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Agricultural productivity threats in Brazil

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2026-10-31 21:31 UTC → 2026-11-01 00:21 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Agricultural sectors in Brazil are facing significant threats to productivity from various biological and environmental factors. Nematodes, which are microscopic parasites attacking root systems, pose a major risk to corn, soybean, and sugarcane crops. In corn production, economic damages could potentially reach R$ 110.3 billion over a decade, while sugarcane can suffer productivity losses between 30% and 40%. Research by the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) and Croplife Brasil indicates that soybean crops could face productivity losses of up to 55% without adequate protection against pests, diseases, and weeds. Researchers analyzed three scenarios: no control, partial control (40% protection), and optimal control (80% protection). Under optimal control, yields are estimated at 72 bags per hectare, whereas a lack of control could drop productivity to 32 bags per hectare. Failing to implement phytosanitary controls could result in an economic loss of approximately R$ 223.5 billion, equivalent to 121.3 million tons of production. To compensate for such losses, an additional 33.5 million hectares of land, roughly the size of the state of Goiás, would need to be planted. Furthermore, a reduction in supply could drive soybean prices up by as much as 49%, potentially increasing official inflation (IPCA) by 0.26 percentage points due to the impact on products such as oil, milk, and eggs. New projections suggest soybean export revenue could drop from an estimated US$ 44.2 billion under optimal control to US$ 26.6 billion without it, representing a potential loss of US$ 17.6 billion per harvest. While the study emphasizes the need for protection, the use of chemical pesticides remains controversial. Data from the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) indicates that soybean, corn, and sugarcane production account for 76% of pesticide consumption in Brazil, raising concerns regarding environmental and human health impacts.

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