XP Transforms Financial Advice for Brazil’s Agribusiness Giants

When I first read about that Brazilian soybean farmer who used to fly 2.5 hours to São Paulo just to get financial advice, I couldn’t help but think of the farmers I’ve known in the Central Valley of California—guys who’d drive hours to Fresno or Bakersfield for the same kind of specialized service. That story from Latinometrics isn’t just about one producer in Mato Grosso; it’s a window into how agricultural producers everywhere, even here in the U.S., are rethinking access to high-touch financial expertise. And nowhere does that resonate more than in the Sacramento Valley, where family-owned farms still anchor communities but increasingly seem beyond their county lines for sophisticated wealth management.

The farmer in the report managed an operation generating roughly $800 million annually in soybean revenue—a scale that puts him in the top echelon of global agribusiness. For context, that’s more than the annual crop value of many U.S. States. His reliance on XP Inc., the Brazilian investment firm founded in 2001 by Guilherme Benchimol and Marcelo Maisonnave, highlights a shift: even producers with massive operations are seeking out specialized financial partners rather than relying solely on local co-ops or regional banks. XP, now managing over $130 billion in custody and serving more than 3 million clients, has grown from a Porto Alegre startup into a multinational with offices in New York, Miami, London, and Geneva—proof that geographic barriers to elite financial services are eroding.

This matters in places like Sacramento because the dynamics mirror what’s happening in Brazil’s cerrado. Just as Mato Grosso farmers once had to travel to São Paulo for advice that wasn’t available locally, many Sacramento Valley growers still develop the trip to San Francisco or Los Angeles for estate planning, succession strategy, or access to private equity funds focused on agriculture. But change is coming. Firms like Farm Credit West, which has served California agriculture since 1916, are expanding their wealth management arms. Meanwhile, registered investment advisors (RIAs) in Davis and Chico are building niches around farm succession planning, helping families navigate the transfer of land worth millions per acre—a reality underscored by the fact that the average value of irrigated farmland in the Sacramento Valley exceeded $15,000 per acre in 2024, according to USDA data.

What’s interesting is how this mirrors the evolution seen in Brazil. XP didn’t just offer better returns; it redefined access. By embracing technology early—offering digital platforms alongside its 8,000+ advisors and 800 offices—it made sophisticated tools available to clients who weren’t in São Paulo’s financial district. That same democratization is happening here. A walnut grower in Yuba City can now use platforms like Steward or AcreTrader to explore fractional ownership or connect with impact investors focused on sustainable agriculture—services that, a decade ago, required a trip to the Bay Area and a six-figure minimum.

Still, the human element remains irreplaceable. The farmer in the report didn’t just want returns; he wanted trust, continuity, and someone who understood the rhythms of agriculture—the way drought affects cash flow, how commodity cycles impact long-term planning, why land isn’t just an asset but a legacy. That’s why, even as digital tools advance, the most successful advisors in rural California still blend tech with old-school relationship building. They display up at farm bureau meetings, know the names of the irrigation districts, and understand that a conversation over coffee at a roadside stand in Williams can be more valuable than a Zoom call from a downtown office.

Given my background in rural economics and agricultural policy, if this trend of seeking specialized financial guidance impacts you in the Greater Sacramento area, here are the three types of local professionals Make sure to consider—and exactly what to look for when vetting them.

First, look for Farm Succession and Estate Planning Specialists. These aren’t just general attorneys; they’re professionals who understand the unique complexities of transferring agricultural assets—like how Proposition 19 affects inherited farmland in California, or how to structure a buy-sell agreement that accounts for fluctuating commodity prices. When evaluating one, ask about their experience with USDA-recognized succession programs, whether they collaborate with agricultural economists, and if they’ve handled transfers involving permanent crops like almonds or pistachios, which carry different valuation challenges than row crops.

Second, consider Agricultural Wealth Management Advisors who operate as fiduciaries and specialize in rural clients. These advisors should have credentials like the AIC (Accredited Agricultural Consultant) designation or verifiable experience managing portfolios that include farmland, timber rights, or water assets. Key criteria: they must offer transparent fee structures (avoid anyone pushing proprietary products), demonstrate knowledge of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implications for land value, and have a process for stress-testing plans against drought scenarios or regulatory shifts like those coming from the State Water Resources Control Board.

Third, seek out Rural Tax Strategists with Farm Bureau Ties. The best ones aren’t just CPAs—they’re enrolled agents or tax attorneys who actively participate in California Farm Bureau Federation committees and understand niche provisions like Section 179 expensing for grain bins or the nuances of like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 when swapping irrigation infrastructure. Verify their standing with the California Board of Accountancy, ask for references from clients with similar acreage and crop mixes, and confirm they stay current on federal programs like the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate-smart agriculture incentives.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated agricultural wealth management advisors in the sacramento valley area today.