Mexico, Brazil Seek to Strengthen Agri-Food Trade

Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) and the Embassy of Brazil in Mexico agreed to work on a bilateral strategy to enhance the food trade between the countries.

Francisco Calderón, Director, the National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA) met with Fernando Coimbra, Brazil’s Ambassador to Mexico, to outline their agendas to provide food and increase the market opportunities for producers.

Mexico imports Brazilian poultry meat and recently-authorized pork imports from the state of Santa Catarina. Juan Gay Gutiérrez, General Director of Animal Health, SENASICA, said the risk assessment for beef trade is still being reviewed. He provided the Brazilian delegation with two documents requesting them to update the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) status of Brazilian beef and pork exporting areas. With these updates, SADER would be able to begin the risk assessment for the recognition of other Brazilian areas free of this disease. 

Coimbra stressed that Brazil exports beef to more than 140 countries, including the US, Japan, Canada, China and the EU. Therefore, the health status of its exporting companies is fully documented. Moreover, regarding pork, he requested the extension of authorization to export from the states of Parana and Rio Grande do Sul, competitive regions in the global market as they export meat to more than 80 countries. According to Coimbra, a similar strategy to the one applied in Santa Catarina could be used to achieve this. Moreover, the diplomat underscored that the plants of these two regions are ready to be audited by Mexico’s health authorities.

Coimbra pointed out that “as a result of global economic uncertainty, cooperation and trade between Mexico and Brazil offer the opportunity to supply markets with healthy and safe products at competitive prices.”

Furthermore, Calderón announced that Mexico will seek to progressively strengthen its exports of products such as avocado, lemon and asparagus to Brazil.

"Brazil is a strategic partner for our country, so we continue to work towards facilitating trade and providing quick responses to food importing and exporting companies," Calderón said. He added that health is a priority issue in Mexico, so SADER seeks to operate science-based actions and programs to provide the highest level of protection to the Mexican countryside.

Both delegations agreed to hold work meetings over the next few days to advance the bilateral agenda.

Between January and August 2022, Mexican agricultural imports from Brazil grew notably as a result of the Inflation and Famine Package (PACIC). In this regard, poultry purchases increased by 125% with US$299 million worth of imports, corn by 63.9% with $96.2 million, eggs by 109% with US$20.9 million and rice by 210% with US$72.9 million.