Iran buys more Brazilian agribusiness products despite war

Despite the war and the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Brazil’s exports to Persian Gulf countries reached US$4.13 billion from January through April, slightly above the US$4.12 billion recorded in the same period last year.

The January-April figure is the second highest at least since 1997, behind only 2024. The year 1997 marks the start of Brazil’s foreign trade data series available on Comex Stat, the platform operated by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services.

The result was mainly due to exports in January and February. The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran began on Feb. 28 and caused Brazilian sales — as well as those of other countries that supply the Gulf — to plunge in March and April.

There was, however, one exception: in April, Brazilian sales to Iran regained strength and reached US$346.1 million, up 86% from US$185.7 million a year earlier.

In 2025, Iran was the largest buyer of Brazilian corn. According to the National Association of Cereal Exporters (Anec), shipments to Iran this year through April were nearly equal to the same period in 2025, at about 2.4 million tonnes.

Soybeans, corn, and soybean meal were among the leading Brazilian commodities purchased by Iran in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. The following breakdown highlights the market share of these products, according to Datamar’s maritime cargo data:

Top Exports to Iran | Q1 2026 | WTMT

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In the first four months, the United Arab Emirates was the top destination for Brazilian exports to the Gulf, at US$1.28 billion. Iran was the second-largest destination, at US$912.06 million.

According to people who monitor trade in the region, even if Hormuz remains closed, the region’s imports — especially of food and animal feed items — are expected to adapt and regain some momentum, although through other routes.

“They have other routes. Land routes that come through Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. They have also reactivated at least 10 land routes, mainly by road, through Pakistan. And there are also freight trains coming from China,” Brazil’s ambassador to Iran, André Veras, told Valor.

According to Anec, Iran’s Imam Khomeini port, near the border with Iraq, had been the main reference point for grain unloading. Bandar Abbas, in the Strait of Hormuz, was also widely used. Now, the strategic port is Chabahar, outside the strait and the Gulf.

Transporting by road or rail what previously arrived by ship is more costly. But it is the option left for the region. Mohamad Mourad, secretary-general of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, also points to the importance of alternative routes to keep trade moving.

“Flows at ports on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, including the port of Jeddah, have increased. From there, cargoes move by truck to other Gulf destinations. Part of the cargo goes to Dammam, and from there continues by truck or by ship to other points,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz lies south of Dammam, allowing carriers to bypass logistics restrictions.

Source: Valor Econômico

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