Rice: Technology, Efficiency and Market — How to Produce and Sell More of the Grain on the Brazilian Table

The rice is the second most consumed cereal in the world and the food most present on the Brazilian table along with beans. The country harvests more than 10 million tons per year — with Rio Grande do Sul accounting for 70% of irrigated production — and is at the same time an importer and exporter, depending on the crop and international prices.

The rice value chain moves more than R$ 25 billion per year in Brazil and involves everything from the small rice grower in Rio Grande do Sul to large industrial beneficiadoras. The price differential between conventional polished white rice and brown, organic or special variety rice (arbóreo, venere negro, basmati nacional) can reach 200 to 400% — representing a huge opportunity for producers and traders who understand the premium market.

When the rice chain is strengthened with precision technology, water resource management and differentiated marketing channels, we fundamentally improve productivity, environmental sustainability and producers' profitability. This segment can contribute greatly to job and income generation in Brazil.

Participate in our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of national agriculture — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock and much more.

The series Inovação Para o Brasil Produzir Mais was developed precisely to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and around the world, across the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, up-to-date data and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government and marketers.

1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce irrigated and rainfed rice with water efficiency and quality for premium markets

The productivity of irrigated rice in Southern Brazil already exceeds 8 tons per hectare in the best systems. The path for the small and medium producer is to adopt the best water management and quality control practices — which determine the percentage of whole grains in processing and, therefore, the selling price.

✔ Laser leveling of the soil for uniform water layer — reduces water consumption by 25% and increases productivity

✔ Choice of cultivar: BRS Catiana (irrigated), BRS Sertanejo (sequeiro) and special varieties such as BRSMG Relâmpago

✔ Integrated weed management, especially arroz-vermelho — main problem for quality and productivity

✔ Control of brusone and escaldadura with preventive fungicides in critical stages

✔ Proper beneficiamento: correct parboilização and polishing are decisive for the percentage of whole grains

✔ PRONAF Custeio and PRONAF Mais Alimentos for financing and mechanization of irrigated crops

The E-Book 01 — Manual Estratégico para o Pequeno Produtor Rural presents, in a detailed way, the best solutions for the segment and the other 254 agricultural segments in Brazil — with a focus on method, cost reduction and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for R$ 50 →

2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

Which equipment, technologies and services the rice chain demands from the producer to beneficiamento

The rice chain is one of the most equipment-intensive in all Brazilian agriculture — especially the beneficiamento, where descascadeiras, brunidoras, classificadoras and empacotadoras of high precision define the commercial type of the product.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Engenharia Elétrica e Computação — automation of beneficiadoras, control of descascadeiras and brunidoras, quality monitoring panels;

Engenharia Eletrônica e IoT — grain moisture sensors, optical color classificadoras and batch traceability;

Engenharia de Controle e Automação — laser leveling, automated irrigation pumps and control of submersion time;

Engenharia Mecatrônica e Robótica — high-efficiency colheitadeiras for irrigated crops, grain conveyors and drying systems;

Engenharia de Energias Renováveis — solar for irrigation pumping — one of the largest energy demands of rizicultura;

Ciência de Dados e Inteligência Artificial — field mapping, sensor-based control of the water layer and traceability of the grain from field to consumer.

✔ Maintenance and calibration of colheitadeiras for irrigated rice — critical service in the harvest window; concentrated demand and immediate payment

✔ Solar pumping systems for crop irrigation — payback of 3 to 5 years; very high demand in RS and the Center-West

✔ Optical classificadoras and grain cleaners — essential service for beneficiadoras to access regional supermarkets

✔ Technical assistance in parboilização and beneficiamento — differentiates the product and increases industrial yield

✔ Batch traceability systems for organic or IG certification — passport to premium markets

The E-Book 02 — Guia Estratégico para o Micro e Pequeno Fornecedor Local maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation and specialized technical services. Access now for R$ 150 →

3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the rice-producing municipality can transform the chain into an engine of employment, income and regional identity

Municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso, Maranhão and Pará have rice as the backbone of the rural economy. The municipal manager who supports the rice chain protects rural jobs, attracts beneficiadoras and can position the municipality as a reference in premium products.

