercial project in Brazil: an example buyer journey

The journey, step by step

1. 1.Match the guarantee route to the sales channels

   Official rule

   To sell as "orgânico" in Brazil, a producer needs certification by a MAPA-accredited certifier (by audit or through an OPAC participatory system), or membership of a MAPA-registered social-control organisation (OCS). OCS producers may sell only directly to consumers and to government purchasing programmes. (Source [1])

   What the example buyer does

   • Because the example buyer sells to supermarkets and a processor, it plans audit certification or an OPAC, not an OCS.
   • It shortlists certifiers from MAPA's list of accredited bodies before buying any seed or input.
   Still to confirm

   • Which certifier accepts the operation, and on what timetable.

2. 2.Agree the conversion plan and seed policy with the certifier

   Official rule

   Portaria MAPA nº 52/2021 sets the technical rules for organic plant production, including the conversion period, the section on seeds and seedlings, the lists of authorised substances and practices and the ban on genetically modified organisms. (Source [3])

   What the example buyer does

   • The buyer asks the certifier how the conversion period applies to its fields and what records start now.
   • It asks in writing which seed it may use if organic seed of its chosen cultivar is not available.
   Still to confirm

   • The conversion period and record format the certifier sets for these fields.

3. 3.Check that the cultivar and the importer may import seed

   Official rule

   Only seed of species or cultivars entered in the national cultivar register (RNC) may be imported, except for VCU or adaptation trials and re-export (IN 25/2017, Art. 7). Imports are made by producers, repackers or traders registered in RENASEM; a person or company importing only for its own use on land it holds is exempt from RENASEM registration (Art. 4). The importer files the import licence in Siscomex and notifies MAPA's state unit (Art. 10); MAPA's seed and plant-health units issue their opinions within ten working days of that notice (Art. 11), and correctable issues get five working days to resolve (Art. 12). (Source [4])

   What the example buyer does

   • The buyer checks the cultivar in the RNC.
   • Because it imports for its own fields, it confirms with its customs broker whether the own-use exemption applies, or uses a RENASEM-registered importer.
   • It asks the supplier for the documents that the import licence and phytosanitary requirements call for.
   Still to confirm

   • Whether this cultivar is entered in the RNC.
   • Which own-use or RENASEM route applies to this buyer.

4. 4.Confirm plant-health requirements for this species and origin

   Official rule

   MAPA controls imports of plant material for pest risk; phytosanitary import requirements depend on the product, its intended use and the country of origin. (Source [5])

   What the example buyer does

   • The buyer asks MAPA's plant-health service or its customs broker which phytosanitary requirements apply to tomato seed from the supplier's country.
   • It asks the supplier to confirm it can issue the phytosanitary certificate with any additional declarations required.
   Still to confirm

   • The phytosanitary requirements for this species and origin on the import date.

5. 5.Treat the European organic certificate as not enough on its own

   Official rule

   Products certified only under foreign standards such as the EU, NOP or JAS are not automatically recognised as organic in Brazil; they must be certified to the Brazilian standard. Under Portaria 52, when organic seed of a cultivar is unavailable, the certifier (or OCS) may authorise other seed, preferring untreated seed. (Sources [1][3])

   What the example buyer does

   • The buyer does not assume the EU certificate makes the seed organic in Brazil.
   • It asks its certifier for a written decision: accept Brazilian-certified organic seed, or authorise untreated seed of the cultivar, or choose another cultivar.
   • It requests an untreated-seed declaration and germination and purity analysis per lot.
   Still to confirm

   • The certifier's written decision on this seed lot.

6. 6.Check each input against Portaria 52 and the import rules

   Official rule

   Inputs produced in organic systems may be certified organic (Portaria 52, Art. 24); inputs from non-organic systems that meet the annexes may receive a certifier's attestation for organic use (Art. 25). MAPA's guidance on import administrative treatments lists a separate authorisation for importing fertilizers and related products. (Sources [3][6])

   What the example buyer does

   • For each fertilizer and biological input, the buyer asks for the label, composition and origin documents for the lot, and any organic certificate or Art. 25 attestation.
   • It sends the list to its certifier before ordering.
   • If an input is imported, it asks its customs broker which MAPA authorisations apply to that product's tariff code.
   Still to confirm

   • The certifier's acceptance of each input for this operation.
   • Which import authorisations apply to any imported input.

7. 7.Verify domestic organic suppliers in the CNPO

   Official rule

   MAPA's national register of organic producers (CNPO) lists certified producers and is usually updated on the 5th, 15th and 25th of each month. A listing confirms registration on that date; it does not prove that a particular lot meets the rules. (Source [2])

   What the example buyer does

   • For Brazilian seedlings or organic inputs, the buyer checks the producer and its certifier in the latest CNPO spreadsheet and matches them to the certificate.
   • It still asks for lot documents.
   Still to confirm

   • Lot-level documents from each domestic supplier.

8. 8.Send one reviewed request through SeedMatch

   Official rule

   SeedMatch Group does not sell, certify, register or import seed or inputs and does not decide organic eligibility. Managed programmes start at USD 250,000; the service is free for buyers.

   What the example buyer does

   • The buyer sends one specification covering seed, inputs, fertigation and screen houses, with the certifications and documents it needs.
   • A sourcing specialist reviews it and approaches suitable suppliers; buyers and suppliers do not contact each other directly, and supplier claims stay unverified until documents are checked.
   Still to confirm

   • Supplier responses, quotes and documents: none are implied by this example.

What is fact, assumption or still to confirm in this example

Documents the example buyer collects

• Certifier's written seed decision (organic seed, or authorised untreated seed of the cultivar)
• RNC entry for the cultivar
• Importer's RENASEM registration, or confirmation that the own-use exemption applies
• Siscomex import licence and MAPA opinions
• Phytosanitary certificate with any required additional declarations
• Germination and purity analysis and an untreated-seed declaration per lot
• For each input: label, composition and origin documents, organic certificate or Art. 25 attestation, and the certifier's acceptance
• CNPO listing and certificate for each domestic organic supplier

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Official MAPA sources, with publication or update dates; read on 25–27 October 2026.

1. Regularização da produção orgânica (certification routes, direct-sale exception, imported products) — Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA), 2026-09-30
2. Cadastro Nacional de Produtores Orgânicos (CNPO): register, spreadsheet of 15 Oct 2026, usual updates on the 5th, 15th and 25th — MAPA, 2026-10-21
3. Portaria MAPA nº 52, de 15 de março de 2021: technical regulation for organic production systems and lists of authorised substances and practices — MAPA, 2021-03-15
4. Instrução Normativa nº 25, de 27 de junho de 2017, as amended by Portaria MAPA nº 475/2022: rules for importing and exporting seeds and seedlings (Arts. 4, 6, 7, 10–12) — MAPA, 2022-08-18
5. Importação – Sanidade Vegetal (plant-health import requirements and controls) — MAPA, 2026-10-27
6. Orientações para interpretação do anexo à Portaria nº 835 de 2025 (import administrative treatments, incl. fertilizer and seed import authorisations) — MAPA, 2025