Historic milestone for Brazilian agribusiness shows leadership in global food security

Brazilian agribusiness exports reached USD 164.4 billion in 2024, marking the second-highest value in the historical series. This figure represented 49% of the country’s total exports, demonstrating the sector’s resilience despite the drop in international prices of some key commodities.

The decline in sales of the soybean complex and cereals, due to a smaller harvest and lower international prices, was offset by increased exports in traditional segments such as meat (up 11.4%), the sugar-energy complex (up 13.3%), forest products (up 21.2%), and coffee (up 52.6%). Other sectors, including textile fibers, juices, cocoa and its derivatives, and horticultural products, also recorded significant growth.

In 2024, various sectors achieved record exports, further solidifying Brazil’s role and relevance among the world’s leading suppliers of food, fibers, and energy. Notable products included sugar, coffee, cotton, pork, beef, poultry, pulp, orange juice, and orange essential oil. Less traditional items in the export portfolio are lemons and limes, chocolate and cocoa-based food products, pet food, ginger, cocoa paste, and onions also reflected this growth.

China continued as the primary destination for Brazilian exports, totaling USD 49.7 billion, followed by the European Union (USD 23.2 billion) and the United States (USD 12.1 billion). Markets such as Africa (up 24.4%) and the Middle East (up 20.4%) also gained significance, buoyed by the resumption of diplomatic relations and by trade promotion efforts.

The numbers follow the Government’s efforts to foster diversification of both exported items and destinations. The year 2024 saw record exports of a variety of products for which Brazil has been expanding its participation in the international market, a result of new opportunities generated by a record number of market openings and expansions. Trade promotion actions for Brazilian products abroad also recorded an expressive increase, with a particular focus on developing new productive chains with great commercial potential.

The growth in production has enabled Brazil to increase its domestic supply while generating export surpluses that bring in foreign exchange revenue and create job opportunities, particularly in rural areas.

According to Trade and International Relations Secretary Luís Rua, “the sector maintained its leadership by accounting for half of the country’s total exports, demonstrating the tangible results of efforts by the government and private sector to enhance international presence through product and destination diversification.”

PROJECTION — Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, underscored that “the record harvest and production of various agribusiness products expected for 2025, together with the continuous efforts to open and expand markets and to substantially intensify trade promotion actions in partnership with Apex Brasil and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs point to new records in both volume and value next year”.

With a projected record harvest in 2025, coupled with enhanced trade promotion efforts and the opening of new markets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) envisions a bright future for Brazilian agribusiness, reaffirming its status as a cornerstone of the national economy and a key player in global supply chains.