Future perspectives of soybeans in Brazil: production, yield and area expansion

Soybean is a species originated from China. It was introduced into Brazil, and its cultivation expanded from Northern to Southern areas of the Country, mainly due to the breeding studies with the juvenile trait carried out by Embrapa Soybean. It is the major agricultural crop in Brazil, representing over 10% of the total Brazilian exports. Brazil ranks second in the production of the crop in the world. Rates of expanding the production from the 2001/02 to 2002/03 crops reached the expressive value of 24,6%. It is estimated that the 2003/04 crop will yield from 58 to 60 million tons. If this expansion rate is kept, in three to four year period, Brazil will be the world leader in the production of this crop. Brazil is the country with the greatest agricultural potential. its climate is excellent for the crop, and its soils can be easily corrected for the cultivation of soybeans. Soybean has a potential of being cultivated in Brazil in an area from 110 to 145 million hectares. Considering an average productivity of 3,000 kg/ha, this area will yield from 330 to 435 million tons of the grain. These values represent from 1.7 to 2.3 times the world production of the crop obtained in 2003, which reached over 190 million tons.