São Paulo's agricultural sector registers a surplus of US$ 8,37 billion.

In the first five months of 2026, São Paulo's agribusiness sector recorded a surplus of US$8,37 billion. This result was driven by exports totaling US$10,85 billion, compared to imports of US$2,48 billion. During this period, the sector accounted for 38,5% of total exports from the state of São Paulo, while agribusiness imports represented 6,9% of the state total. 

According to the Secretary of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, Geraldo Melo Filho, the result demonstrates the sector's ability to maintain and expand its participation in international markets even in a less favorable environment for agricultural prices. “When prices fall and volume increases, the merit lies more within the farm gate than in a favorable market moment, which is practically not happening for any chain. This is a distinguishing feature of São Paulo's agribusiness. Even in the face of reduced international prices for important commodities, the sector increased its export volume and maintained a surplus exceeding US$ 8 billion. This result reflects productivity, technology, and the ability of São Paulo producers to continue meeting increasingly demanding markets,” he emphasizes. 

Despite a 3,2% reduction in the value of exports compared to the same period last year, the volume shipped grew by 5,2%, points out the director of APTA, Carlos Nabil Ghobril. “This shows that São Paulo's agribusiness continues to sell more products abroad. The main impact came from the fall in international prices of important commodities, such as sugar and orange juice,” he states. 

Main products exported by São Paulo's agricultural sector.

The sugar and ethanol complex accounted for 21,3% of total agricultural exports from São Paulo, totaling US$2,3 billion. Of this total, sugar represented 95,1% and ethanol 4,9%. The meat sector followed closely with 17,0% of the sector's external sales, totaling US$1,8 billion, with beef accounting for 83,5%. The soybean complex had a 14,3% share of total exports, registering US$1,05 billion, with 84,3% referring to soybeans and 10,7% to soybean meal. 

Forest products accounted for 13,0% of the exported value, totaling US$1,4 billion, with 65,1% from cellulose and 28,8% from paper. Juices represented 7,5% of the total, amounting to US$813,2 million, of which 96,3% was orange juice. These five groups together represented 73,1% of São Paulo's agribusiness exports. Coffee occupies the sixth position, with a 6,4% share of exports, totaling US$689,2 million, with 67,9% from green coffee and 27,4% from soluble coffee.

Variations in export values, compared to the same period last year, showed increases in sales of meat products (+20,1%), soy complex (+17,4%) and forestry products (+12,7%), as well as decreases in the juice (-39,3%), sugar and ethanol (-16,6%) and coffee (-16,5%) groups. 

According to José Alberto Ângelo, a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA-Apta), forestry products remain among the highlights of the export agenda, driven by strong international demand for pulp. 

Main destinations for agricultural exports from São Paulo.

China remains the main destination for exports, accounting for 27,8% of the total, primarily purchasing products from the soybean complex, meat, forestry, and textile fibers. The European Union follows, with a 14,7% share, while the United States accounted for 10,2%. 

São Paulo's participation in national agriculture

Nationally, São Paulo's agribusiness ranks second in exports, with a 15,4% share, just behind Mato Grosso (20,7%). 

Future scenario

The organization's director believes that foreign trade remains surrounded by uncertainties, influenced by factors such as international prices, logistics costs, and the geopolitical scenario, but that there is still an expectation of strengthening sugar exports throughout the second half of the year: "The restriction of Indian exports may open up additional opportunities for Brazilian sugar in strategic markets, especially in Asia," he adds.