Brazil in the Global Food Regime

What is it about?

This article explains how Brazil became a major player in the global food regime by tracing the internationalization of its agribusiness sector. It argues that Brazil’s rise is the result of two main factors: a long-term domestic alliance between the state and agrarian elites, and broader transformations in the global food regime that created new opportunities for emerging actors. The article also proposes a broader analytical framework to understand how countries gain influence in global food systems. Drawing on a “global history” perspective, it introduces a typology of four strategies through which actors engage with the food regime: internationalization, transnationalization, parochialization, and centralization. Brazil’s trajectory is primarily explained through internationalization—driven by state support and domestic coalitions—and, to a lesser extent, transnationalization, which relies on multinational corporations and global production networks. Together, these strategies help explain Brazil’s growing role in global food production and trade.

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Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article is important because it explains how the global food regime is changing and how emerging actors like Brazil gain influence within it. It shows that global power in food systems is shaped not only by markets, but also by domestic coalitions and state action. By distinguishing between internationalization (state-led) and transnationalization (corporate-led), the article clarifies how countries expand their role in global food production and trade. More broadly, it provides a framework to understand the growing influence of emerging economies in transforming global systems.

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