The future of Brazil's wheat

The scarcity of food in the world places Brazil as a potential candidate to meet the increase in demand with technology and environmental sustainability. In wheat, cultivation is oriented towards this purpose. This is the message presented at the National Wheat Forum and at the 15th Meeting of the Brazilian Wheat and Triticale Research Commission, events that take place at the Complexo Brasil 21 Events Center, in Brasília, DF, between June 28th and 30th.

In the 1970s, wheat productivity in Brazil was 600 kg/ha (kilograms per hectare). With the creation of Embrapa in 1974, work began on improving wheat, which quickly also included other research companies operating in the market. The results can be seen in Brazilian crops: today the average productivity exceeds 3000 kg/ha, that is, wheat yield has increased five times the production in the same area. Since 2021, Brazil has held the position of world record holder in productivity/day with 80,9 kg/ha/day.

According to Júlio Albrecht, a researcher at Embrapa Cerrados, the evolution of wheat cultivation is due to research work resulting in the development of cultivars with broad adaptation, stability in grain yield and resistance to diseases. For the researcher, the average productivity of crops today could be even higher, however the concern is with sustainability, both economic and environmental.

“Research is now working towards maximum efficiency in crops, producing food more quickly and cheaply. We develop wheat cultivars with an increasingly earlier cycle, that is, the period between sowing and harvesting becomes shorter. Genetics also seeks greater tolerance to pests and diseases, which impacts less use of pesticides, and environmental stresses, such as water deficit and excess rainfall. Cultivars with a higher vitamin content or greater efficiency in the use of fertilizers are also targets of research. All this technology embedded in wheat cultivars has resulted in better financial returns for the producer and a greater supply of food for the consumer”, he says.

Jorge Lemainski, general manager of Embrapa Trigo, recalls that wheat production in Brazil grew 80% between 2017 and 2021, while the area grew 43%. “This shows the efficiency of Brazilian agriculture, which is able to produce increasingly better without having to open new areas”, highlights Lemainski. He also recalls the evolution of the quality of Brazilian wheat: “We produce wheat suitable for various uses, both for human food and animal feed. With the cultivars that are on the market, we are able to serve the bread, pasta and biscuit industry; the meat, milk and egg industry; the biofuels industry; and the international market. This shows that our wheat has quality, recognized inside and outside the country”.

Even in years with climate frustrations, such as the drop in PH (hectoliter weight) in years of rain during the harvest season in the South Region, wheat grains can be used, both in animal feed and in the production of ethanol. For the President of BSBios, Erasmo Battistella, Brazil needs to assume a prominent sustainability position in the world and see the climate change scenario as an opportunity: “New technologies require new knowledge, resources and investments aimed at the conscious use of natural resources to long term”, he declares, remembering that “whenever we talk about energy transition and decarbonization, we cannot just look at our pockets, but first and foremost at people. This is the future of Brazil, supplying the world without losing environmental balance.”

World export potential

Brazil is the 8th largest wheat importer in the world. In 2021, 6,7 million tons were imported. Brazilian consumption is 12,7 million tons, expected to reach 14 million tons in the coming years. In 2022, production is estimated to reach 8 million tons of wheat, a volume sufficient to meet 62% of national demand. For logistics and market reasons, Rio Grande do Sul exported 2,6 million tons to 14 countries last year. In the first four months of 2022 alone (Jan to Apr), 2,17 million tons were exported.

Despite not guaranteeing self-sufficiency, Brazilian wheat production is growing rapidly. In 2015, Brazil harvested 5 million tons. In 2020, production reached 6,2 million tons. In 2021, it reached 7,6 million tons. The forecast for 2022 is 8,1 million tons. In ten years, if wheat production grows 10% per year, we would go from 8 million tons in 2022 to 20 million tons in 2031, placing Brazil as a potential major exporter of the cereal on the international market.

National Wheat Forum – 29/06/22

15th Meeting of the Brazilian Wheat and Triticale Research Commission – 29th and 30/06/22

Location: Complexo Brasil 21 Events Center, in Brasília, DF

Full schedule in https://www.reuniaodetrigo.com.br