Partnership combines Grupo Cereal's producer-focused expertise with Zen-Noh Global's international reach to support agricultural growth and strengthen Brazil's agribusiness value chain.

São Paulo, October 2026 — Zen-Noh Brasil Trading Ltda. (Zen-Noh Brasil) and Grupo Cereal announce the completion of their strategic partnership, marking a new phase of collaboration focused on strengthening the agribusiness value chain in Brazil. Upon closing of the transaction, announced in July of this year, Zen-Noh Brasil now holds a 30% ownership stake in Grupo Cereal, while the Barauna family retains 70% ownership and continues to lead the business. The transaction was formalized following approval by the relevant regulatory authorities, including the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).

 The partnership unites the tradition of Grupo Cereal, one of Brazil's largest agribusiness conglomerates who serves alongside rural producers in grain origination, inputs, processing, and renewable energy – and the global market access, supply chain capabilities, and international expertise of Zen-Noh Global, one of the world's largest agricultural cooperatives. Together, the organizations are well positioned to support continued growth, invest in agricultural development, and deliver greater value across the supply chain.

 “We are very proud to officially welcome Grupo Cereal as a strategic partner. The completion of this partnership connects two organizations that share a commitment to serving producers and customers and strengthening the future of agriculture. Together, we will build on the strong foundation that already exists, investing in people, infrastructure, and relationships that create lasting value across the agribusiness value chain,” said Ricardo Capone, President of Zen-Noh Brasil.

 With the partnership in effect, the companies begin implementing the plans announced in July, which include expanding grain storage and receiving facilities at strategic locations, strengthening industrial capacity, and expanding Grupo Cereal's operations – all with the goal of providing more infrastructure and better conditions for rural producers, who remain at the center of both organizations' strategies.

 The Barauna family will retain a 70% ownership stake and remains at the helm of Grupo Cereal. Founder Evaristo Lira Barauna will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Adriano Barauna continues as CEO, leading the company's strategic direction and operations. The company's culture, governance, and close relationships with producers remain preserved.

 "Today is a very meaningful moment for our family, our employees, and the producers we serve. With the completion of the transaction, we are excited to begin this new journey alongside Zen-Noh Brasil, pursuing new growth opportunities, while preserving the culture and values that have guided Grupo Cereal for more than 40 years," said Adriano Barauna, CEO of Grupo Cereal.

About Zen-Noh Global

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Zen-Noh Global is the international agribusiness platform of the Zen-Noh group, Japan’s leading agricultural cooperative organization. Zen-Noh Global helps strengthen food security by sourcing and delivering grains, oilseeds, forage, food products, and agricultural inputs through a global network of operations and strategic investments, with a focus on reliability, quality, and long-term partnerships. The company has been present in Brazil since 2015 and expanded its local footprint in 2017 through an investment in ALZ, a grain origination and export company serving Brazil's MATOPIBA region (Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia).

About Grupo Cereal

Founded in 1981 by Evaristo Lira Barauna in Rio Verde (GO), Grupo Cereal is a family-owned company that evolved from a grain brokerage into one of the largest agricultural conglomerates in Brazil.  The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, holding Brazil's Social Fuel Seal (Selo Combustível Social) and supporting family farming through a structured producer program. Grupo Cereal employs approximately 1,000 people, operates its own truck fleet, and serves customers across multiple Brazilian states.

Globo Rural