Brazilian agro-industrial exports reach a new record this year, as do imports. From January to November, Brazil imported the equivalent of US$36 billion in inputs, agricultural machinery and food products, 13% more than in 2024.
The country is looking for new markets to obtain supplies and Asia is increasing its participation in this trade. Just as there had already been a change in leadership in the supply of fertilizers from Russia to China, this Asian country and India are now overtaking the United States in the sale of agricultural tractors to Brazilians.
Data from Secex (Secretariat for Foreign Trade) from January to November indicate that China leads in sales of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural machinery, in the latter case, in several segments. Tractor data does not include highway tractors and those intended for internal use, such as in warehouses.
The main Brazilian expenditure on imports linked to agro-industry came from the purchase of fertilizers. The country purchased 41.7 million tons of fertilizer through November, spending $14.3 billion. China, with a supply of 10.8 million tonnes, surpasses former leader Russia, which supplied 10.4 million.
Brazil has also significantly increased its pesticide imports. This year there were 953 thousand tonnes, an increase of 31% compared to the same period last year. Spending on these purchases reached $5.14 billion. The main imports were herbicides (507,000 tonnes), insecticides and fungicides. The expansion of the area and the increasing resistance of weeds and pests are forcing the country to increase the volume of purchases.
This year’s record follows that of 2024, when imports from January to November reached 730 thousand tonnes. Among Brazil’s main suppliers are China, India, the United States and several European countries, such as Spain, France and Germany.
Imports of harvesters, tractors and other machinery used in agricultural production totaled $1.2 billion, 7% more than 2024 spending. Despite a record harvest, falling prices of agricultural products have prevented a greater turnover of machinery in the sector.
Imports of harvesting equipment fell to US$235 million, or 8% lower, and imports of tractors remained stable at US$328 million. In this tractor segment, China and India have overtaken the United States in terms of supply. Machinery for forestry, poultry farming, horticulture, grain milking and cleaning completes the list of imports, and China also occupies an important place in this supply.
One of the world’s leading food suppliers, Brazil is also an importer. Through November, purchases reached $14.6 billion in the sector, an increase of 3%. Wheat comes first, with a total of 6.2 million tonnes. After the record harvest of 10.5 million in 2022, Brazil is experiencing a drop in production. This year’s figure was 7.9 million.
The main import products remain rice, corn, milk, barley and coffee. In the latter case, despite customs duties that reduced Brazilian sales to the United States, Brazil increased its purchases from Switzerland, France and Vietnam. In total, 10,900 tonnes were imported, or 96% more than in 2024. The Swiss sent 2,056 tonnes of roasted coffee, and the Vietnamese, 4,836 tonnes of unroasted coffee.
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