Brazil’s Interco to Export 500 Tons of Special Beans Amid Growing Global Demand

Interco, a commodities startup, has partnered with the Brazilian Institute of Beans and Pulses (IBRAFE) to develop a project to export unique beans from Brazil, including introducing a third crop, despite facing climate and logistical challenges. According to the company, which is also a member of the Global Pulses Confederation (GPC), this growth is driven by the increasing demand from international markets, such as those in Asia, the Arab world, and Africa. According to data from Future Market Insight, the global pulses market, which includes unique beans like mung beans, black matte, and brown beans, was valued at $71.76 billion in 2022, with projections to reach $122.89 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. Interco has already scheduled shipments of 500 tons of these legumes this year.

Among the markets that will receive Brazilian special beans, India stands out as a key destination, importing about 3 million tonnes annually, which accounts for about 20% of the global pulses consumption. China, another major importer, is expected to see an annual growth rate of 6.4% until 2033, making this market a significant opportunity for Brazilian exporters. During a recent trip to Macau, Interco Trading’s executive director, Nicholas Taylor, attended an event focused on the export of beans. He says the market thrives, and Brazil is well-positioned to exploit this trend.

“We have two major allies in this scenario: the APEX Brazil Superfoods project and IBRAFE itself. Both promote missions and meetings with key buyers at events held at embassies in priority markets. In addition, there are ongoing negotiations with several governments to reduce tariffs on Brazilian beans. A key highlight is the discussions with the Chinese government, whose pulses market, valued at more than $10 billion annually, represents a potential milestone for the Brazilian sector, given the high level of competitiveness of our producers and the quality of our products,” he explains.

The main challenge is the infrastructure of Brazilian ports, which is currently overwhelmed. According to Marcos Ferraz, commodities director at Interco Trading, the lack of predictability in Brazil’s economic policies discourages larger investments in domestic production. “From our perspective as a private company, it’s important to have research and investment in new varieties in the Brazilian market and to add value jointly with producers to export beans to other continents,” he adds.

According to Ferraz, the Brazilian market is a leader. “Interco, with its forward-looking vision and aligned with IBRAFE’s partnership strategy, is seeking producers to meet the growing international demand. It is estimated that the global pulses market will continue to expand, leading to healthy business growth in the coming years,” he concludes.

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