Brazil Must Overtake US and Lead Soya Production, Says Ministry

02/12/2014 - 09h23

The Ministry for Agriculture announced on Tuesday 11 that Brazil must overtake the United States and become the world´s leading soya producer. The announcement was made during President Dilma Rousseff´s visit to the region of Mato Grosso.

Estimates for 2014 are for a harvest of 193.6 million tons of grain of which only 90 million are of soya. According to the US Department of Agriculture, production for the United States is estimated at 89.51 million tons.

President Dilma Rousseff said that Brazil can do even better:" CONAB [Brazil´s food supply agency] states with caution that the harvest is of 193 million tons. But farmers as well as the minister of agriculture himself [Antonio Andrade] say that it is at 196 million. That is a victory for agribusiness in Brazil," she said.

According to the president, the results reaped by the agribusiness sector are "an example for the country." "In the past two decades, production has grown by 221% but the planted area merely 41%. That is productivity if anything. That is what we are aiming for throughout the country," she said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the sector´s GDP is due to reach R$ 1.03 trillion, a 4% increase since last year.

"If this result is confirmed, the sector´s GDP will grow 34% in ten years," said the ministry in a press release.

Shortly before the harvest announcement, Dilma met with agribusiness representatives in Mato Grosso. They handed over a letter asking for investment in infrastructure and logistics as well as making "urgent demands."

Translated by MILLI LEGRAIN

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Roberto Stuckert Filho/PR

President Dilma Rousseff visits the region of Mato Grosso