Brazil stands as the second-largest producer of soybeans globally, following the United States. During the 2014/2015 crop season, soybean cultivation in Brazil spanned an impressive 31.57 million hectares, yielding a total production of 95.07 million tons. The country’s average productivity reached 3,011 kg per hectare.

In the late 1960s, two key domestic factors prompted Brazil to recognize soybeans as a valuable commercial crop. At that time, wheat dominated as the primary crop in southern Brazil, and soybeans initially emerged as a complementary summer crop following wheat harvests. Additionally, Brazil began developing its pork and poultry industries, creating a growing demand for soybean meal. By 1966, soybean production had become a strategic necessity, with the country producing approximately 500,000 tons annually.

The mid-1970s brought a surge in global soybean prices, further motivating Brazilian farmers and the government to prioritize soybean cultivation. Brazil capitalized on its unique advantage: its harvest season coincides with the American off-season, enabling it to benefit from higher international prices. This period also marked significant investments in research and technology, spearheaded by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.

One of the most notable achievements of these efforts was the “tropicalization” of soybeans, a breakthrough that allowed successful cultivation in low-latitude regions between the Tropic of Capricorn and the equator. This innovation, led by Brazilian scientists, revolutionized soybean farming globally and became a game-changer in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Today, Brazil is among the world’s top soybean producers, alongside the United States, Argentina, China, India, and Paraguay, with its contributions leaving a lasting impact on global markets.