Brazilian soy will be tested in South Korea for food manufacturing

Brazilian soybeans are attracting interest from South Korea, as Embrapa Cerrados and Korea Agro-Trade Center São Paulo have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop non-transgenic soybean cultivars for food products like tofu. This partnership aims to identify high-protein soybean varieties that align with South Korean consumption patterns and diversify grain suppliers. The logistics of conventional soybeans are complex, requiring meticulous care to ensure purity and avoid contamination, especially for the niche market of tofu production in Asian countries. Supported by the South Korean Embassy in Brazil, the agreement seeks to enhance food security and agricultural relations between the two nations.

Brazilian soybeans are being viewed favorably by a new market. Embrapa Cerrados and Korea Agro-Trade Center São Paulo, a South Korean company, signed this Friday (19) a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership between the companies. The objective of the Asian company is to search for non-transgenic soybean cultivars in Brazil with good performance for the manufacture of food products, which are widely consumed on the continent. The main product is tofu, a vegetable cheese made from soy milk. Other widely consumed items in that country are miso, a fermented grain paste, and drinks based on oilseeds. The general head of Embrapa Cerrados, Sebastião Pedro (winner of Character Soja Brasil 21/22), stated that, initially, soybeans from five cultivars developed by the entity were sent to be tested in South Korea. “They are materials rich in protein, which is important for these food industries. Based on food processing tests, we can improve these materials until we obtain a ...