New import rules by the European Union should improve the competitiveness of Brazilian peanuts

Last week, the European Economic Community published a new rule for importing foodstuffs from third countries. The document states the reduction of controls on Brazilian peanuts, which will bring greater agility in imports, with a significant improvement in the competitiveness of the national product in that market.

“The reduction in European controls was only possible thanks to the controls carried out by the production sector under the supervision of the Department of Products of Plant Origin”, highlights the general coordinator of Plant Quality, Hugo Caruso.

All peanut batches destined for the European Union (EU) are certified by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) and, to this end, exporting companies must have controls at all stages of the production process, so that the peanut meets to quality standards and above all to the levels of mycotoxins (substances produced by fungi) established by legislation. 

Mapa also carries out periodic audits at companies to ensure that the peanuts produced, whether for export or the domestic market, are safe and suitable for consumption.

“The concern about mycotoxins arises from the fact that they can cause serious damage to the health of the consumer and, therefore, the need for strict control so that the product made available to the consumer is within acceptable limits”, explains Caruso.

In March 2021, after seeing constant improvements in the sector, Mapa published the Normative Instruction No. 126 with new procedures for peanut exports that aim to further expand exports. The work carried out over several years by the productive sector together with the Ministry has now been ratified with the European Union's decision.