Impact of biotechnology boosts soybean production, says Agroconsult

Since the 2002/03 harvest, soybean production in Brazil has grown exponentially. At the time, the harvested volume was around 41 million tons. Today, this figure has jumped to an annual average of 150 million tons, consolidating the country as the largest producer and exporter of soybeans in the world.

In the last 10 years, biotechnologies have added 21,2 million tons to national production, a volume equivalent to the annual harvest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, according to Agroconsult.

This significant increase had a profound impact on the Brazilian economy. According to André Pessôa, CEO of Agroconsult, "the increase generated an economic impact of R$114 billion, leveraging several sectors and strengthening the Brazilian economy."

Biotechnologies that control pests and are tolerant to herbicides were rapidly adopted in the country, revolutionizing tropical agriculture and promoting a significant leap in productivity. In addition, these technologies helped to optimize the use of inputs, reduce costs and increase profitability, also generating environmental benefits.

The importance of soybeans in the national economy can be illustrated by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the oilseed and biodiesel production chain, estimated at R$422 billion in 2024.

The growth in soybean production has also benefited Brazil's trade balance. "In the last 10 years, we have exported 12,8 million more tons of soybeans, which represents double the volume exported by Minas Gerais in 2023," highlights Pessôa. This increase in exports generated an increase of US$8,3 billion in reserves, or around R$45 billion at the current exchange rate.

Within the farm, producers also demonstrate confidence in biotechnologies. According to estimates by Agroconsult, the adoption rate of Bt biotechnologies rose from 4% in the launch season, in 2013/2014, to over 90% in 2023/2024. This massive adoption demonstrates the effectiveness and perceived benefits of these innovations in the field.

One of the recent highlights is Bayer's third generation of soybean biotechnology, Intacta2 Xtend. According to the company, varieties with these characteristics allow yields of over 100 bags per hectare. "What once seemed unattainable is now a reality," says Fernando Prudente, leader of soybean and cotton products at Bayer's agricultural division.