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 Kory
Melby (42) was born and raised in a small farming community in
northwest Minnesota. Kory graduated from Greenbush High School and
continued his education at the University of Minnesota, Crookston
campus. He majored in Farm Management, Ag marketing and Ag Aviation.
Kory has been actively involved with production agriculture for 25
years. Kory's first visit to Brazil was in 1994 with a group of
producers from Minnesota and North Dakota. Kory became fascinated in
Brazil again in the late 1990s when the American Ag media
highlighted the aggressive soybean expansion in Mato Grosso.
In January 2001 Kory joined a group of progressive producers and
businessmen on a tour of Mato Grosso. Once Kory grasped the
magnitude of the global competition facing him, he decided to make
some structural changes in his family's farming operation. In the
following years Kory returned to Brazil eight times to research
opportunities in the agricultural sector.
“I realized during my travels there was an information void with
regards to accurate/honest on the ground intel from the interior of
Brazil. In Brazil the theme is: “When things are good they are
beyond fantastic; When things are bad they are worse than terrible.”
I was not able to find anyone that was able to filter the facts from
the fiction. I decided to form a Blog/website (consulting venue)
that would help others interested in Brazil expedite their learning
curve. I have had many experiences in Brazil both GOOD and BAD. I
have a vast knowledge of the mistakes others have made setting up
companies, farms, and cultural misunderstandings that can be of
value to newcomers to Brazil. I consider myself a liaison between
the North American and Latin America cultures.”
Kory now lives with his wife and son in the city of Goiânia, Goiás
Brazil.
"The past ten years have been spent researching land and business
opportunities within Brazil. Kory has traveled throughout the
country gaining knowledge and experience in numerous different
venues. The most important aspect for doing business within Brazil
is the social connection. Kory has spent countless hours developing
relationships inside Brazil."
“After living in Brazil for ten years and doing many investor type
tours, I have witnessed a common faux paux among North American
ideas for a Brazilian operating business model. In many instances,
North Americans tend to impose their business model ideas upon
Brazilians. In my experience the American business model does not
incorporate well with the Brazil operating model. American models
focus on competitiveness, results, speed, efficiency, and ROI.
“Successful” Brazil operating platforms focus on social,
environmental and political (who you know) connections.”
“I am not advocating one system over the other; both have merits and
flaws.”
"THE POINT I TRY TO MAKE TO NEWCOMERS TO BRAZIL IS THEY MUST
UNDERSTAND THIS CULTURAL PREREQUISITE IN ORDER TO HAVE A CHANCE AT
SURVIVAL."
“I think the key to successful Brazilian investment is to find
synergies with existing Brazilian entities. One must work with and
not compete with other Brazilian entities.”
“I have always approached living in Brazil as a privilege. It is
their country - not mine. I am a guest here. BEHAVE AND INVEST
ACCORDINGLY”
I think one must find a common “bond” with local Brazilians. This
can come in many forms. Agriculture, Education system, exchange
student, church connections, or a common product that has appeal
across cultural lines. I was able to form bonds with locals in Mato
Grosso because of my experience with clearing and developing ag land
in Minnesota. We had a common life story. Over time trust grew and I
became part of the family. For new comers to Brazil, one must not
only find your niche but also have a team of contacts that one can
rely on to help you; not only to learn the language but also help
you to solve problems. So many do not realize that in order to
finance a new refrigerator at a store one must get a guarantor to
vouch for you. If you do not pay, they will go after your contact
person. "
The world commodity markets are watching Brazil's ability to surge
in production with regards to basic food staples. Kory is on the
front lines watching new trends develop in Brazil. Kory's
newsletter's and VIP updates keep valued clients aware of current
conditions in Brazil.
“With my North American experience in production agriculture, real
estate, ag machinery markets and their global inter-dependency
(supply/demand), I provide a unique perspective that many traders,
investors and commodity research analysts rely on.”
The state of Mato Grosso is my area of expertise; however, with
contacts in Bahia, Tocantins, São Paulo and Paraná. He is very
comfortable discussing the conditions in each of the aforementioned
states. Kory does consulting for various hedge funds, private equity
and commodity groups. He has also organized and hosted numerous
tours through Brazil and Argentina. Tours have ranged from VIP
infrastructure tours to curious producers from USA and Canada. Kory
has also assisted journalists from Minneapolis Star Tribune,
Wisconsin State Journal, Forth Worth Star Telegram, Los Angeles
Times, Virginia Quarterly and US News and World Report.
Kory specializes in Brazil tours that are specific to the clients
needs and schedule.
Recent developments include: Researching ag machinery market trends,
monitoring legislation regarding foreign land ownership within
Brazil, updating land price trends within Brazil, fertilizer,
commodity research, and guiding investors as to the changes in
environmental laws including reserve requirements and clear titles.
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