Brazil Struggles with Wheat Imports Amid Goal of Self-Sufficiency
Over the past 12 months, a total of 5.7 million tons of wheat arrived at Brazilian ports—the highest 12-month cumulative result since December 2022
Brazil is facing a challenge with its wheat imports as the country’s purchases from overseas in the first seven months of 2024 are almost equivalent to the total volume bought in 2023. The surge in imports has been attributed to catastrophic floods in the southern states, disrupting domestic production.
Currently, Brazil depends on foreign wheat due to low domestic availability. The National Supply Company estimates that existing stocks are only sufficient for less than three weeks of consumption. As a result, domestic wheat prices have decreased, allowing non-Mercosur countries to export to Brazil.
While Brazil aims to be self-sufficient in wheat production within the next decade by expanding cultivation in the Cerrado region, the current situation emphasizes the country’s reliance on imports to meet demand.