Agriculture Business
Brazil has had significant growth in agriculture commerce since the 90’s. In the beginning of 2010, 1 in each 4 products sold worldwide was made in Brazil. Projections from AGE (Acessoria de Gestão Estratégica) show that up to 2020, the country’s production will account for a third of the world’s commercialization.
Upland rice
Rice can have up to 20% of energy and 15% of the daily proteins intake necessary for and adult, and also contains vitamins, minerals, phosphorus, calcium and iron.
The average annual consumption per inhabitant in Brazil is of 25 kilograms. Rio Grande do Sul is the largest producer of lowland rice, as for upland rice, it’s concentrated in Center West region (Mato Grosso and Goiás), Northeast (Piauí and Maranhão) and North (Pará e Rondônia). Current researches prioritize actions.
Current research demands actionto consolidatethe presence of grain production systems in the Cerrado area, preferably by adopting a no-till farming method. Between 1975 and 2005, Brazil reduced the farming area by about 26%, and still grew its rice production in 69%, all thanks to the 128% increase in average productivity. The increase in production allowed the country in 2003/2004 to become self-sufficient in rice. In 2005 Brazil exported 272.000 tons of rice. Today, only 5% of national production is meant for exportation.
Soy
Soy arrived in Brazil through the United States in 1882. Since then, tests and investments were made which allowed production growth of this leguminous and large leaf plant that presented itself as the perfect alternative to rotate with upland rice.
Soy is the Brazilian farming culture that grew the most in the last three decades and accounts for 49% of grain planted area in the country. The increase in productivity is associated with the technological evolution, and to producers’ management and efficiency methods. The grain is the key component in animal feed with an increased and growing use in human food.
Planted especially in West Center and South of the country, soy became one of the most highlighted products in national agriculture and in the balance of trade.
Soy plantation became possible thanks to research results made by Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) in partnership with producers, industries and private research facilities. The developments in this area also allowed a productivity increase per acre, reaching the highest global indexes.
Soy farming in Brazil follows a responsible environmental standard, meaning, using sustainable agricultural practices such as the integrated tillage-livestock and the use of direct planting techniques. These are techniques that allow intensive use of the soil with lower environmental impact, which reduces the pressure for opening new areas and contributes to the environment preservation.
National industry transforms 30.7 million tons of soy each year, producing 5.8 million tons of cooking oil and 23.5 million tons of soybean, contributing to national competitiveness of meat, egg and milk production. Besides that, soy and Brazilian soybean have a high protein value and a premium quality standard, which allows its entrance in extremely demanding markets such as the European Union and Japan.