Cassava market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava market in Brazil began the period with state-supported initiatives to expand processing capacity. In 2018, Emater-MG, linked to the State Secretariat of Agriculture, assisted producers in setting up agro-industries for frozen cassava production, investing in equipment like freezers and packaging machines. This facilitated the entry of new regional players and broadened commercialization to neighboring municipalities. Despite a slight dip to 17 596 thousand tonnes in 2019, market volume recovered to 18 198 thousand tonnes in 2020.

In the following years, the market showed resilience with a focus on value-added segments. Brazil's participation in the global cassava derivatives market remained below 1% of exports in 2021, highlighting room for growth. Technical studies in 2022 demonstrated strong consumer acceptance and economic viability for minimally processed and frozen cassava, prompting development of this niche. After a modest contraction to 17 825 thousand tonnes in 2022, production rebounded to 18 419 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by these emerging frozen product lines.

Production cassava in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Brazil ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of cassava.

Top producers of cassava, 2018-2021

World map of production of cassava, 2018-2021

Brazil's cassava production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 18 221 thousand tonnes of cassava, showing broad stability compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 17 593 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Brazil's cassava production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 18 105 million US dollars, indicating a moderate decrease of 6.9% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value fell by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 173 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 22.7%.

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

Exports cassava from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Brazil's cassava exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totalled 196 tonnes, showing an 11.2% year-on-year advance. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 327.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 62.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Portugal, and Uruguay formed the key group of partners for Brazil's cassava exports in kind. The United States accounted for 32.0% of exports, Portugal for 24.5%, and Uruguay for 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 75.3% of total export 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

Cassava deliveries from Brazil increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 194.6 thousand US dollars, which is 3.4% higher than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 257.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 52.8%.

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

During 2018-2021, the United States, Portugal, and Uruguay led the structure of Brazil's cassava exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 42.9% of exports, Portugal for 20.3%, and Uruguay for 8.2%. Collectively, these three partners represented 71.4% of total export 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 cassava to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 426 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 83.9% year-on-year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 2 642 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 100.2%. The difference between these years showed a 6.2-fold amplitude.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay was the almost exclusive supplier of cassava to Brazil, accounting for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import value stood at its lowest in 2020 at 21.8 thousand US dollars, which is 85.0% weaker than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 145.7 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 57.6%. The variation between these years showed a 6.7-fold difference.

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

In 2018-2021, Paraguay effectively concentrated imports in value terms of cassava to Brazil, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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