BASF has recently established a new legal entity fully dedicated to agriculture. Gustavo Palerosi-Carneiro, Senior Vice President Agricultural Solutions EMEA, said the company expects its legal structures to be in place by the end of 2026, and targeted Initial Public Offering (IPO) readiness by 2027. He explained that the move will allow BASF to sharpen its customer focus and achieve closer integration across seeds and traits, crop protection, BioSolutions and digital farming. He added that the local go-live date for the new structure is expected to be 1 January 2027.
According to Dr Murat Ayaz, Vice President Agricultural Solutions EMEA South, BASF has a long-standing presence in South Africa, with agriculture remaining a strategic priority for the company. He said the firm’s commitment is reflected in continued portfolio expansion, strong local teams, farmer support and long-term partnerships rather than short-term market cycles. He added that Africa, and South Africa in particular, is viewed as a key catalyst for growth.
Ayaz emphasised that the intention is not to reduce or withdraw investment, but to increase focus and agility in supporting growth in markets such as South Africa. Palerosi-Carneiro added that the restructuring is designed to strengthen the market rather than retreat from it. He said BASF aims to build a sustainable future for agriculture by connecting innovation, customers and society, noting that both global and local agricultural challenges require constant adaptation and improvement. He stressed the importance of science-based regulation, predictable trade frameworks and policies that enable farmers to remain competitive while advancing sustainability.
Palerosi-Carneiro said farmers invest in solutions that protect yields and reduce risk, and that BASF’s innovations must deliver measurable on-farm value through improved performance, longer-lasting efficacy and stronger sustainability outcomes. He added that value should be assessed in practical farm performance rather than price alone. Through tailored training, stewardship programmes, accessible agronomic support and partnerships, BASF aims to extend the benefits of technology across different farming segments and help farmers manage on-farm challenges.
David Leiño Calleja, Country Manager for South Africa, reiterated that BASF’s investments will be driven by innovation, including new product launches such as Revysol, stewardship initiatives and the strengthening of local expertise. He said the company focuses investment where it can create value for farmers and food systems. While weather events cannot be controlled, BASF seeks to build resilience by providing tools that protect yields under stress, climate-smart practices, agronomic advice and innovations that support faster recovery.
Calleja added that BASF’s approach includes solutions that improve crop health, reduce disease pressure in wet seasons, support drought resilience through improved agronomy and use digital tools to enhance decision-making in volatile conditions. He said the company’s primary role is to enable farmers through technology, training and partnerships, and that in extreme situations BASF works with sector stakeholders to support farming communities beyond product supply.
Addressing issues of trust and public scrutiny, Dr Ayaz said the future of agriculture depends on integration. He noted that while the industry is highly regulated and chemical crop protection remains important, it is increasingly complemented by biological solutions, digital precision and stewardship practices designed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining food security. Responsible crop protection, he said, involves using the right product at the right time and in the right way. BASF continues to invest in safer innovations, regulatory compliance and stewardship to protect ecosystems and position itself as a comprehensive partner to agriculture.
Ayaz added that through life-cycle approaches, efficiency improvements, digital tools and solutions that enable farmers to produce more with fewer resources and lower emissions intensity, BASF aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per tonne of crop produced.
Members of the BASF global and regional executive:
- Gustavo Palerosi-Cemeiro, Senior Vice President Agricultural Solutions, EMEA
- Dr Murat Ayaz, Vice President Agricultural Solutions EMEA South
- David Leiño Calleja, Country Manager for South Africa
- Duan Viljoen, Head of Sales, BASF South Africa
- Sean Brereton-Stiles, Head of Marketing South & Southern Africa at BASF