Brazilian agribusiness plays a decisive role in the country's energy transition, accounting for 60% of all renewable energy consumed nationwide. This is according to a study by FGV (Getulio Vargas Foundation), conducted by the institution's Bioeconomy Observatory.
According to the survey, without the participation of the agricultural sector, the share of clean sources in the Brazilian energy matrix would fall drastically — from 49% to around 20% —, placing the country at a level similar to the global average, estimated at around 15%.
According to Luciano Rodrigues, coordinator of FGV's bioenergy center, agribusiness boasts a series of natural and structural advantages that favor the use of clean energy throughout its production chain, such as its tropical climate; extensive production with less irrigation requirements; high productivity per hectare; and the use of technology adapted to the country's conditions.
However, this advantage coexists with a vulnerability: dependence on diesel. "In 2022, 73% of the energy used directly in Brazilian agriculture came from fossil fuels, especially diesel. This makes the sector sensitive to external shocks, such as fluctuations in oil prices or geopolitical crises," explains the researcher.
Energy efficiency in agricultural production
The FGV study also analyzed the sector's energy efficiency based on the GJ/USD1000 metric — that is, the amount of energy consumed to generate one thousand dollars of gross value from agricultural production.
In 2022, Brazil recorded an energy intensity of 1,9 GJ per thousand dollars, close to the global average of 1,7 GJ. This indicator suggests moderate competitiveness, revealing that the country is capable of generating agricultural value with relative energy efficiency compared to developed nations.
Even so, the survey indicates that there is room for improvement, especially in agro-industrial segments with lower added value, where the relationship between energy consumed and value generated is still less efficient.
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O FGV study was based on data provided by BEN (National Energy Balance), the main official instrument for monitoring the evolution of the Brazilian energy matrix.
In addition, information from FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), EPE (Energy Research Company) and global models such as GTAP-Power (expansion of the GTAP database) were used. Global Trade Analysis Project – focusing on electricity).
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