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In 2020, Brazil raised more than US$ 28.4 billion from the sale of soybeans to China, 14.5% more than what was obtained from January to November 2019. According to Conab, China has the potential to import 80% of the total anticipated volume.
One issue now concerns producers. The proposal for a new Chinese soybean standard is being discussed at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The proposed change brings some differences that may influence the grain classification. In the Ministry of Agriculture's assessment, what could interfere is the new requirement for grain moisture. Currently, the limit in Brazil is 14%, while in China it is 13%.
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For the Brazilian body, the value proposed in the new Chinese standard should not be used to classify soybeans as it may fluctuate depending on temperature. Brazilian soy standards in Brazil are also being discussed. The Brazilian standard, from 2007, is currently undergoing changes. “While we discuss the new national standard, we cannot ignore the standard of our largest consumer market (China)”, said the director of the Agricultural Defense Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Glauco Bertoldo.
The new Chinese standard will determine terms and definitions, classifications, quality requirements, testing methods, inspection rules, labels, packaging, storage and transportation requirements for soybeans. For the Commercial and Marketing Director of LocSolution, a company that works with grain moisture meters from the Motomco brand, Manoella Rodrigues da Silva, at first, the new standard should not significantly impact the Brazilian market. She evaluates it as positive if the intention is to improve the quality of the grain.
Manoella notes, however, that despite Brazil's productive capacity, the international market's demands regarding grain quality have increasingly intensified. “High-quality grains basically depend on a good cultivar, environmental conditions during their development, the right time and harvesting procedure, drying method and storage practices”, he explains.
“Still, there is great concern among rural producers about knowing exactly when to harvest. This is a key factor in obtaining the quality of the grain, which must be within the stipulated moisture parameters, which in Brazil is 12% to 14%”.
Manoella notes, however, that despite Brazil's productive capacity, the international market's demands regarding grain quality have increasingly intensified. “High-quality grains basically depend on a good cultivar, environmental conditions during their development, the right time and harvesting procedure, drying method and storage practices”, he explains.
“Still, there is great concern among rural producers about knowing exactly when to harvest. This is a key factor in obtaining the quality of the grain, which must be within the stipulated moisture parameters, which in Brazil is 12% to 14%”.
One way to determine the exact moisture content of the grain and the right time to harvest is by monitoring the crop. To do this, the rural producer needs to have access to the tools available on the market to obtain the best result on grain moisture. “Grain moisture meters are already quite common on rural properties and allow the producer to know exactly the right time to harvest”, emphasizes the director.
In Chinese quality standards, soybeans with less than 75% of perfect grains did not have a classification and are now classified as “out of type”. The Chinese standard also addresses the issue of perfect grains, but in Brazil there is no definition for perfect grains, only for grains that have suffered some problems, that have some damage or defect. Brazil awaits clarification to understand the new Chinese rules and how the regulation will be implemented.
By: Eliza Maliszewski | agrolink
