Sep 04, 2025
Brazil Could Double Ag Area Through Conversion of Pastures
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
According to Rafael Mingoti, Supervisor of the Research Group of Embrapa, Brazil could double its agricultural area using sustainable practices and technology in the conversion of pastures to row crop production, but in order to do so, it needs to overcome some structural challenges.
The majority of crop expansion in recent years in Brazil has been from the conversion of degraded pastures into row crop production. Data from Embrapa indicates that there are about 90 million hectares of pastures in Brazil (222 million acres) that could be converted to crop production with 44 million hectares of pastures (108 million acres) exhibiting some degree of degradation. These are areas that have no commitment to preserving native vegetation and there is potential for perennial and annual cultivation.
Mingoti believes it is possible to increase agricultural production in Brazil while respecting environmental commitments provided for in Brazilian legislation. The conversion of degraded pastures is a good opportunity for this.
One of the obstacles to increased crop production in Brazil is the lack of domestic crop nutrient production. Approximately 80% of Brazil's crop nutrients come from imports that are subject to market instability and price fluctuations.
Another challenge to agricultural expansion is a large storage deficit in Brazil. Brazil can only store about half of its grain production and that storage deficit has been increasing in recent years. Additionally, Brazil needs structural improvements in its waterways, railroads, ports, as well as maintenance and paving of highways.
Widespread production of grains is behind the evolution of biofuel and other derivatives, in addition to intensified livestock production. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of soybeans, the second largest exporter of corn, and one of the largest exporters of meat.