Starting almost from scratch in the early 1970s with the help of Japanese trading houses such as Mitsui, Brazil has become the world’s second-largest exporter of soyabeans – a key commoditiy for livestock feed in China. The country is also the world’s largest exporter of sugar and coffee and plays critical roles in corn, in which it is the third largest exporter, livestock and lean hogs, in which it is the world’s largest and third-largest exporter, and rice, where it is the 10th largest exporter.
Brazil’s natural advantages, particularly the large stock of land and abundant water, will continue to enhance the country’s critical role in global agricultural markets. However, the financial crisis has also highlighted vulnerabilities of the recent expansion, notably a large accumulation of debt.
Starting almost from scratch in the early 1970s with the help of Japanese trading houses such as Mitsui, Brazil has become the world’s second-largest exporter of soyabeans – a key commoditiy for livestock feed in China.