CNA: Higher food production alone cannot end hunger in Brazil
Senator Tereza Cristina (PP-MS) requested and chaired the special sitting under request REQ 18/2026 to mark World Food Day. Parliamentarians, federal government officials and representatives of producer organisations attended. The event took its theme from the FAO’s 2026 campaign slogan, “Innovate today to nourish tomorrow”. Brazil exports food to more than 190 countries and records annual agricultural production highs.
Cleber Oliveira Soares, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa), outlined the additional output he said would be needed to meet global demand in 2050: 40 million tonnes of protein and 1 billion tonnes of grain. He put the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity at about 800 million, with another 2 billion facing chronic food insecurity. Soares said Brazil’s production capacity could meet part of that demand. In his assessment, production and exports increase food availability and economic activity, while also contributing to international food security.
Julia Cortez, from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), presented figures on the domestic economic contribution of agro-industry. The sector added R$1.4 trillion to GDP in 2025 and generated approximately 2 million direct jobs and 10 million indirect jobs. She emphasised the distribution of economic benefits throughout the supply chain, as well as the quantity of food produced.
Oliveira called for measures to reduce poverty, create employment opportunities, raise incomes and keep food prices affordable. He advocated policies combining productivity, sustainability and competitiveness with economic growth and fiscal stability. Osmar Junior, representing the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and the Fight Against Hunger, also emphasised access. He acknowledged the importance of Brazilian food production and said its availability needed to be accompanied by public policies ensuring that people could obtain it.
Science and technology were another focus of the sitting. Tereza Cristina linked agricultural advances to investment in scientific work, research and technology. Senator Jayme Campos (União-MT) highlighted the breadth of the food supply chain, describing the involvement of farmers and co-operatives as well as transport operators and traders.
Daniela Marreco Cerqueira, representing the health regulator Anvisa, advocated closer integration among public institutions, businesses, universities and civil society. Her intervention formed part of the discussion of innovation and the participation of different institutions in the food sector.
Other participants included João Dornellas, executive president of Abia; Marcos Borges de Castro, representing CNI; and Alexsandro França Martins, president of Abip.
