Shuttle: China and the US seek Africa, where Brazil maintains a presence

China and the United States compete in Africa, a region also sought by Brazil. Brazilians have increased agribusiness exports to the African continent with good intensity.

The presence of the two giants in the African market has different objectives when it comes to agribusiness. The Chinese want a place to have freedom of food production for their food security.

The United States seeks to neutralize the Chinese presence in the region. Although until then they had left the continent aside, the North Americans have strong export power to the region.

Brazil is expanding its presence in Africa. In the first eleven months of this year, Brazilian food exports to African countries rose to US$ 8.2 billion, up from US$ 5.7 billion from January to November 2021.

The leading product in Brazilian exports is sugar, a raw material that both the United States and China depend on externally and do not threaten Brazil.

The second product on the list, however, is corn. In this case, the United States is the world’s largest exporter, and has the potential to supply the cereal to Africans.

Brazilian wheat gains importance on the continent. Even dependent on the foreign market, Brazil promoted record exports of the cereal, which mainly comes from Rio Grande do Sul.

For now, the Brazilian presence should be discreet in this wheat market, since the country is only now beginning to accelerate domestic production.

Brazilian rice is also gaining presence in Africa. This year, exports from Brazil to the region totaled US$ 118 million, 55% more than in 2021.

Africa is still being a good market for Brazilian meat. Until November, exports reached US$ 1.32 billion. Chicken and beef were the ones that gained the most market share.

Africa also opens markets for milk and derivatives and fish. Brazilian exports in these sectors, however, still need to be structured to face external competition, mainly from China.

Rice The 2022/23 world crop recedes to 503 million, according to data from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). If this Tuesday’s predictions (13) are confirmed, it will be the first fall in seven years.

Rice 2 Brazil, Australia, the European Union and South Korea are among the reasons for the drop, due to smaller productions. World consumption retreats to 517 million tons of cereal.

cattle The sector’s Gross Production Value should fall by 4.1% this year. In the next, it slows down even more, with a retraction of 5.1%, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Cattle 2 Livestock as a whole (oxen, chickens, pigs, eggs and milk) will have a reduction of 1.6% this year, but rises 3% next year.

Soy The VBP of crops, driven by soybeans, will reach R$ 873 billion in 2023, up 7.4%. Alone, soybeans should yield R$ 407 billion.

advance For the Ministry of Agriculture, 2023 will be better than 2022. The total value of next year’s production will reach R$ 1.26 trillion, up 6%.