CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is in São Paulo, Brazil this week, leading a delegation of business and agricultural organizations interested in strengthening ties with Brazil. The delegation also includes Department of Pesticide Regulation Director Karen Morrison and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Vice-President Glenda Humiston.
Brazil is a leading global producer and an exporter of a variety of top agricultural products, including soybeans, coffee, beef, orange juice, and poultry. The country is the world’s 10th largest economy and is ranked 7th in global population. In addition, Brazil is a leading global market for the biological solutions sector (biopesticides, biostimulants and biofertilizers).
Many factors have been attributed to Brazil’s leadership in the biologicals space for agriculture. Primarily it has been a combination of regulatory reforms, market dynamics associated with tropical agricultural production (an estimated 80 percent of production is export driven), and continued public investments in research. This has resulted in faster approval and commercialization of new biological inputs (versus traditional chemical products), on-farm production of bio-input materials, and increased use of biologicals on agricultural lands.
Nature-based solutions for agriculture pest and weed management is a critical area for collaboration between California and Brazil. Visits by the delegation so far have included: the São Paulo State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply, the Brazilian Agribusiness Association, Aqua Capital, Terradot, Yield Lab Brazil, SP Ventures, Moss Earth, and Biotrop, a market leader in the development of advanced biological solutions for sustainable and high-productivity agriculture.
While Brazil is working to advance a climate-forward agricultural sector and develop new revenue streams for growers, deforestation remains a key issue. Agriculture is a climate challenge and opportunity in Brazil.
As California looks for opportunities to expand trade and climate collaboration, Brazil is a strong potential partner. On trade, California pistachios have made significant strides, achieving approximately 95 percent market share with strong growth prospects. California’s agricultural exports to Brazil are valued at $131M, approximately 13 percent of total U.S agricultural exports. Leading export commodities include dairy products and almonds.
Brazil is hosting COP 30 this November, with a commitment to further consensus on targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
