Brazil projects 110 million tonnes of soybean exports in 2026–2027 season

Across the BRICS countries and other nations, scientific advances have also been made in soybean and grain production, ranging from genetic improvement to innovations in crop management.

Scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences have identified bioactive peptides derived from soybean protein that significantly improve physical endurance, according to a study conducted on laboratory rats. The experiments showed that these peptides, obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis, increased the animals' swimming capacity by more than fivefold compared with baseline levels. The effect was achieved through cellular signalling mechanisms rather than simply by increasing amino acid levels in the body. The findings, reported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, open up new prospects for the development of functional nutrition products designed to combat fatigue and enhance physical performance.

Chinese scientists from the Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Wu Yongrui and Wang Haihai, have discovered a method to significantly increase the protein content of maize by identifying two key genes from wild varieties that act synergistically. The team had previously identified the THP9-T gene and has now added the THP3-T gene, with the combination increasing the protein content of maize from 8 per cent to 15 per cent, according to Science and Technology Daily, a TV BRICS partner. This scientific breakthrough represents a promising solution for strengthening food security by improving the nutritional value of one of the world's most widely cultivated cereal crops.

Agricultural innovation is also advancing in BRICS partner countries, including Nigeria, where 57 new crop varieties have been approved to boost productivity and strengthen food security.

The country has accelerated food production across 14 staple crops, including rice, maize, yam, soybean and plantain. Developed for earlier maturity, higher yields and greater resistance to pests and diseases, these varieties will enable farmers to maximise production even on limited areas of land, according to the  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a TV BRICS partner. The farmers' association has welcomed the government initiative, which aims to increase yields and strengthen the climate resilience of Nigeria's agricultural sector.