Brazil is responsable for some 28 percent of the world's soybean production, with the estimate of a production of 57 million tonnes in the 2006 crop. The country is the world's second largest producer and exporter of soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil. The soybean complex, which gathers the productive chain of soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil, is the main item in the country's Trade Balance. In 2005 Brazilian soybean complex exports reached US$9.5 billion.

ABIOVE, the Brazilian Oilseed Processors Association, was formed in 1981 and has 10 members companies who are responsable for approximately 72 percent of Brazil's soybean processing volume.

ABIOVE's objective is to represent the vegetable oil industries, cooperate with the Brazilian government as regards policies related to this sector, promote Brazilian products, support its members, generate statistics and prepare sectorial studies.

The vegetable oil industries also produce other several items for the food industry, such as fat, margarine and vegetable cremes, lecithin, tocoferol and proteins.