Wheat milling in Brazil grew 3% in 2024

The Brazilian Wheat Industry Association (Abitrigo) released the results of the Wheat Milling Survey for 2024, which indicate a 3% growth in the volume of grain milled in Brazil compared to 2023. In total, more than 13,19 million tons of cereal were processed in 150 industrial plants distributed throughout the country, consolidating an increase of 380.432 tons in the period.

“The observed growth reinforces the importance of the milling chain for Brazil’s food security and demonstrates the sector’s resilience in the face of economic and climate challenges,” says Abitrigo CEO Rubens Barbosa. The growth that is higher than population growth points to the adoption of wheat-based products as a priority food source for Brazilians.

The destination of the flour produced followed the trend of previous years. The main destinations for wheat flour were: bakery and premixes (30%), pasta industry (15,4%) and biscuit industry (11,9%).

The CEO emphasizes that the data collected in the survey are essential to guide the sector’s operating strategies. “This survey is an indispensable reference for the national milling industry. Based on it, Abitrigo will continue to work with its associates to strengthen the production chain and meet market needs with excellence,” he explains.

Use of imported wheat and storage

A relevant piece of data from the survey was the analysis of the dependence on imported wheat in Brazilian production, which represents around 50% of the grain consumed. In 2024, according to the survey, the North and Northeast regions had the highest proportion of use of imported wheat, with almost all the volume of processed cereal coming from other countries. “This dependence reflects the lack of self-sufficiency in local production and the need for efficient logistics strategies to guarantee supply,” he highlights.

He also emphasizes that this scenario highlights the importance of international trade for the wheat chain in Brazil and suggests opportunities for the development of policies aimed at expanding national production, especially in regions with high demand and less access to national wheat.

Another relevant aspect was the analysis of the static storage infrastructure in industrial plants, which revealed strategic adaptations according to regional specificities. “This is a major demand for improvement in the sector: the need for financing lines to expand silos to guarantee national wheat stocks, avoiding exports during the harvest, despite Brazil's insufficient wheat production, and having to import during the year,” he highlights.