São Paulo – The business meetings promoted during the Agrishow, the world’s second largest event for the agricultural sector, which ended last Saturday (2nd), in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of the state of São Paulo. The meetings should result in over US$ 12 million in exports for the 34 Brazilian companies that took part in the event. More than 270 meetings were held with 10 importers from 16 different countries, among them Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Sudan, the latter of which, by the way, placed an order during the negotiations.
This was the 10th edition of the International Business Roundtable at Agrishow, organized by the Brazilian Machinery Manufacturers Association (Abimaq) with support from the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex). "The visit of these importers was very interesting, because they were able to get in contact with Brazilian farmers, discuss pricing and see the local products," said the director of foreign market at Abimaq, Mario Mugnaini.
According to him, Abimaq always seeks to diversify the foreign buyers that it invites to Agrishow. "But we always try to bring people from countries in North Africa and the Middle East," he said. Last year, for example, the event was attended by importers from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. "We have also brought importers from Syria and Lebanon," he added.
According to the director, besides the fair and business meetings, Abimaq took the buyers on a tour of the Advanced Technological Research Centre for Sugarcane Agribusiness of the Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC), which attracted the interest of the Sudanese, especially concerning ethanol production. "They showed lots of interest," said Mugnaini, who underscored that the Arab country is starting to manufacture ethanol.
The Foreign Trade assistant at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, André Caserta, went to the fair to speak with the organisers of the business roundtables, in order to try to bring a higher number of Arab importers to the next edition. "The fair fits the profile of the Arabs well," stated Caserta.
725 exhibitors
Agrishow, considered the main showcase for agribusiness technology and new developments, was held from April 27th until May 2nd and brought together 725 exhibiting companies from 10 different countries. Approximately 2,000 new types of equipment, products and services were presented, such as agricultural machinery, tractors, harvesters, pulverizers, irrigation equipment and systems, agricultural and highway implements, lorries, among others.
*Translated by Gabriel Blum
