Cotecna Soil Testing Empowers Global Agriculture

As agriculture evolves in response to climate change, growing global demand, and stricter environmental regulations, soil health has become a cornerstone of sustainable food production. The condition of soil directly affects crop yield, quality, and long-term land viability. As a result, accurate, science-based soil testing and analysis is now essential—not just for farmers and producers, but also for agri-input suppliers, exporters, certification bodies, and regulators. 

Cotecna, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, offers advanced soil testing capabilities through a strategically integrated network of laboratories in worldwide- serving critical regions in the global food supply chain. Whether the goal is to boost productivity, meet regulatory requirements, or support ESG reporting, our laboratories provide reliable and actionable data to support informed decision-making. 

Agronômica (Brazil): Advanced Phytosanitary Soil Diagnostics for Sustainable Agriculture 

Brazil stands out globally for its agricultural productivity, but the complexity of soilborne pathogens and regulatory demands requires precise diagnostic tools. Agronômica, Cotecna’s laboratory in Brazil, specializes in phytosanitary soil analyses using standardized protocols to detect and identify organisms such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and pest insects. Located in a key agricultural region, Agronômica supports national and international agricultural compliance by offering cutting-edge techniques including culture isolation, microscopy, and molecular diagnostics such as PCR and DNA sequencing. 

The laboratory plays a vital role in helping farmers, exporters, and agribusinesses ensure the health of their crops, reduce yield losses, and meet phytosanitary standards for plant material movement across borders. Additionally, Agronômica conducts quality, compatibility, and shelf-life testing of biological and inoculant products and evaluates the efficacy of chemical and biological crop treatments under controlled and field conditions. 

As the first private lab in Brazil accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) for pest diagnostics in import/export cargoes, Agronômica has analyzed nearly 300,000 samples and served over 14,000 clients since 2006. The lab is also accredited under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard by INMETRO and actively collaborates with Cotecna Brazil to enhance export services. 

With climate change contributing to the emergence of new soil pathogens, Agronômica continues to expand its capabilities, supporting sustainable practices through bioproduct evaluation and regulatory compliance in Brazil’s dynamic agricultural landscape. 

Baier (China): Science-Based Soil Testing for China’s Agricultural Transition and Soil Health Management 

In China, agriculture is undergoing a transformation. With growing consumer demand for safe, high-quality, and traceable food, the focus has shifted toward precision farming and sustainable input use. Cotecna’s Baier laboratory in China is a trusted partner in this evolution, offering comprehensive soil testing solutions that provide essential technical support for China in enhancing agricultural environmental surveillance, and driving the country’s agricultural sector toward high-end and international development.

Baier provides a wide range of testing services including: 

• Macro and micronutrient analysis
• Soil texture and structure evaluations
• Pesticide residue testing
• Heavy metal content detection
• Soil contamination risk assessment

These services are critical for agricultural producers and growers seeking to optimize fertilization strategies, control risks, transition their agricultural products to organic or green food certification schemes, or meet strict EU and international export regulations. In particular, the lab’s heavy metal and pesticide residue testing capabilities help regulators and agricultural product growers identify and mitigate risks in regions with historical contamination or intensive farming practices. 

Baier’s team brings a strong understanding of China’s regional agricultural diversity—from intensive cash crop cultivation in coastal provinces to extensive grain production in the north. This local expertise, backed by Cotecna’s global network, enables Baier to deliver results that are not only technically accurate but also relevant and immediately applicable to farmers, consultants, and other stakeholders. Notably, Baier served as one of the designated laboratories in China’s extensive Third National Soil Survey and has made meaningful contributions to the country’s land management and environmental monitoring in this landmark initiative. 

As China deepens its commitment to food safety, sustainability, and carbon neutrality, Baier plays a key role in supporting the country’s agricultural resilience and environmental goals. 

Supporting Ukraine’s Agricultural Future Through Soil Testing Excellence 

At Cotecna Ukraine, our laboratory operates with a deep understanding of the country’s export-driven agricultural economy. From producers and cooperatives to international traders, our clients rely on us to meet the increasingly technical requirements of high-value markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. 

We help safeguard trade by identifying biological contaminants that could compromise food safety or trigger regulatory barriers abroad — particularly as global markets tighten their controls on phytosanitary and microbiological risks. 

A Partner in Regenerative and Sustainable Farming 

As Ukraine’s agricultural sector evolves, we are proud to support a growing number of clients who are shifting toward regenerative and conservation agriculture. These producers use our soil testing services to monitor changes in biodiversity, organic matter, and microbial balance, helping them validate their sustainability practices and soil health progress over time. 

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.