EY Brazil to Acquire MB Agro, Expanding Agribusiness Consulting Capabilities

Why It Matters

The integration gives EY Brazil a robust, sector‑specific intelligence engine, allowing clients to navigate climate, credit and geopolitical risks more effectively. It positions EY as a dominant advisory player in one of the world’s largest agricultural markets.

Key Takeaways

• EY Brazil acquires MB Agro, adding agribusiness consulting expertise
• Founders Alexandre Barros and José Hausknecht become EY Brazil partners
• MB Agro's subscription intelligence reports will be offered through EY platform
• Acquisition expands EY's Agribusiness Center of Excellence in Ribeirão Preto
• Integration strengthens data‑driven decision support for Brazil's agricultural sector

Pulse Analysis

Brazil’s agribusiness sector accounts for roughly 30% of the country’s GDP and is a critical node in global food supply chains. EY Brazil has long leveraged its audit and tax expertise to serve large producers, cooperatives, and financial institutions, but the rapid convergence of climate volatility, commodity price swings, and shifting trade policies has heightened demand for granular, forward‑looking analysis. By folding MB Agro’s decades‑old macro‑economic modeling and scenario‑planning capabilities into its platform, EY can now deliver real‑time, data‑driven insights that help clients hedge risk and capitalize on emerging market opportunities.

MB Agro’s niche lies in subscription‑based intelligence products—sector reports, credit risk assessments, and investment outlooks—that are already trusted by Brazil’s top agribusiness lenders and traders. These deliverables complement EY’s broader consulting toolkit, enabling a seamless handoff from strategic diagnosis to implementation across audit, tax, M&A, and valuation services. The addition of founders Alexandre Mendonça de Barros and José Carlos Hausknecht as partners injects deep sector credibility and expands EY’s thought leadership pipeline, ensuring that proprietary research remains at the forefront of client engagements.

Strategically, the acquisition signals EY’s intent to dominate the advisory landscape in a market where data precision is a competitive moat. With the Agribusiness Center of Excellence in Ribeirão Preto now bolstered by MB Agro’s analytical engine, EY can offer end‑to‑end solutions—from climate‑impact modeling to supply‑chain financing—that are essential for both domestic players and multinational investors eyeing Brazil’s fertile lands. This move not only strengthens EY’s market share but also sets a benchmark for integrated agribusiness consulting in emerging economies.

Deal Summary

EY Brazil announced it will acquire MB Agro, a Brazilian agribusiness consulting boutique, to strengthen its agribusiness advisory and market intelligence services. The deal, pending regulatory approval, will bring MB Agro's team, client portfolio, and subscription‑based intelligence products into EY Brazil. Two MB Agro founders will join EY Brazil as partners.