Brazilian Wheat Imports Could Reach Record 9 Million Tonnes This Season

Brazilian wheat imports are expected to reach a record 9 million tonnes in the 2026/27 crop season, according to Rubens Barbosa, executive president of the Brazilian Wheat Industry Association (Abitrigo). He made the forecast during the association’s congress in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, Oct. 22.

According to Abitrigo, the increase in overseas purchases is driven by a sharp decline in domestic wheat production caused by a combination of adverse factors, particularly weather-related problems affecting the main producing states in southern Brazil. These conditions have reduced crop yields and grain quality across several regions.

“As a direct result of this reduced domestic wheat supply, Brazil will record its highest import volume in 30 years,” Barbosa said during the event’s opening session.

Port throughput data from Datamar show that Brazil imported 13,270 metric tons of wheat through August. The chart below shows the main countries of origin by market share:

Wheat Imports | Jan 2024 – Aug 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner – explore our trade data

The Abitrigo executive also highlighted the challenging international environment facing Brazil’s milling industry. “Volatility in production costs and fluctuations in international prices have influenced planting decisions, resulting in a harvested area below the country’s agricultural potential,” he said.

Barbosa warned that the combined difficulties affecting the crop are expected to drive prices higher. “This combination of factors putting pressure on wheat costs in 2026/27 will affect the price of flour and products made from it, such as bread, pasta and others,” he cautioned.

Record Brazilian Wheat Imports Pose Logistics Challenges

For Daniel Kümmel, chairman of Abitrigo’s deliberative council, the main concern is whether Brazil has the capacity to import such a record volume of wheat.

“Brazil has always imported wheat. Our mills have been doing this for decades. The challenge now is different: scale. We have never brought in this much wheat from abroad. Operating at this scale requires everything to come together at once: ports, warehouses, working capital and foreign exchange,” Kümmel said.

Source: Globo Rural

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