Soy is one of the most important pillars of Brazilian agriculture. Its development is closely linked to the advancement of agricultural science and the increase in international demand, particularly after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this context, Brazil has become one of the world’s largest soybean producers and exporters.
According to data from the National Supply Company (CONAB), Brazil is currently the world’s leading soybean producer and exporter. For the 2024-25 crop year, national production is estimated at 167.9 million tons. Soybean exports are estimated at 96.8 million tons, reinforcing Brazil’s leadership in global supply.
This increase was the result of a long process of adaptation. Soy needed to be adjusted to tropical conditions, a challenge addressed by research institutions like EMBRAPA. Much of the country’s expansion in soybean production took place in its Center-West Region, particularly in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Goiás states. Initially devoted to cattle ranching and rice growing, this region gradually transitioned to grain production, driven by market demand and prospects for scale.
CNA’s Commission on Grains
The National Commission for Cereals, Fibers, and Oilseeds of the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA) plays a central role in representing producers’ interests. It supports the development of the grain sector through technical exchanges, helping achieve legal certainty and encouraging practical solutions based on scientific evidence and applied technology.
André Dobashi, President of the Commission, explains that the country’s approach is focused on intensification. “Scaling up doesn’t mean expanding planted areas, but increasing productivity on the land already in use. That’s been a priority for Brazilian farmers,” he says.
Production Evolution and Sustainability Integration
Brazil currently combines large cultivable areas with advanced technology in the field. But this evolution has also required sustainable practices. Crop rotation, rational water management, reduced pesticide use, and no-till farming are some methods that have helped improve yields while reducing environmental impacts.
Dobashi reinforces this shift in mindset: “Producers are now focused on improving the efficiency of land they already manage, rather than opening new areas.” This reflects a broader strategy where intensification, rather than expansion, leads to progress.
Balancing Production and the Environment
Soybean production in Brazil is increasingly based on practices that reconcile productivity and environmental responsibility. Advancements in technology and management enable farmers to raise output while conserving native vegetation. This is aligned with the country’s Forest Code, one of the strictest environmental legislations in the world. The law demands that farms preserve portions of their land as Legal Reserves and Areas of Permanent Protection (APPs).
The Forest Code fosters the productive use of already cleared areas and the recovery of degraded land, thus combining legal compliance with environmental benefits.
Technology and Environmental Responsibility
Brazil has also made significant advances in agricultural biotechnology. Improved seeds help reduce pesticide use and increase plant resilience to pests and diseases. No-till farming improves soil structure and water retention, while irrigation systems allow up to three harvests per year in some regions, boosting productivity and resilience.
Dobashi notes that soybean farming can coexist with local ecosystems. “Soy can be grown while maintaining the environmental aspects of the region. In some cases, agriculture has added to regenerating landscapes that were degraded at some point,” he says.
He also highlights agriculture’s role in carbon sequestration. Techniques like no-till farming contribute to storing carbon in the soil, thus reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and supporting climate change mitigation.