T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Agriculture industry in Brazil – statistics & facts
Brazil's thriving agricultural sector is a testament to its vast land area and abundant natural resources. This sector has contributed significantly to the country's economy. The country is a world leader in coffee production and export, sugar cane production, soybean production and export, and orange production just to name a few. The agricultural sector accounted for over six percent of the annual value added of Brazil's gross domestic product in 2023, the second-highest figure reported in over a decade and showing general growth.
Corn and sugar cane are two other significant crops in Brazilian agriculture, contributing about 13 percent to the country’s agricultural production value. While corn has shown clear growth in terms of production volume, sugar cane has fluctuated somewhat despite having a larger production volume. Apart from its importance in sugar production, the country also uses sugar cane as the main feedstock in ethanol fuel production. Given the sustained growth of the Brazilian biofuels industry since the 2000s, sugar cane has become a strategic crop among the various agricultural commodities that Brazil provides to the world.
If Brazil can maintain its dominance in the agricultural sectors where it has become a global leader, it may also emerge as a leader in other sectors in the future.
A global force in crop production
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of area, occupying more than 8.5 million square kilometers. With nearly eight percent of its area devoted to agriculture, the country has established itself as a major grain grower, particularly cereals, beans, and oilseeds. In 2023, domestic crop production alone injected more than 814 billion reals into the Brazilian economy. Soybean production is the leading crop in Brazil, contributing nearly half of the national crop output value. This crop has experienced continuous growth, pushing Brazil to become the largest soybean producer in the world, surpassing the United States.Corn and sugar cane are two other significant crops in Brazilian agriculture, contributing about 13 percent to the country’s agricultural production value. While corn has shown clear growth in terms of production volume, sugar cane has fluctuated somewhat despite having a larger production volume. Apart from its importance in sugar production, the country also uses sugar cane as the main feedstock in ethanol fuel production. Given the sustained growth of the Brazilian biofuels industry since the 2000s, sugar cane has become a strategic crop among the various agricultural commodities that Brazil provides to the world.
An equally strong livestock segment
Brazil's agricultural sector includes livestock farming as one of its major segments, with meat products ranking second only to soybeans in terms of agribusiness export value. The number of slaughtered cattle in Brazil has shown fluctuations in recent years, while that of pigs has steadily increased, exceeding 57 million heads in 2023. However, the most significant segment of Brazil's livestock is poultry. In 2023, more than six billion broiler chickens were slaughtered in the country, equivalent to 78 percent of the global human population.If Brazil can maintain its dominance in the agricultural sectors where it has become a global leader, it may also emerge as a leader in other sectors in the future.
