Business · Trade · 4 hrs ago
Brazil nears US as the world’s largest agricultural exporter
Brazil has grown from importing some of its food to becoming one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters.
In 2025, Brazil reported $169.2 billion in agribusiness exports, while US agricultural exports were $171.3 billion.
Brazil’s exports rose 5.5% in the first nine months of 2026, and the country’s government says it could finish the year as the world’s top food exporter.
Record grain production, improved productivity and stronger Chinese demand have helped drive the growth.
The trade dispute between the United States and China has also created opportunities for Brazilian exporters.
But there is no single official measure: Brazil’s agribusiness figures include forest products that are excluded from the US agricultural total, and the US uses a fiscal year that runs from October to September.
On comparable projections, the two countries are roughly tied for 2026, so the final ranking depends on the measurement used.
Brazil’s agricultural exports are close to the United States’ total, and Brazil may become the world’s largest agricultural exporter in 2026.
Brazil exported a record US$169.2 billion in agribusiness products in 2025, compared with US$171.3 billion in US agricultural exports.
Brazil’s exports reached US$133.6 billion from January to September 2026, up 5.5% on the same period a year earlier.
A record Brazilian grain harvest, productivity gains and trade tensions between the United States and China are cited as factors behind the rise.
The comparison is not definitive because Brazil and the United States use different export categories and accounting periods.
- Who
- Brazil and the United States are competing for the position of the world’s largest agricultural exporter.
- What
- Brazil is nearing the US total and may take the lead in 2026, depending on the measurement used.
- When
- The comparison covers 2025 and 2026; Brazil’s January-to-September 2026 exports rose 5.5% year on year.
- Where
- Brazil and the United States; China is also a major destination for their agricultural exports.
- Why
- Brazil’s production and productivity are growing, while trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have created opportunities for Brazilian exports.
Brazil
United States
Export totals
Brazil
Brazil’s agribusiness exports were US$169.2 billion in 2025, and its 2026 exports may approach US$178 billion if the pace through September continues.
United States
US agricultural exports were US$171.3 billion in 2025; the USDA projects US$179.5 billion for fiscal 2026.
Measurement
Brazil
Brazil’s agribusiness measure includes forest products such as pulp and wood.
United States
The US agricultural measure excludes those products and uses a fiscal year running from October to September.
The export gap between Brazil and the United States exceeded US$50 billion using the same comparison bases.
Brazil’s agribusiness exports reached US$169.2 billion, while US agricultural exports were US$171.3 billion.
Brazil’s agribusiness exports totalled US$133.6 billion, up 5.5% from the same period in 2025.
A National Confederation of Municipalities analysis reported Brazil’s export figures for the first nine months of the year.
- Brazil exports, 2025
- US$169.2 billion
- US agricultural exports, 2025
- US$171.3 billion
- Brazil exports, January–September 2026
- US$133.6 billion
- Brazil grain harvest estimate, 2025/26
- 361.7 million tonnes
- Brazil share of Brazilian agribusiness revenue from China, first half of 2026
- 35%, or about US$31 billion
What people are saying
o país deve terminar 2026 como o maior exportador de alimentos do mundo