In 20 months, the Ministry of Agriculture reaches the milestone of 200 new markets opened

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) achieved an unprecedented feat today by opening 200 new international markets in just over 20 months. Since the beginning of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's third term, around 60 new destinations have been covered, expanding the presence of Brazilian agribusiness on all continents.

“We have reached the 200-market mark. Brazil is a major player in the world today: food, energy and climate security,” celebrated acting president Geraldo Alckmin.

The recent opening of embryos to Russia and yerba mate to Angola and South Korea were essential to reach the milestone. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply's Trade and International Relations Secretariat, the achievement reinforces the government's strategy of strengthening foreign trade and diversifying exports, consolidating Brazil as one of the largest global players in the agricultural sector.

The current number exceeds the sum of the markets opened during the years 2019 (35), 2020 (74) and 2021 (77), when, over the course of 36 months, 186 new openings were achieved. The record achieved this month is already close to the total achieved in the last four years of the previous administration, which recorded 239 market openings.

“The opening of new markets proves the competitiveness and reliability of the Brazilian production sector, recognized in more than 200 countries for its sanitary quality. This international expansion boosts exports, contributing to the positive balance of trade, generating foreign exchange, jobs and income for rural workers,” highlights the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro.

This year alone, 122 new markets have been opened, with almost every month setting all-time records. The monthly figures include 26 new markets in June (13 countries), 16 in July (9 countries), 15 in May (10 countries), 15 in August, 10 in March (7 countries), 7 in February (6 countries), 9 in January (5 countries) and 5 in April (3 countries). So far, 19 new markets have been opened this month across 10 destinations.

The openings include not only traditional Brazilian products, such as meat and soy, but also a diverse range of agricultural products, such as fish, seeds, gelatin and collagen, eggs, animal recycling products, pecans, yerba mate, rice, açaí powder, green coffee, embryos and semen.

“Over the past 20 months, we have created, on average, a new marketing opportunity every three days. This milestone reflects the determination and ongoing efforts of Minister Carlos Fávaro and the entire MAPA team to diversify our export portfolio and expand opportunities for Brazilian agricultural products on the global stage,” emphasizes Roberto Perosa, Secretary of Commerce and International Relations.

These results are the result of joint work between the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE).