Qual a Diferena em Plantar Soja no Brasil ou nos Estados Unidos, Jornal da Globo

Summary

The script compares the soybean production and transport logistics in the United States and Brazil, highlighting the efficiency differences between the two countries. While Brazil’s soybean production is more productive and cheaper to grow, the higher transport costs and infrastructure issues in Brazil reduce its competitiveness. In contrast, American farmers benefit from better logistics, including river transport and more efficient ports. The challenges faced by Brazilian farmers are illustrated through the lengthy and obstacle-filled transportation routes, contrasting sharply with the quicker and more cost-effective methods in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 The soybean planted in both the United States and Brazil is equally valuable, but the production costs and logistics differ greatly between the two countries.
• 😀 Despite lower production costs in Brazil, U.S. farmers have a higher profit margin due to more efficient transportation and logistics.
• 😀 The 'Custo Brasil' (Brazilian cost) makes the transportation of soybeans in Brazil much more expensive, contributing to lower profits for Brazilian farmers.
• 😀 In Mato Grosso, Brazil, farms can produce 11% more soybeans per hectare compared to U.S. farms, demonstrating Brazil's superior productivity.
• 😀 Despite higher productivity, Brazilian farmers face significant challenges with grain storage and transportation, resulting in logistical inefficiencies.
• 😀 In contrast, U.S. soybean farms benefit from better infrastructure, such as efficient transportation systems and quicker access to storage facilities, resulting in lower costs.
• 😀 The journey for Brazilian soybeans to the port takes up to a week, while in the U.S., it takes much less time due to shorter distances and better infrastructure.
• 😀 The cost of transporting soybeans in Brazil is seven times higher than in the U.S., significantly impacting the final profitability for Brazilian farmers.
• 😀 The port costs in Brazil are twice as high compared to the U.S., further increasing the cost for Brazilian soy producers.
• 😀 American farmers recognize the superior planting and harvesting techniques in Brazil and are even visiting Brazilian farms to learn from the practices, although U.S. infrastructure remains far more efficient.

Q & A

What are the main advantages of soybean cultivation in the United States compared to Brazil?

The main advantage of soybean cultivation in the United States is the more efficient logistics and transportation system. The cost of planting soybeans in the U.S. is higher, but the efficiency in transportation and port costs helps make it more profitable for American producers. In contrast, Brazilian farmers face higher transportation and port costs, even though the cost of planting is cheaper.

How does the productivity of Brazilian soybeans compare to that of American soybeans?

Brazilian soybeans are more productive, with a farm in Brazil producing 11% more than a farm of the same size in the U.S. This higher productivity is a result of favorable climatic conditions and modern farming practices.

What are the major challenges for Brazilian soybean producers when it comes to transportation?

Brazilian soybean producers face significant challenges in transportation, including poorly maintained roads, traffic congestion, and long travel times. The roads are narrow and dangerous, leading to frequent accidents and delays, which increase transportation costs.

Why is transportation faster and cheaper in the United States compared to Brazil?

In the U.S., soybeans are transported more efficiently via rivers and railroads. The use of barges and trains allows for faster and cheaper transportation, as opposed to Brazil, where road transport is often delayed due to infrastructure issues and long travel distances to the port.

How long does it take for Brazilian soybeans to reach the port compared to American soybeans?

It takes nearly a week for Brazilian soybeans to reach the port, while American soybeans can be transported much faster due to better infrastructure and shorter distances to ports.

What role do U.S. farmers play in observing Brazilian farming practices?

U.S. farmers have been traveling to Brazil for over 15 years to learn from Brazilian farming practices, particularly to understand how Brazil achieves such high productivity in soybean farming. Some U.S. farmers are even investing in land in Brazil to capitalize on its efficient farming methods.

What is the significance of the 'Custo Brasil' mentioned in the script?

The 'Custo Brasil' refers to the high costs of doing business in Brazil, which include transportation and infrastructure issues. This increases the overall cost of getting soybeans to market, making it less competitive than U.S. soybeans despite cheaper planting costs in Brazil.

What percentage of Brazilian soybeans are exported through the route described in the script?

About 60% of Brazilian soybeans are exported through the route described, which involves a long journey through Mato Grosso to the port of Santos.

Why is the logistical challenge in Brazil considered a major factor affecting soybean pricing?

The inefficiencies in Brazilian logistics, such as high transport costs and slow travel times due to poor road conditions, increase the overall cost of getting soybeans to market. This reduces the amount of profit that Brazilian farmers make from each ton of soybeans compared to their U.S. counterparts.

How do American farmers view Brazilian soybean farming in terms of efficiency?

American farmers are impressed by the efficiency of Brazilian soybean farming, particularly the high productivity levels. However, they acknowledge that Brazilian transportation infrastructure lags behind the U.S., which impacts the overall competitiveness of Brazilian soybeans on the global market.