I read an very good article on Brazil and other South American neighboring countries published by Stratfor and available through John Mauldin’s “Investors Insight”  If you have not been living under a rock for the last ten years, you would know that Brazil has emerged as the leading nation in this hemisphere and ranks up there with China as one of the 800 pound gorillas in the room.  If you are involved in any form of international business, you need to learn why this country has grown so rapidly, it future growth potential, the opportunities that exist there and its challenges.  Read the entire article here

If you have any interest in investing in South America, whether it is a home or an agricultural property, I have a friend  who is based in Buenos Aires and has  a strong commercial, farming and real estate background spanning over 30 years.  His firm can handle any type of real property transaction, is well staffed and cover the major market areas in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.  He reports that most commodity-exporting countries of South America are facing highly favorable conditions—particularly those with stronger fundamentals, who have easiest access to external financing and stand to benefit the most from low global interest rates. Foreign direct investment in the eleven economies of the region increased almost 20% during 2010 compared to the same period a year ago.

The region’s economy expanded 6% in 2010 and according to ECLAC´s latest report; South America will grow 5.1% in 2011. In terms of countries, the fastest growing this year will be Argentina (8.3%), Peru (7.1%). Uruguay (6.8%), Ecuador (6.4%), Chile (6.3%), Paraguay (5.7%) followed by Colombia (5.3%), Venezuela (4.5%) and Brazil (4%).

For its soils and weather conditions, abundance of natural resources, good infrastructure and the unique possibility of acquiring large extension of productive farmland; South America is indeed worldwide considered a top place to buy, lease and manage agricultural lands for profit. The region accounts for 59% of global exports of oil seeds, 11% of grains and 37% of meat; with Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay being among the top 10 food exporters.