Performance analysis of agribusiness companies: a study in Brazil

The objective of this research was to perform a ranking of the 400 agribusiness companies, based on the MOORA multicriteria method, considering financial and market performance. A general ranking, by segment and by shareholder control were analyzed. The research methodology was descriptive, documental and quantitative. The sample consisted of publicly and privately held companies in Brazil with Brazilian and foreign shareholding control. The analysis period comprised data from 2018. The results of the research revealed that the companies that led the ranking of best economic and financial performance were: Baldo, JBS, Suzano/Filbra, Suzano Papel e Celulose, Moinho Anaconda, Yakult, CRA, Guararapes, Bunge, and Manelson Agricola. However, the 10 companies with the lowest economic and financial performance were: Frigorifico Redentor, Grupo Colombo, Abag, Usina Sao Jose da Estiva, Ferrari Agroindustrial, Baldan, Agropalma, Umoe, Usina Alvorada and Quata. As for the results by segment that present the best results, the companies in the Sugar and Alcohol segment, with almost 20% (60 companies), followed by Cotton and grains with 12.6% (40 companies) and defensive fertilizers with 11.7% (37 companies), from the 317 companies analyzed. As a conclusion, the companies with the best performance with Brazilian stockholding control were Baldo, JBS, Suzano/Filbra, Suzano Papel e Celulose and Moinho Anaconda; and in relation to the companies with foreign stockholding control were Yakult, Cenibra, Bunge, Phibro Saude Animal and Cargil Alimentos. The contribution of the article is to highlight the need for comparisons in this important sector that has specificities often ignored in the industrial evolution and to assist in the development of policies aimed at the advancement of agribusiness.