China Races Into Brazil's Farm Machinery Market

How fast is China growing in Brazil's farm machinery market?

Chinese imports of agricultural machinery in Brazil surged 400% between 2020 and 2025, jumping from US$ 41 million to US$ 212.9 million. In the first four months of 2026 alone, imports already reached US$ 75 million, and the January–May period showed 17% growth year-on-year.

Which Chinese companies are entering the market?

It is not only giants making the move. Mid-sized firms like LJ Tech (Jiangsu Lanjiang Intelligent Technology Co.) are carving out space alongside established leaders. LJ Tech arrived in Brazil three years ago and currently operates 15 agro-robotic sprayer units in the country. The robot — roughly the size of an SUV — navigates pre-recorded routes with 2.5 cm precision, using GPS, LIDAR, millimetre-wave radar and a camera for autonomous obstacle avoidance. The model with a 500-litre tank costs around R$ 400,000.

What obstacles do Chinese brands still face?

China ranked second in Brazil's agricultural machinery import ranking in 2025, yet holds only 1.5% of total sector revenue, according to Abimaq. Pedro Estevão Bastos, president of Abimaq's Sectoral Chamber for Agricultural Machinery (CSMIA), acknowledges weaknesses in after-sales service and spare-parts availability. Access to key public-financing programmes such as Moderfrota and Pronaf is also restricted because they require at least 50% local content — pushing Chinese brands to explore local manufacturing.

What is the broader market context?

The overall farm-machinery market is under pressure. Sales of 49,800 units in 2025 represented a 3.6% decline — the fourth consecutive annual drop — driven by high interest rates. Chinese expansion is therefore intensifying competition in an already difficult environment.