Beans: Brazil Breaks Export Record

Brazil has just reached a historic milestone: between May 2024 and April 2025, the country exported over 400,000 tonnes of beans, generating more than BRL 2 billion in revenue and consolidating its position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of pulses — a group that also includes peas, lentils, and chickpeas.

This record was crowned by a crucial international recognition: the Sustainability Award presented by the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) in Singapore to the Pulse Day project. Created by the Brazilian Institute of Beans, Pulses, and Special Crops (Ibrafe), Pulse Day connects producers with the latest innovations, fosters knowledge sharing, bridges the gap between research and the field, and promotes more efficient and sustainable farming practices.

Behind these impressive numbers lies a journey spanning decades. Brazil, which once exported only three bean cultivars, now supplies over 75 countries with more than 20 varieties — the result of collaborative efforts among producers, researchers from Embrapa, IAC, IDR-Paraná, and exporters, who, together with Ibrafe, have expanded markets and improved the global competitiveness of Brazilian beans.

However, significant challenges remain. The sector faces severe logistical bottlenecks, including congested ports, a shortage of Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) inspectors to clear shipments, poor road conditions, and bureaucratic red tape that drives up costs and delays operations. In a highly competitive global market, with major players such as India, Canada, the United States, and Australia, every delay represents a significant missed opportunity.

In addition to technical solutions, Brazil relies on vital institutional allies. Agricultural attachés abroad, supported by Mapa, the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), have played a key role in opening doors, unlocking trade negotiations, aligning sanitary protocols, and positioning Brazilian beans as a competitive and reliable product.

Below is a historical overview of Brazilian exports of beans and other dried leguminous vegetables starting from January 2022. The chart was created using DataLiner data:

Brazilian Exports of Beans and Other Dried Leguminous Vegetables | Jan 2022 – Apr 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Furthermore, the Brazil Superfoods project, developed by Ibrafe with support from ApexBrasil, has helped expand the presence of Brazilian beans and other pulses in premium markets, reinforcing their image as sustainable and healthy foods that align with global consumption trends.

Sustaining this export growth will require investment in infrastructure, digitalization, traceability, and certifications. Strengthening Brazil’s logistics and customs framework is essential to ensure the country continues to advance in the global market with efficiency and innovation.

The GPC award is not just symbolic — it signals that when research institutions, producers, government, and the private sector work together, the results are tangible. Global leadership in pulses requires strategic alignment and a long-term commitment.

Marcelo Lüders is president of Ibrafe, a pulses expert, and works to promote Brazilian beans in both domestic and international markets.

Source: Canal Rural

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