Wheat industry responds to challenging global scenario

With a record number of participants, the 2025 International Wheat Industry Congress opened this Tuesday (21), in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together experts, authorities and representatives of the national and international milling chain. In a time of intense debates on competitiveness and sustainability, the meeting puts on the agenda strategic topics such as tax reform, technological innovation and Brazil's progress towards self-sufficiency in grain production. 

At the opening ceremony, Abitrigo's CEO, Rubens Barbosa, highlighted the industry's strength and the relevance of the discussions proposed at this 32nd edition. "The massive attendance demonstrates the supply chain's commitment to global challenges and reinforces the importance of understanding the market in both a national and international context," he stated. 

The president of the organization's Deliberative Council, Daniel Kümmel, celebrated the number of registered participants—615—and highlighted the role of Abitrigo, which represents 80% of the country's milling. "The 13,2 million tons milled in 2024 demonstrates the competence, resilience, and commitment of the more than 150 companies that guarantee domestic supply," he emphasized.  

Representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Secretary of Agricultural Policy Guilherme Campos Júnior stated that the government is working to support the reduction of external dependence on wheat and encourage sustainable production policies. Representative Luiz Carlos Hauly, meanwhile, advocated the implementation of VAT 5.0 as an essential tool for modernizing the tax system and boosting economic growth. 

Tax reform should reorganize the wheat chain 

During the lecture that opened the second day of the event, Destrava Brasil's economic director, Luiz Renato Hauly, and the company's legal director, Victor Hugo Rocha, warned about the structural impacts of the tax reform planned for 2026. According to the professionals, the new tax model will require planning and adaptation throughout the production chain, with an emphasis on the role of mills as articulators of the process.  

"The reform isn't just tax-related; it's structural. It will change economic dynamics and require greater efficiency and organization throughout the entire chain," Hauly emphasized. 

Geopolitics and economics challenge the wheat supply chain in an unstable global scenario 

Political scientist Gustavo Segré and economist Zeina Latif, a partner at Gibraltar Consulting, joined forces for the Congress's opening lecture, which analyzed the impact of geopolitical and economic changes on the sector. Segré discussed the developments of the Donald Trump administration and their implications for Latin America, highlighting political realignment and institutional weakening as factors requiring attention for Brazil. "Trump should seek to slow China's economic expansion, and attention should be focused on the meeting between John Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng," he emphasized, indicating that US foreign policy could directly affect Latin American trade relations. 

Zeina Latif reinforced that, despite the uncertain global environment, there is room for moderate optimism in the country. She emphasized the importance of risk management and market diversification in the face of fiscal and exchange rate pressures. "The exchange rate reflects internal and external uncertainties, and reducing fiscal risk will only come with structural reforms that increase budget flexibility," the economist noted, also highlighting Brazil's demographic challenges and untapped consumption potential.  

Efficiency, management and sustainability drive competitiveness  

Competitiveness in the wheat sector is undergoing a transformation that requires more efficient management, strategic use of technology, and a commitment to sustainability. This was the main focus of the Congress's first panel, which focused on "The Competitiveness of the Wheat Business." The debate was moderated by Abitrigo advisor Marcelo Vosnika and featured J.Macêdo CEO Irineu Pedrollo, Falconi Consultores vice president André Paranhos, and Kellanova's head of procurement for Brazil, Glauco Ferreira. 

Opening the panel, Vosnika presented a national overview of the milling industry, comprised of approximately 150 mills, with the largest concentration in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. "With direct revenue of R$26 billion per year and approximately 30 direct jobs, the sector also operates an extensive chain of services, inputs, and logistics," he stated.  

For André Paranhos, management maturity is essential to face this new scenario. "Management, in essence, is about solving problems and achieving goals. To achieve this, it's necessary to align organizational culture, commercial strategy, and leadership preparation," he explained. Irineu Pedrollo advocated for management based on efficiency and commercial strategy, while Glauco Ferreira highlighted the potential of Brazilian wheat as a global benchmark in sustainable production.