Advanced Agricultural Testing for Higher Yields and Better Productivity

Agriculture remains the backbone of global food security, yet producers today face unprecedented pressures from shifting climate conditions to strict international trade regulations, and growing demands for transparency. These and other unforeseen factors can weaken supply chains and business continuity. As such, Cotecna offers various services to help businesses strengthen their supply chains. For the agriculture industry, this includes advanced laboratory testing, a critical driver for productivity, risk reduction, and supply chain integrity. Cotecna is a global testing, inspection and certification service provider leading the charge to enable farmers, exporters, and agri-businesses to meet quality standards and optimize production. 

We believe that improved agriculture productivity requires stronger supply chain management starting from the beginning. For agriculture, quality assurance, through testing, for soil, water, fertilizer, seeds, pest management can significantly improve productivity and yields. To help farmers improve output, Cotecna offers a series of tailored agriculture services to suit their needs.  

A Global Partner for Agriculture Testing 

Cotecna provides a comprehensive suite of agriculture services optimized to help our clients mitigate risk, ensure contractual conformity, and strengthen traceability across supply chains. Our global agriculture business line covers inspections, weighing, sampling, chemical and physical analysis, verification, and certification of various agricultural commodities such as grains, seeds, oils, feed, sugar, vegetables, and more. 

Our global network of experts and technical teams leverage over 50 years of experience, accreditations, advanced laboratory infrastructure, and commitment to fast and accurate results to serve our clients. At Cotecna, we understand that delays and inaccuracies can lead to significant economic losses, and so we work with our clients to tailor solutions delivered through our local operatives.

Advanced Physical and Chemical Testing for Better Crop Decisions 

Cotecna’s agricultural testing laboratories perform physical and chemical analyses on a wide range of products, ensuring compliance with major international regulatory standards and helping market players verify product quality and safety.  

Cotecna agriculture testing supports: 

• Nutritional composition analysis for cereals, oilseeds, and feed
• Moisture and Purity 
• Contaminants and adulteration testing
• Chemical property evaluation for oils, grains, and plant‑based derivatives
• Quality grading to match export specifications 

Cotecna laboratories and technical methodologies ensure precise and repeatable testing outputs, providing agricultural producers and exporters with the data they need to make informed decisions and improve product consistency. 

Enhancing Productivity Through Compliance and Certification 

Beyond testing, Cotecna offers verification and certification services that ensure agricultural products and processes meet national and international standards.  

 These services help: 

• Facilitate smoother market entry
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations
• Boost buyer confidence
• Support sustainability criteria and ESG‑related requirements 

With increasing global scrutiny on food safety, traceability, and ethical production, these services contribute significantly towards a more productive and resilient agricultural value chain.

Verification of Conformity is essential for exporting agricultural commodities into regulated markets. Cotecna works with producers to ensure that their products meet regulatory requirements for the destination market. Cotecna is a trusted VOC partner authorized to issue Certificates of Conformity for several countries. We provide pre-export verification, regulatory checks, and compliance audits for our clients, helping them meet importing country requirements. 

Why Advanced Laboratory Testing Matters More Than Ever 

As the agriculture sector evolves, data‑driven decision‑making has become indispensable. Cotecna’s advanced laboratory testing and agricultural inspection services empower producers, exporters, and regulators to make informed choices that enhance productivity, reduce risk, and ensure compliance. 

By integrating cutting‑edge analytical capabilities with global expertise and industry‑leading inspection teams, Cotecna stands as a pivotal partner in enabling safer, more sustainable, and more efficient agricultural systems around the world. 

Essential Agriculture Tests  

These essential agricultural lab testing options help protect and improve yields:  

1. Soil testing

Soil testing is foundational for determining nutrient availability, pH balance, combination risks, soilborne pathogens and more. 

• Nutrient analysis (N,P,K, micronutrients) using DNA based pathogen detection and culturing methods
• Soilborne pathogen detection using PCR, qPCR, sieving, baiting, and semi-selective media to identify pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes. 

2. Water Testing (Irrigation)

Water quality affects disease spread, salinity stress, and crop health. 

• Pathogen detection in water using filtering, dilution plating, and other microbiological methods for fungi, bacteria, and oomycetes.
• Chemical composition (pH, EC, dissolved ions).  

