Brasília – Brazil should work this year to win an agricultural product import market that includes several countries, with potential to increase foreign sales by up to US$ 10 billion, mainly in the area of meats. This information was disclosed today (18), in a press conference, by the minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Reinhold Stephanes.
According to the minister, the markets in question still involve impasses, mostly sanitary and phytossanitary, but negotiations are in progress and difficulties may be overcome this year due to the Brazilian missions. This year, Brazil also wants to sell more pork, soy (mainly to Mexico), dairy and fruit.
Stephanes said that, last year, agribusiness was responsible for 42% of Brazilian exports, which is record for the last 30 years. In 2009, there was expansion of the quantity of Brazilian products shipped abroad, although there was 9.8% reduction in prices as against 2008, due to the international financial crisis.
According to the ministry, Brazil should promote 19 trade missions to 25 countries this year, aiming at expanding the export basket. “We are selling to 180 countries, but we could further expand buyer markets."
Another 12 commercial promotion delegations should visit several countries, in a project developed with the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
"The work of the missions is intensive and permanent and many times it may take up to ten years,” said the minister. He explained that a questionnaire sent by Brazil to Japan, for example, weighs 50 kilograms in paper. "The work is hard, but necessary for commercial expansion.”
*Translated by Mark Ament
