Brazilian Agricultural Commodity Insights for International Buyers

Brazil is the world’s largest soybean exporter, shipping a record 108.2 million tonnes in 2025. This guide walks first-time buyers through specification, timing, ports, contracts and documents.

1. Define the specification

Brazilian soybeans are usually traded on standard export terms such as those of ANEC, Brazil’s grain exporters’ association, with limits for moisture (commonly 14% max), foreign matter, broken and damaged beans. Agree every parameter and the analysis method in writing before you negotiate price.

2. Decide GMO status early

Most Brazilian soybeans are genetically modified. Non-GMO soybeans are available in smaller volumes, need segregated logistics and usually carry a premium — tell your supplier at the very start if you need them.

3. Time your purchase

The harvest runs mainly from January to May, so new-crop supply is strongest from about February to July. Buying in this window generally gives the widest choice of origins and shipment slots.

4. Choose port, term and vessel

Most soybeans leave through Santos, Paranaguá, Rio Grande, São Francisco do Sul, Itaqui or the Arco Norte terminals. Bulk vessels suit large lots; containers suit smaller volumes. Agree FOB, CFR or CIF with a named port.

5. Contract, inspection and documents

The contract should name the inspection company, payment method and documents: commercial invoice, bill of lading, MAPA phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin and quality and weight certificates.

Brazil’s second corn crop, the safrinha, is planted straight after the soybean harvest and now produces most of the country’s corn — and most of its corn exports.

What is safrinha?

Safrinha means “little harvest”, but the name is now misleading. Farmers in Mato Grosso, Paraná, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul plant corn immediately after harvesting soybeans, from about January to March, and harvest it from June to September.

How big is it?

Conab’s September 2026 survey expects 112.1 million tonnes from the second crop in 2025/26, out of roughly 144 million tonnes of total corn — close to four-fifths of Brazil’s output.

Why buyers should care

Because the second crop is harvested mid-year, Brazilian corn export supply peaks from about July to January. That makes Brazil a natural alternative to Northern Hemisphere origins in the second half of the year.

What to watch

Rainfall in April–May, when the crop fills grain, is critical. Freight from Mato Grosso to the ports, domestic demand from corn ethanol plants and competition from US and Argentine corn all influence availability and price.

Brazil is the world’s leading sugar exporter. Its two main export grades — VHP raw sugar and ICUMSA 45 refined white sugar — serve very different buyers.

VHP raw sugar

Very High Polarization (VHP) sugar is raw cane sugar with high sucrose content, shipped mostly in bulk vessels to refineries that process it further. It is priced in relation to the ICE No. 11 raw sugar futures contract.

ICUMSA 45 white sugar

ICUMSA 45 is refined white sugar with a colour of 45 ICUMSA units or less, ready for food and beverage use. It is usually shipped in 50 kg bags or big bags, by container or break-bulk, and priced in relation to the London No. 5 white sugar contract.

Which one do you need?

Refiners buy VHP; distributors, food manufacturers and retail packers usually buy ICUMSA 45. Specification sheets should state polarisation, colour, moisture, ash and solubility limits.

A word of caution

Unsolicited ICUMSA 45 offers with very low prices, large “monthly” volumes and requests for upfront fees are a well-known warning sign in the market. Always verify the seller and insist on independent inspection and secure payment terms.

The loading port affects freight cost, transit time and the risk of waiting at anchor. Here is how Brazil’s main agricultural export ports compare.

Santos (São Paulo)

Brazil’s largest port and the main outlet for sugar, coffee, orange juice and many grain and container shipments. Excellent connections, but line-ups can be long at peak season.

Paranaguá (Paraná)

A key port for soybeans, soybean meal, corn and vegetable oils from southern and central Brazil.

Rio Grande & São Francisco do Sul

The southern ports, serving Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina — important for soybeans, rice and wheat.

Arco Norte

Terminals in Pará, Amazonas and Maranhão, such as Barcarena, Santarém, Itacoatiara and Itaqui, receive grain from Mato Grosso by road and river barge. They are closer to Europe and North America and their share of grain exports has grown strongly.

How to choose

Compare the origin of the cargo, vessel size and draft limits, current line-ups, freight to your destination and the risk of demurrage. We recommend the port case by case in every offer.

Africa and the Middle East are important, food-security-driven markets for Brazilian sugar, corn, soybeans, rice and vegetable oils. Here is what importers in these regions should plan for.

What the regions buy

Importers across North and West Africa and the Gulf regularly source Brazilian sugar, corn, soy products and vegetable oils, with rice and other staples depending on local harvests and prices.

Transit and timing

Ocean transit from Santos is roughly 2–3 weeks to West and North Africa and about 4–6 weeks to Gulf ports, depending on route and port calls. Plan purchases around Brazil’s harvest calendar to secure supply.

Documents and compliance

Expect phytosanitary certificates from MAPA, certificates of origin and, where required, health, halal or fumigation certificates. Requirements differ by country, so share your import rules at the enquiry stage.

Payment and risk

Documentary letters of credit are widely used for these trades. Independent inspection at loading protects both sides on quality and weight.

The trade term decides who books freight, who insures the cargo and how your price is built. Here is a simple worked example.

FOB – Free On Board

The seller delivers the goods loaded on your vessel at the Brazilian port. You book and pay the ocean freight and insurance. Best for buyers with their own freight contracts.

CFR – Cost and Freight

The seller also books and pays freight to your port, but risk still passes to you once the goods are on board in Brazil. You arrange insurance.

CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight

As CFR, plus the seller buys minimum cargo insurance for your benefit. Convenient for buyers who prefer a delivered price.

Worked example (illustrative only)

If a commodity costs US$ 400/t FOB Santos and ocean freight to your port is US$ 45/t, the CFR price is about US$ 445/t. Adding insurance of, say, US$ 0.60/t gives a CIF price of about US$ 445.60/t. Real prices and freight change daily.