3. Plant Tissue Testing 

Plant tissue analysis provides real-time insight into crop nutrient uptake and stress indicators. 

•  Nutrient deficiency and heavy metal analysis using ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) technology for accurate detection.
• Comparative nutrient analysis using extensive nutrient concentration libraries to identify deficiencies.
• Sap testing for rapid nutrient monitoring. 

4. Plant Disease Diagnostic Testing 

Essential for identifying pathogens early and preventing crop losses. 

Key diagnostic techniques: 

• PCR and qPCR detect DNA/RNA of pathogens like Phytophthora, Xylella, citrus canker, etc.
• ELISA tests detect specific viral, bacterial, or oomycete antigens (CMV, TMV, TSWV) used for rapid and specific diagnosis.
• Immunostrip (lateral flow) tests for rapid, on-site detection of specific pathogens e.g HVX and Phytophthora spp.
• Culture based pathogen isolation using nutrient agars to isolate fungi, bacteria, nematodes. Part of standard plant, soil, and water pathogen analytical workflows. 

5. Seed Health Testing 

Ensures seeds are free from regulated pathogens and genetically pure. 

• PCR/ELISA testing for seedborne viruses and bacteria
• Genetic purity and variety identification e.g marker-assisted breeding, genotyping, and hybrid purity tests
• High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) for advanced pathogen detection  

6. GMO Testing 

Regulatory and export requirements often include GMO presence/absence verification. 

• Qualitative and quantitative real-time PCR 
• Genetic element detection 

7. Nematode Testing 

Nematodes can severely impact root health and yields. 

• Soil and root nematode identification using DNA based methods and culturing. 

8. Environmental and Contaminant Testing 

Ensures compliance and safety for crops and consumers 

• Heavy metals in plant tissue or soil (ICP analysis).
• Residue testing (fertilizer/compost quality, pesticides, other contaminants). 

Cotecna, a Global Agriculture Partner 

With a global network of over 180 offices and laboratories, Cotecna is present close to key agriculture hubs and markets. Our modern fully equipped laboratories provide cutting edge analytical services optimised to provide timely and accurate support for our clients. 

Zoom on Key Cotecna Agriculture Entities 

Agronômica

Agronômica operates as one of Brazil’s leading phytosanitary diagnostic laboratories, offering: 

• Accurate identification of fungi, bacteria, viruses, invasive plant seeds, insects, and nematodes regulation.
• Reliable testing that supports more assertive decision making across the entire agricultural supply chain.
• Analyses of biological products and inoculants.
• Established leadership in plant health, driven by the deep knowledge and technical expertise of the professionals that make up its team. 

 Agronômica’s precision enables growers and agri-businesses to intervene earlier, reduce losses, and strengthen plant health. 

Baier Testing 

Baier Testing (Shandong Baier Testing Corp., Ltd.) stands out as a comprehensive, highly accredited, and technologically advanced laboratory serving China’s agriculture and agri‑food sectors. Its differentiation comes from broad accreditation, deep analytical capabilities, modern infrastructure, and global backing through the Cotecna Group. 

• CMA qualification accreditation.
• CNAS laboratory accreditation.
• Agricultural, livestock, and forestry CATL certifications.
• Certification testing capabilities for “Three Products and One Geographical Indication” (green food, organic agricultural products, pollution‑free agricultural products, and geographical indication products).
• Animal disease testing qualifications. 

Cotecna Lab Netherlands 

Cotecna Lab Netherlands (acting under the name NofaLab until January 1, 2027), stands out as a high‑precision, highly accredited, and technologically advanced laboratory with deep expertise in food, feed, and environmental safety. Its capabilities make it a valuable partner for ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance, and supply‑chain integrity across agricultural and agri‑food sectors. 

• Specialized Expertise in Food, Feed & Environmental Safety.
• Advanced Chemical, Microbiological Pesticides, GMOs & Dioxin Testing.
• ISO 17025 Accreditation & Strong Regulatory Alignment. 
  • Further recognitions like GMP+, GAFTA, VLOG, etc…
  • High Quality Standards & Daily Quality Routine
• Wide Analytical Portfolio Supporting Agriculture & Food Systems.
• Very fast Turn Around time (TAT) of 3 business days (BD). 
  • Including options for expedited services, like results: 
    • Within the same BD 
    • Within the next BD
    • Within 2 BDs 

Fitosoil 

Fitosoil, is a high‑precision analytical laboratory in Spain known for its advanced soil, water and environmental testing capabilities. Although not exclusively an agricultural lab, its expertise directly supports agricultural productivity, food safety, and environmental sustainability. 

