EY Acquires MB Agro to Expand Latam Agribusiness Advisory

EY has agreed to acquire MB Agro, a Brazilian agribusiness consulting and market intelligence boutique, in a move aimed at strengthening its strategic advisory capabilities and expanding its sector expertise across Latin America’s agricultural industry.

The transaction integrates MB Agro’s market intelligence, economic analysis, and sector advisory services into EY’s regional consulting platform, reinforcing the firm’s ability to support agribusiness clients with market forecasting, risk analysis, mergers and acquisitions, investment strategy, and credit-related decisions.

Based in Brazil, MB Agro is recognized for its work with financial institutions, large agricultural producers, cooperatives, trading companies and investors throughout the agribusiness value chain. The company specializes in macroeconomic analysis, sector projections, strategic reviews and intelligence reports focused on agricultural markets.

As part of the agreement, agribusiness specialists Alexandre Mendonça de Barros and José Carlos Hausknecht will join EY as partners. Mendonça de Barros is known for his macroeconomic analysis of agribusiness, including market projections, rural credit and sector trends, while Hausknecht is recognized for his work on agricultural market conditions, sector analysis, and projections related to Brazilian agribusiness.

“The depth of technical expertise that Alexandre, José Carlos and their team bring represents a significant complement to our portfolio. This addition enhances our ability to provide diagnostics that guide key market decisions, now integrated into a global and multidisciplinary platform,” said Luiz Sérgio Vieira, CEO, EY Brazil and Latam Deputy Managing Partner.

According to Mendonça de Barros, the integration comes at a time when agribusiness companies increasingly require data-driven analysis to navigate volatility linked to climate conditions, costs, global demand and geopolitics. 

“Our history began in the 1970s in macroeconomic, sector and scenario analysis. Since 2005, we have focused on agribusiness, and now we are taking a new step. At a moment when understanding the interaction between climate, costs, demand and geopolitics is essential for sound decision-making, EY will provide the scale and capabilities to transform complex data into strategic drivers for the entire value chain,” he said.

All MB Agro employees will be integrated into EY’s operations. The company’s active client portfolio and ongoing projects will also be incorporated, subject to regulatory approvals and authorization requirements. Subscription-based intelligence products and sector reports will be distributed through EY Brazil’s structure while maintaining the technical standards recognized by the market.

“Our integration further strengthens the ability to support a complex sector with precision. Agribusiness requires technical analysis based on consistent data to anticipate market movements and reduce uncertainty. I am confident we will deliver even more complete, strategic and accurate services,” Hausknecht said.

Otávio Lopes, Agribusiness Leader, EY, said the integration was designed to ensure continuity for current clients while significantly expanding the firm’s service portfolio and delivery capabilities across the Brazilian agribusiness sector.

The acquisition also reinforces the role of EY’s Agribusiness Center of Excellence in Ribeirão Preto, which focuses on accelerating sector development through technology, innovation and specialized knowledge. The center connects companies, startups, universities and research institutions across the agricultural value chain.

The transaction reflects growing demand in Latin America’s agribusiness sector for integrated consulting services combining market intelligence, risk assessment, technology and strategic advisory as agricultural companies face increasing pressure from climate volatility, financing needs, supply chain shifts and global trade dynamics.