Key Takeaways
- A Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) delegation is visiting the UAE to strengthen trade relations and highlight Brazil’s agribusiness potential.
- Led by Vice-Minister Irajá Rezende de Lacerda, the delegation includes senior officials focused on international trade, agricultural defense, and economic planning.
- The UAE ranks as the sixth-largest importer of Brazilian agricultural products, with exports rising by 45.52% from 2023 to 2024.
- The delegation is participating in Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, meeting with Emirati officials, and visiting agro-industrial facilities.
- Discussions include expanding exports of tropical fruits, addressing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, and reinforcing sustainability commitments ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
Brazilian Delegation Aims to Expand Agricultural Trade with UAE
A delegation from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) is visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance trade relations and promote Brazil’s agribusiness capabilities.
Led by Vice-Minister Irajá Rezende de Lacerda, the delegation includes:
- Luís Renato de Alcântara Rua, Secretary of Commerce and International Relations
- Carlos Goulart, Secretary of Agricultural Defense
- Fernando Magalhães Soares Pinto, Undersecretary for Budget, Planning, and Administration
The UAE, which ranks as the sixth-largest importer of Brazilian agricultural products, has seen a 45.52% increase in imports from Brazil between 2023 and 2024. This visit underscores the growing trade relationship between both countries and the role of Brazil as a key supplier of agricultural goods.
Gulfood 2025 and Strategic Trade Discussions
The delegation is participating in Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, one of the world’s largest food and beverage trade exhibitions. During the event, Brazilian officials will:
- Showcase key agricultural exports, including meat, sugar, ethanol, coffee, and forest products.
- Highlight emerging opportunities, such as tropical fruit exports, which are gaining traction in the UAE.
- Engage with Emirati authorities and agribusiness stakeholders to explore investment and trade expansion opportunities.
“Brazilian agribusiness is built on hard work and innovation, and our goal is to reinforce our role as a strategic partner for the UAE,” said Luís Renato de Alcântara Rua, Secretary of Commerce and International Relations. “With exports to the UAE increasing significantly, we see enormous potential to expand this relationship.”
Food Security and Sustainability as Key Priorities
Brazil’s agricultural exports play a critical role in UAE food security, particularly in meat, sugar, and ethanol, where Brazil supplies a substantial share of the market.
- Brazilian meat exports to the UAE reached $1.59 billion in 2024.
- Sugar and ethanol exports totaled $1.14 billion in the same period.
As the UAE continues to prioritize food security, Brazil is positioning itself as a reliable partner in ensuring a stable and high-quality food supply.
Sustainability is also a key focus, with Brazil preparing to host COP30 in Belém later this year. The country aims to build on discussions from COP28 in Dubai and share best practices in sustainable agriculture that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact.
Regulatory Cooperation and Long-Term Trade Partnerships
Beyond trade expansion, the Brazilian delegation is engaging with Emirati officials to streamline sanitary and phytosanitary regulations. These discussions aim to:
- Facilitate easier export approvals for Brazilian agricultural products.
- Ensure compliance with UAE’s food safety and quality standards.
- Support long-term trade stability between the two nations.
“The UAE’s interest in Brazil is growing steadily, reflecting our credibility as a supplier,” Rua added. “More than just selling products, we want to build lasting relationships based on trust, innovation, and a commitment to secure and sustainable supply.”
