Freight containers on a ship, representing Brazilian agriculture exports rising in May 2021

Brazilian Agriculture Exports Rise 33.7%, Soy Hits Record

Brazilian agriculture exports reached $13.94 billion in May (all figures in USD), representing a 33.7% increase on the same month last year and the biggest boost on record since 1997.

Soybeans ready for harvest. Soybeans are a major Brazilian agriculture product for the export market
Soybeans are a key export crop for Brazil

Much of that rise was driven by an uptick in commodity prices, with the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry reporting that the price index had risen 24.6%, while growing demand from China was also key, reported Reuters.

The results were largely thanks to a major growth in soybean exports, which reached an all-month record of 16.4 million tonnes in May. Meanwhile, among other Brazilian agricultural goods seeing significant increases in exports were oil-seed, which grew 16%.

See also: Starting a Business in Brazil: How Long Will it Take

While the global pandemic has battered many economies and economic sectors in Latin America, it has seen purchases of agricultural commodities grow as countries seek to guarantee food stocks. Meanwhile, China has been seeking to expand swine and poultry herds, contributing to increased demand and inflated prices for grain and other animal feed crops. 

For Brazilian agriculture, the soy category, which includes bran and oil, as well as grain, accounted for almost 60% of the value of Brazilian agricultural exports in May. During that record month, China imported 11.2 million tons of soybeans — representing 68% of the total exported by Brazil and an increase of more than one million tonnes compared to the same month the previous year.

That fed into a pattern of overall growth this year, with Chinese soybean imports totalling 38.2 million tonnes between January and May — an almost 13% increase on the first five months of 2020.

Meanwhile, oil-seed shipments hit 48.3 million tons in that same period — with a value of $20.3 billion that represented a 29.6% increase in value on the same period last year.

Other Brazilian agricultural products also posted positive results, with forest-based products such as cellulose, timber, wood pulp, and paper registering a value of $5.2 billion during that five month period — with a volume of 11.8 million tons representing a 10% increase on last year.

A BLH infogrpahic giving a snapshot of the market in Brazil. Brazilian agriculture saw major growth in May 2021.

Investment opportunities in Brazilian agriculture

Brazilian agriculture is a large and lucrative sector, with a range of strong investment opportunities. Here three are considered:

Soybeans: are extremely important to the Brazilian economy, and recent price index rises make them an increasingly lucrative product to invest in. Around 80% of soybean production occurs in the south of the country, and Brazil produces more than 30% of the global soybean supply.

Coffee: is a well-known Brazilian agriculture product, and the country produces approximately 35% of global supply. While coffee is known for its price fluctuations, it is another export crop that has seen strong growth in prices during the global pandemic.

Orange juice: production in Brazil is driven by the export market, with the United States and European Union major destinations for the product, of which Brazil was reported to account for almost 65% of global supply in 2020.

Biz Latin Hub can help you doing business in Brazil

At Biz Latin Hub, our multilingual team of corporate support experts is equipped to provide you with all of the assistance you need to enter and do business in Brazil. Whether you are interested in investing in Brazilian agriculture, or have other commercial interests, we have a comprehensive portfolio of back-office solutions, including company formation, commercial representation, legal, and accounting services, and can assist you every step of the way.

Contact us now for a consultation or free quote.

Or read about our team and expert authors.

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The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
Craig Dempsey

Craig Dempsey

Craig is a seasoned business professional in Latin America. He is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of the Biz Latin Hub Group that specializes in the provision market entry and back office services. Craig holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, with honors and a Master's Degree in Project Management from the University of New South Wales. Craig is also an active board member on the Australian Colombian Business Council, and likewise also active with the Australian Latin American Business Council.

Craig is also a military veteran, having served in the Australian military on numerous overseas missions and also a former mining executive with experience in various overseas jurisdictions, including, Canada, Australia, Peru and Colombia.

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