Brazilian agribusiness exports reached US$5.8 billion in the first four months of the year (January to April), with shipments of 4.8 million tons. This result represents a decrease of -11.9% in value and -9.3% in volume compared to the same period in 2025. Even so, Minas Gerais remained among the three largest exporting states in Brazilian agribusiness during this period, accounting for 10.6% of the national value. According to Manoela Teixeira, technical advisor at the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Seapa), the decline was not widespread. "The reduction was concentrated in a few major sectors, especially coffee and the sugar-alcohol complex. Meat, seeds, cotton, paper, live animals, hides, fruits, and beverages showed positive results in terms of diversification," she explains. The agribusiness sector in Minas Gerais accounted for 71% of Brazilian coffee exports, 30.5% of bee products, 20.4% of dairy products, 12.8% of animal feed, and 11.9% of horticultural products, legumes, roots, and tubers. “This demonstrates the significant scale of exports and leadership in niche value-added chains,” assesses Manoela Teixeira. During this period, more than 500 different products were shipped to 160 countries.
Coffee
Coffee, the main agricultural export from Minas Gerais, reached US$3.2 billion and a volume of 7.4 million bags, representing decreases of 17.5% and 26%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of the previous year.
soybean complex
The soybean complex (grain, meal, and oil) occupied the second position among the main exported groups, with US$ 1.14 billion (-2.8%) and a volume of 2.71 million tons (-8.9%).
Meats
The meat segment (beef, pork, and chicken) was the main highlight of growth in the four-month period, driven by the appreciation of beef. The group exported US$ 576.7 million and 160,000 tons, with an increase of 8.2% in value and 0.7% in volume compared to the same period in 2025.
Sugar and ethanol complex
The sugar and ethanol complex exported US$268.7 million, a decrease of 22.9%, while volume fell by 2.7%. The decline in the average price per ton contributed to this performance.
European Union
The European Union purchased US$1.7 billion worth of agricultural products from Minas Gerais in the first four months of the year, equivalent to 29.6% of the total exports. There was a moderate decrease of -2.9% in value and -2.5% in volume, with the average value remaining practically stable. The bloc remains strategic due to its combination of scale, regulatory requirements, and capacity to absorb products with higher unit value. Exports to the EU are heavily concentrated in coffee, representing 94.4% of the value. Forestry products grew by 42.8% in value, and meat exports more than doubled, albeit on a smaller basis, suggesting opportunities for intra-bloc diversification.
Mercosur
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia purchased US$82.0 million worth of agricultural products from Minas Gerais, representing 1.4% of the total. The value decreased by 2.1%, but the volume increased by 10.1%, with a reduction in the average value. Argentina accounted for 63.2% of Minas Gerais' sales to the bloc, followed by Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Mercosur's composition is more diversified than that of the European Union. Coffee accounted for 38.3% of the value, followed by cocoa and its products, meats, other plant-based products, vegetables, legumes, roots, tubers, and forestry products. This diversity makes the bloc attractive for processed foods, ingredients, beverages, dairy products, chocolates, coffees, and regional consumer goods.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.