Macron and Brazil clash over soybean

French President Emmanuel Macron believes that it is better for Europe to grow soy itself than to import it from Brazil. According to Macron, Europe contributes to the deforestation of the Amazon with the import of Brazilian soy.

"We are consistent in our ecological ambitions, we are fighting to grow soya in Europe," French President Macron wrote. Twitter† Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão immediately responded by saying that the Frenchman does not know where the majority of soy comes from. He points out to Macron that only a small part comes from the Amazon. He also says that Brazil has a competitive advantage over France, because relatively less land is used for agriculture.

Soy import is under discussion
In the European Union, there has been discussion for some time about soy imports from Brazil and the harmful effects of cultivation in the country. In 2020, Europe will have imported approximately 8,4 million tons of Brazilian soy, making it the country's most important buyer (after China). Several Member States have had plans for some time to become less dependent on imports. In December, for example, the Netherlands launched 'the National Protein Strategy'. European soya is mainly grown in France, Romania and Italy. Cultivation was introduced in the Netherlands in 2013. The acreage here remains limited and amounted to just under 2020 hectares in 150, according to data from Farmer & Bunder.

Brazil hopes to increase its exports to the European Union, partly through the Mercosur trade agreement, in which Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are also represented. Macron is against the treaty. because he believes that France cannot make a deal with a country that does not respect the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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