• Offering advanced spectrophotometry & ICP‑MS capabilities
• Microbiology and phytopathology analysis
• Precision testing of iron states critical for agricultural and food‑processing water
• Alignment with WHO guidelines and global quality standards 

GeoChem India 

Geo‑Chem is one of the largest independent inspection and testing organizations in India with 60+ years of expertise, serving nationally and internationally. Geo-Chem agriculture capabilities stem from extensive experience, broad commodity expertise, and a vast international network. 

Geo Chem Laboratories is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in India and recognized by the National Regulators i.e. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Tea Board, Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)  and International Regulators & trade bodies like EU,  Indonesian Quarantine Agency (IQA), Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) Korea, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision of the Russian Federation (FSVPS) Russia, Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA), Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO), Shellac Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Fruitmonitoring (joint system operated by German retailers), Food experts, Fresh Solutions, GMP+. 

Geo-Chem has wide range agri testing capabilities covering major global commodities, including: 

• Cereals & pulses
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Sugar & sugar by‑products
• Animal feed
• Nuts and nut products
• Meals & oilcakes
• Oilseeds and oilseed by‑products
• Spices & condiments 

Geo-Chem supports compliance across multiple global markets by providing: 

• Testing as per international requirements (EU, USA, Russia, Japan, Korea, Middle East, Africa, etc.)
• Regulatory conformity for agricultural exports 
• Quality and quantity verification for fair‑trade practices. This is particularly beneficial for exporters facing complex, multi‑market regulatory obligations. 

Neotron 

Neotron is one of Europe’s most advanced and comprehensive analytical laboratories, specializing in food, supplements, food‑contact materials, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Neotron supports all critical components of the wider agri‑food safety and compliance ecosystem. 

Neotron strengths make it a top‑tier partner for ensuring food quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and supply‑chain integrity. Operating from a single, state‑of‑the‑art 10,000 m² laboratory in Modena, Italy, supporting: 

• Harmonized procedures
• Complete traceability
• Streamlined quality control
• Rapid, coordinated testing workflows 

Neotron delivers a uniquely comprehensive portfolio, including: 

• Chemical analysis
• Biochemical testing
• Microbiological analysis
• Physical and Sensory evaluation 

With over 50 years of experience, 5,000+ accredited tests and nearly 300,000 samples processed annually, Neotron is a leader in high‑precision food safety testing across global markets. 

Shiva Analyticals 

Shiva Analyticals is one of India’s most advanced and widely accredited analytical laboratories, offering high‑precision, multi‑sector testing. Its strengths make it a powerful partner across the agri‑food ecosystem—from nutritional analysis to safety, compliance, and environmental monitoring. 

Founded in 1997, Shiva Analyticals is recognized as one of India’s foremost multi‑disciplinary testing laboratories supporting: 

• Food & Agri
• Pharmaceuticals
• Ores & minerals
• Petroleum & fuels
• Environmental and material testing 

This broad discipline coverage enables integrated analysis across the entire agricultural value chain. 

Suolo e Salute 

Suolo e Salute is one of Italy’s leading organic control and certification body, with one of the widest coverages, over 50 years of experience, and strong reputation in the European organic sector. SeS plays a pivotal role in advancing organic, sustainability, and traceability standards in agriculture. 

Suolo e Salute is the largest organic certification authorities, overseeing:

• 23,500+ certified organic operators
• 700,000+ hectares under inspection
• 30% of all organic farmland in Italy 

Beyond organic certification, Suolo e Salute also provides: 

• Quality agri‑food certifications
• Certifications supporting sustainability and traceability
• Support for diversified quality schemes within Italy’s high‑value food sector 

This makes Suolo e Salute a comprehensive certification partner for premium agricultural markets. 

Why Choose Cotecna 

At Cotecna, we work with our clients to tailor services to meet their needs. We leverage our expertise and agility to create synergy and solutions that strengthen businesses and supply chains. Our global presence means we deliver solutions locally without compromising on quality.  

To learn more about Cotecna Agriculture Services, or to get a free quote, please contact us. 

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About Cotecna 

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.