Brazil seeks unified soybean traceability system to support exports

Brazil is considering the introduction of a unified soybean traceability protocol aimed at facilitating international trade and increasing confidence in Brazilian agricultural exports. The proposal, developed by the Brazilian office of the World Resources Institute (WRI), seeks to integrate existing monitoring systems for soybeans and beef without introducing new regulatory requirements.

According to WRI Brazil, the country already has numerous tools for monitoring deforestation and tracing agricultural products, but they operate under different standards and criteria. This fragmentation makes it difficult for international buyers and investors to assess compliance with environmental requirements and evaluate supply chain risks.

The study reviewed 21 certification schemes, voluntary agreements, public platforms, and traceability systems. It found significant differences in deforestation criteria, indirect supplier monitoring, auditing, and verification procedures, reducing confidence in existing systems and creating additional challenges for exporters.

For the soybean sector, WRI recommends extending traceability to the individual farm level, integrating traders, cooperatives, and government platforms into a single system, and standardizing commercial documentation. The proposal also includes establishing mechanisms to block suppliers that fail to meet social and environmental standards, particularly those related to deforestation.

According to WRI, a unified protocol would help Brazil better comply with international requirements, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The report also highlights that China, the largest importer of Brazilian agricultural commodities, could work together with Brazil to help establish an international traceability standard for soybean and other agricultural supply chains.

Tags: deforestation, export, Brazil, soybean, environment