March 10, 2010

Brazil's grain production to increase 36% in ten years
 

Brazil's grain production will rise 36.7% in the next decade, reaching 177.5 million tonnes by 2020, according to the country's Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Ministry.

The ministry said that about 75% of the extra production will be due to an increase in productivity caused by the evolution of agricultural techniques. The remaining 25% will be the result of an increase in the cultivated area in the country, which currently reaches about 60 million hectares and will reach 69.7 million hectares by 2020.

The Ministry also stated that the grain production will most likely grow at its current rate in the next ten years.

"Brazil has been growing about 4% per year in a sustainable way, which is something wonderful," said Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Minister Reinhold Stephanes. "The agriculture sector has always had a dynamic and constant growth."

The exports of soy are expected to increase 37.2% until 2020, reaching 37.8 million tonnes, while the corn exports are expected to rise 80.3%, to 12.6 million tonnes. Corn and soy are the most produced grains in Brazil.

According to the Ministry's Strategic Affair's Coordinator, Jose Garcia Gasques, the exports' rise can be attributed to the rising demand for food products in the international market, which is caused by the emerging countries' development.