✔ Support for municipal parboilização projects — adds value to rice before it leaves the municipality

✔ Subsidized soil leveling program — the largest productivity improvement investment for family rizicultura

✔ PNAE with local beneficiated rice — guarantees institutional market for family production at a differentiated price

✔ Attraction of beneficiadoras and parboilizadoras — retains added value in the municipality and generates jobs

✔ Municipal IDM: rice as an indicator of water efficiency, agricultural productivity and food security

The E-Book 03 — Guia de Referência para Governos Municipais presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 agricultural segments. Access now for R$ 450 →

4. Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How the rice chain generates opportunities for those who trade, process and distribute locally

Rice is the highest volume food sold in Brazilian food retail — and also one of those that show the greatest price differential between the commodity product and the differentiated product. One kilo of polished white rice is worth R$ 3 at wholesale. The same kilo, brown, certified organic, with QR Code of origin and premium packaging, can be sold for R$ 12 to R$ 20. The merchant who understands this equation and accesses the right suppliers has one of the largest margin opportunities in food retail.

Special varieties — arbóreo rice for risotto, venere negro rice, cateto brown rice and red rice — have a growing presence in restaurants and delis, with margins much higher than conventional white rice. The merchant who sets up a section of special and organic rice immediately differentiates from the competitor who only sells rice from large industrial brands.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for retail and local foodservice:

Certified organic brown rice— premium market with high growth; worth 3 to 5× conventional white rice on the shelves;

Arbóreo rice for risotto— expanding gastronomic niche; Italian and fusion restaurants pay a 200 to 400% premium;

Venere (black) rice and red rice— superfoods with high nutritional appeal; delis and natural food stores with margins above 300%;

Regional parboilized rice packaged— high-turnover product for regional supermarkets; origin identity adds 20 to 40% value;

Cateto brown rice from small producers— artisanal product with identity; fairs and subscription boxes; margin of 2 to 3× the industrial product;

Rice flour and rice starch— ingredients for gluten-free baking; growing demand in functional bakeries and natural food stores.

Trader profiles and their specific opportunities

✔ Grocery stores and warehouses: brown rice and locally packaged parboilized rice — high turnover with margin superior to products from big brands

✔ Delis and natural food stores: organic rice, black rice and red rice — premium niche of high value with 15%/year growth

✔ Italian and gourmet restaurants: arbóreo rice for risotto with identified origin — menu differentiator with local supplier

✔ Bakeries: rice flour for gluten-free products — growing functional market with a loyal audience

✔ Regional distributors: parboilized rice from local beneficiadoras — recurring volume for supermarket chains in the interior

✔ Digital platforms: special rice with organic certification and producer story — high-engagement product in subscription boxes

Growth strategies for the local merchant

The key for the local merchant is partnership with regional beneficiadoras and cooperatives — which allow access to special and organic varieties with origin identity at competitive prices. The merchant who sets up a premium rice section with 5 to 8 differentiated, packaged and identified varieties creates a differential that large chains simply cannot replicate with the same authenticity.

Pronampe and BNDES Finame are the main lines for merchants who want to invest in their own beneficiamento equipment (descascadeira, brunidora, empacotadora) — transforming bulk rice from the producer into packaged product with margins 3 to 5× higher.

The E-Book 04 — Guia Estratégico para o Pequeno Comerciante de Produtos Agropecuários maps 30 trader profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 agricultural segments. Access now for R$ 150 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By purchasing any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Members who form groups will be able to organize in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide. The minimum number of members varies according to the group's profile:

✔ Small Rural Producers: 100 members

✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies: 33 members

✔ Municipal Governments: 10 members

✔ Small Agricultural Product Retailers: 33 members

⭐ Special offer: I will provide a 100% discount on the value of my working hour for the first 10 events held in Brazil, scheduled and confirmed by March 31, 2026.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Teaching experience: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of engineering experience