Political behavior of agribusiness during Bolsonaro government

Abstract

The article analyzes the different political positions of sectors within Brazilian agribusiness regarding the government of Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) and the Bolsonarist movement. Although agribusiness was often identified as one of the main beneficiaries of the policies implemented during this period, it is emphasized that the sector is not homogeneous, as it consists of bourgeois fractions with distinct interests and demands. To explore these differences, five associations are examined: the Rural Democratic Union (UDR), the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (Abag), the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove), the Brazilian Association of Soybean Producers (Aprosoja Brasil), and Aprosoja Mato Grosso (Aprosoja-MT). The analysis, based on official documents and statements from the leadership of these entities, covers the Bolsonaro administration, including significant political events such as the September 7 protests and the developments of the 2018 and 2022 elections. The hypothesis is that UDR, Aprosoja Brasil, and Aprosoja-MT, representing medium-capital rural producers, largely adhered to Bolsonarism, supporting the government unconditionally. On the other hand, Abag and Abiove, linked to large capital and international interests, expressed reservations, particularly regarding environmental policies and threats to democracy. Based on the characterization of Bolsonarism as a neofascist movement, the study concludes that the political representation of medium-sized producers played a crucial role in this phenomenon, supporting attacks on democratic institutions and social movements considered progressive and/or left-wing.