São Paulo’s agribusiness sector reached new historic heights in 2024, setting records for both the value of exports and the trade balance. With a total export of R$184.7 billion, the sector grew 6.8% compared to 2023, while imports totaled R$34 billion, an increase of 11.9%. The sector’s trade balance surplus reached R$150 billion, representing an increase of 5.8% year-on-year.
The figures, released by the São Paulo Department of Agriculture and Supply, through the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (Apta), reinforce the state’s leadership in national agribusiness. The sector’s exports represented 43.2% of the state’s total exports, while imports accounted for 7.4% of São Paulo’s total.
Although the other sectors of the São Paulo economy recorded a trade deficit of R$180.41 billion, the positive performance of agribusiness prevented an even greater negative balance in the state’s foreign trade. Among the main products exported by São Paulo’s agribusiness in 2024, the following stand out:
Sugar and alcohol complex: Responsible for 40.1% of the sector’s exports, totaling R$74.16 billion, with sugar representing 93% and ethanol 7%.
Meat: Second place, with 11.6% share and R$21.52 billion exported, with beef being the main item, at 84.2%.
Forestry products: Representing 10.2% of the total exported, with R$18.93 billion, composed mainly of cellulose (54.9%) and paper (37.4%).
Juices: With a 9.6% share and R$17.78 billion in exports, orange juice accounted for 98.1% of the value.
Soy complex: Despite the 38% drop in revenues, the sector recorded R$13.68 billion, with soybeans accounting for 78.9% of the total.
These five groups accounted for 78.9% of total exports from São Paulo’s agribusiness sector. The traditional coffee group occupied sixth place, with R$7.71 billion in sales, 71% of which was green coffee and 24.8% was instant coffee.
In 2024, the sector recorded significant variations in export revenues. The coffee group led the growth, with an increase of 42.9%, followed by juices (+29.7%), forestry products (+16.3%), meats (+13.4%) and the sugar and alcohol complex (+11.6%). In contrast, the soybean complex showed a significant decline of 38%, reflecting fluctuations in prices and export volumes.
China maintained its leadership as the main market for agricultural products from São Paulo, with R$35.57 billion imported, despite a drop of 19.1%. The European Union came in second place, with R$23.45 billion, while the United States came in third, registering significant growth of 21.5%, with imports of R$20.8 billion.
Agribusiness in São Paulo represented 18.6% of Brazilian exports in the sector in 2024, standing out in categories such as juices (84.1% of the national total), sugar and alcohol complex (62.5%) and products of plant origin (63%). Despite the growth in São Paulo, Brazilian agribusiness exports registered a drop of 1.3% compared to 2023, totaling R$991.15 billion. Even so, the sector’s surplus of R$874.77 billion was crucial to offset the deficit of R$425.17 billion recorded by other sectors of the national economy.