Energy versus Food : How Do Countries Differ?

Through the use of input-output analysis and the system of national account, this paper presents new methodological insights in ways to estimate and to measure the Agribusiness GDP of a nation. Using data for the Brazilian economy it was possible to measure the GDP of Brazilian Agribusiness, which were estimated to be around 27% of the Brazilian GDP in 2000. The GDP of the Agribusiness was also estimated for two major complexes: a) Vegetal Products and b) Animal Products. Each of the Agribusiness complexes was divided into four components: a) inputs to agriculture; b) agriculture; c) agriculture based industry; and d) final distribution. From a disaggregated perspective regarding the composition of the Agribusiness, the results point out that the agriculture based industries and the final distribution components are dynamic poles in this agrarian transformation process. The contribution of the different sectors to the Agribusiness GDP confirm that the Agribusiness adds value to the agricultural raw materials, with the warehousing, processing and final distribution sectors tending to be more and more representative in the value of the output sold to the consumer