In 2021, Brazilian agribusiness broke export records, reaching US$120 billion. Taking advantage of the positive trend in the sector, the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) has been working to expand the international insertion of Brazilian companies and consolidate the positive image of national agriculture. The results speak for themselves: in the first quarter of 2022, ApexBrasil supported the participation of more than 300 companies in 15 international food and beverage fairs held in 12 countries, with closed business volume of US$800 million and US$3,7, 12 billion projected for the next XNUMX months.
According to ApexBrasil's Agribusiness Manager, Márcio Rodrigues, Brazilian agriculture is increasingly present in major global events. “There is greater importer confidence in Brazil, which was strengthened during the pandemic. Furthermore, there is global recognition of the quality and sustainability of our food and beverages, ensuring that demand remains strong. These aspects, added to the global appreciation of food and beverage prices, form a virtuous cycle for our exporters,” he stated.
The results for the first quarter of 2022 prove this growth trend. From January to March, food and beverage exports increased by 46,1% compared to the same period in 2021, reaching US$33,9 billion, US$10,7 billion above the previous year. This record increase was reflected in the sector's trade balance, which reached US$30,1 billion, an increase of almost 56% compared to the same period in 2021.
In March this year, beef sales stood out, showing an increase of 55,3% in value and 21% in volume compared to the same month in 2021. Since the beginning of the year, Brazil has managed to increase its share in the international market of this animal protein, increasing the quantity sold to the main destinations, including China, the United States and Egypt, in addition to opening up new markets. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, the World Bank's food price index reached a record level in March 2022: an increase of 11,6% compared to February and 36,6% compared to the same month of 2021.
Through commercial promotion actions by ApexBrasil and its sectoral partners in the first quarter of the year, Brazilian companies had access to a wide agenda of fairs: World Coffee Dubai e Specialty Coffee Expo, in Boston, two important events for coffee farming; ISM Cologne, in Germany, the largest sweets and snacks exhibition in the world; Winter Fancy Food e SIAL America, two food industry fairs held in Las Vegas; PRODEXPO, Russia's largest and most important food fair; Vinexpo America, an exhibition of the wine and beverage sector, held in New York; Natural Products Expo West, in California, specializing in organic and natural food; FOODEX Japan, one of the most relevant food fairs in Asia; International Food and Drink Event (IFE), the UK's leading event for food professionals; International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE), held in Atlanta, focusing on innovative processes for the food industry, mainly meat, poultry and eggs; It is Global Pet Expo 2022, for the pet sector.
The highlights were Gulfood, held from February 13th to 17th in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and Seafood Expo North America, held between March 13th and 15th, in Boston, in the United States. In total, 114 companies participated in the largest food sector fair in the Middle East, with US$362 million in deals closed on site and another US$3 billion projected for the subsequent 12 months. At the North American event, US$411 million were negotiated, with projections of another US$452 million.
Brazil also stood out in areas that are expanding its participation in the international market. This is the case of the fruit sector which, in 2021, exceeded US$ 1 billion in sales, an absolute record in the historical series. A Fruit Logistica Berlin 2022, the largest fair in the fruit growing sector in the world, organized between April 5th and 7th, had the participation of 45 companies, which contracted US$5 million and lined up another US$48 million in future business, that is, around 5 % of the total exported last year in a single event. The action is the result of a partnership between ApexBrasil and the Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivatives Exporters (ABRAFRUTAS).
According to the director of the company Be Fruit, Luiz Eduardo Raffaelli, the Fruit Logistics It represented an important milestone in the resumption of business, as the entire fruit growing market was present. “The fair was very important to open new horizons, contact new customers and meet old customers, as we hadn't seen them for two years”, he commented. The company's main activity is the export of lemons, with weekly shipments to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and, more recently, Chile. Raffaelli states that exports vary between 70 and 50% of business, depending on the quality of the harvest. A fundamental point to guarantee success in the foreign market is obtaining certifications. “The way to show our production transparency and guarantee space in the international market is to obtain quality seals. I invest a lot of work and resources into this,” he stated. The company has the Rainforest Alliance, GlobalG.AP, SMETA and GRASP seal, both social, among others, ensuring quality throughout the production and logistics chain.
The Boa Esperança Special Coffee Producers Cooperative, in Minas Gerais, is another example of the difference that certifications make in the international market. The cooperative already exports between 70 and 80% of its production to the USA, Canada, Germany and other European countries, and the expectation is to reach more markets. To this end, it has Fair Trade certification and organic product seals valid in the USA, Japan and Europe, in addition to the Brazilian seal. According to the cooperative's financial director, João Paulo Pinheiro, the certificates guarantee the traceability of the product from the customer who buys the coffee at the fairs to the final consumer. “Since 2015 we have had completely organic production, which helps to open the market due to the quality of the product. This is our differentiator”, he concluded.
The director, who has already participated with the cooperative of SIAL America This year, it will also participate in the Expo ANTAD & Alimentária México 2022, in Guadalajara, from May 17th to 19th, and expectations are high. “It is very worthwhile going to international fairs, as we meet new buyers, expose our product to the world and publicize the company's name. So the gain is both commercial and in the credibility we now have with customers”, he assessed. The cooperative has also signed up to participate in other events supported by ApexBrasil, such as Biofach, in Nuremberg, Germany, which will take place between July 26th and 29th. According to João Paulo, this support is fundamental. “ApexBrasil helps companies, as it greatly facilitates access to the foreign market,” he stated.
And there is still a lot to come. In partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), ApexBrasil has scheduled for 2022 the largest calendar of food and beverage fairs ever offered to Brazilian businesspeople, 41 in total. In addition to the 15 fairs already held, Brazilian companies will have access to a further 26 international events by the end of the year. Entrepreneurs who are interested in participating in fairs abroad can register on the ApexBrasil website, at this link
where it is also possible to ask questions and obtain clarifications about regulation and participation in each fair.
ApexBrasil works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors. Throughout 2021, the agency supported a total of 14.741 Brazilian companies, through the various services offered, reaching a result 1,8% higher than that achieved in 2020. The agency's work with Brazilian companies unfolds into three major programs final objectives: business qualification, commercial promotion and internationalization.
The gradual resumption of in-person events in 2021 allowed ApexBrasil to once again encourage and lead the participation of Brazilian companies in fairs, prospective and commercial missions and business rounds, among other commercial promotion actions. The Agency is part of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), through which it has more than 120 offices around the world, and works in close collaboration with other ministries, regulatory bodies, and professional associations.
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