Buckwheat market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Buckwheat production in Brazil steadily increased from 63.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 65.4 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight decline to 64.8 thousand tons in 2023. The domestic market volume fluctuated between 60 and 63 thousand tons, influenced by export levels. Early expansion was supported by growing cultivation area in southern states like Paraná, where buckwheat is valued for crop rotation and nutritional benefits.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for staple foods, including grains, supporting consumption. However, a significant rise in exports reduced domestic availability. From 2021, a support program by Protecta stimulated production by supplying seeds to farmers and purchasing harvest for export, with 95% of output directed to foreign markets, especially Asia for noodle production.

By 2023, strong international demand, particularly from Japan, drove prices for gluten-free buckwheat up by 26%, reaching a 15-year high. Concurrently, changes in state taxation, such as the modification of ICMS in Pernambuco, and climatic challenges affected the industry. Fomento programs and sustainable crop rotation practices continue to support buckwheat cultivation, focusing on export and niche markets.

Production buckwheat in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Brazil ranked 5th globally in buckwheat production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of buckwheat, 2018-2021

World map of production of buckwheat, 2018-2021

Brazil's buckwheat production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 64 811 tons, marking a 1.2% increase from 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, production rose by 2.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Brazil's buckwheat production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 36 676 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 25.0% rise compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 25.6%, with an average annual rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 29 056 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports buckwheat from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 099 tons and peaked in 2020 at 2 827 tons, representing a 2.6-fold difference. In 2021, Brazil exported 2 638 tons of buckwheat, a gradual decline of 6.7% from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 39.0%, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 157.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Brazil's buckwheat exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit a low in 2019 at 502 thousand US dollars and a high in 2021 at 1 493 thousand US dollars, varying by a factor of three. In 2021, exported buckwheat volumes from Brazil amounted to 1 493 thousand US dollars, a 15.2% year-on-year advance. The largest decline was in 2019 at 39.8%, and the largest increase was in 2020 at 158.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Japan accounted for almost all of Brazil's buckwheat exports in value terms, with a share of 98.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports buckwheat to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with Italy alone responsible for 100.0% of total imports in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, buckwheat imports to Brazil were primarily shipped from Italy, which absorbed 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021