‘Brazil is having a very good year for exports’/
9 questions with IBRAFE’s Najla Souza

What are the main challenges facing Brazil's pulse industry right now?

One of the major challenges we're currently facing is related to port issues. Since March, when flooding occurred in Rio Grande do Sul, much cargo has been redirected to our main port, Paranaguá. This has led to shipping companies imposing new charges and causing problems with shipping windows and scheduling, resulting in additional expenses and fines for exporters. This situation has delayed shipments and increased the exports costs exponentially.

How is Brazil's pulse export performance this year?

Brazil is having a very good year for exports, at least in numbers. As of August, we've already surpassed last year's export volume. In 2023, we exported 140,000 tons, and we've already reached 160,000 tons this year.

How does Brazil's pulse consumption compare to other countries?

Brazil's per capita pulse consumption is around 13-14 kg per year, second only to India, which consumes about 19 kg per capita annually. The main pulses in Brazil are carioca beans, black beans, cowpeas (known as "feijão fradinho"), red beans and LSKB  beans. Carioca and black beans are the most popular due to their lower price and familiarity among consumers. Brazil has always been working towards diversifying production, and the latest news is in alubia and navy bean production. We expect to reduce imports in the next few years, since now production has become viable through the release of a local seed variety.

What is IBRAFE doing to address pricing challenges in the pulse industry?

IBRAFE has developed the "National Bean Price" index. We collect daily price and quantity data from our associates across various Brazilian states. This helps provide a national benchmark for bean prices, considering regional market variations. We publish detailed information for our associates and a more generalized version for the broader pulse community through our website and social media.

How is IBRAFE working to encourage pulse production in Brazil?

We're working to make the market more stable and attractive to producers. We're also advocating for better public policies to support pulse production, similar to what we've observed in India. Additionally, we're promoting the benefits of pulses to both the government and consumers, particularly highlighting their role in sustainability and food security.

What new export markets is Brazil exploring for pulses?

We're seeing great potential in Central America and Mexico, particularly for black beans. We're also working on opening the Colombian market, which is geographically close but currently doesn't allow bean imports from Brazil. Additionally, we're in negotiations to open the Chinese market, which could revive green mung bean production in Brazil.

What's the status of Brazil's black matpe exports to India?

The export of black matpe to India has been successful, growing from 5,000 tons to 50,000 tons. However, there's uncertainty about India's import policy after March 31, 2025. We're actively engaging with Indian authorities to seek more predictability in this market.

How is Brazil's pulse industry addressing sustainability concerns?

Brazil has strict rules, laws, and oversight regarding sustainable agricultural production, which applies to pulses as well. We're working to highlight the sustainability aspects of pulse production, particularly in the context of the upcoming COP30 in Brazil.

What potential do you see for pulses in regenerative agriculture?

There's significant potential for pulses, particularly pigeon peas, in transforming degraded pasture areas into productive agricultural land. This could address both environmental concerns in Brazil and food security issues in countries like India. However, there are still some regulatory hurdles to overcome, such as finalizing phytosanitary protocols for exporting pigeon peas to India.

Anything else you’d like to share with the GPC community?

I'd like to invite the pulses community to join the Brazil Superfoods Summit, an event that will take place on 7-8 April in Brasília. In this event, we will deepen this conversation and showcase to our international visitors the best of Brazilian agriculture, through a visit to farms and processing facilities.