Seed company Zeta Semillas enters Argentina's corn market

Zeta Semillas, a company with two decades of experience in sunflower and sorghum seeds, is formally entering Argentina's corn market. This expansion is driven by favorable agricultural conditions, including ample soil moisture and positive climate forecasts linked to El Niño, which are expected to boost corn planting, particularly in key regions.

However, the outlook is not uniform across the country. While the "core region" anticipates a significant increase in planted area, northern Argentina faces ongoing challenges. Pests like spiroplasma and Dalbulus maidis continue to affect crops, leading some producers to favor sunflowers or sorghum over corn. Santiago Zapiola, founder of Zeta Semillas, noted these regional differences, highlighting the cautious approach in the north due to sanitary issues.

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The expectations for the campaign are very good. We start with an excellent soil moisture profile and with the expectation of an El Niño year. The core region is in a position to plant a significant area, very similar to last season.

The company's entry into the corn segment is backed by a robust genetic improvement program. Zeta Semillas has developed hybrids tailored for Argentine conditions, focusing on disease resistance, agronomic performance, and environmental adaptability. They plan extensive comparative trials in 2026 to evaluate their new materials against market leaders.

Zeta Semillas is launching several new hybrids for the upcoming season. These include ZT 8640 for grain and silage in the core and western regions, ZT 8544 for the southeast and southwest of Buenos Aires known for rapid drying, and ZT 8545 CL for maximized performance in the southeastern Buenos Aires region. The company is also offering special hybrids like Flint ZT 8602 F and ZT 8601 F, and a white hybrid, ZT 8609 W, for grain and silage.

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Due to the sanitary problems in the North, mainly from spiroplasma and chicharrita, many producers remain cautious and opt to increase the area of sunflower or sorghum, reducing the area dedicated to corn.