A delegation from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) is on a visit to the UAE to strengthen trade relations and showcase Brazil’s agribusiness potential. Led by Vice-Minister Irajá Rezende de Lacerda, the delegation seeks to bridge and deepen partnerships between the two nations, particularly in the agricultural and food security sectors.
With the UAE ranking as the sixth-largest importer of Brazilian agricultural products in 2024, this mission underscores the importance of reinforcing Brazil’s role as a reliable partner in food security. The delegation will also participate in Gulfood 2025 in Dubai, meet with Emirati authorities and visit agro-industrial facilities.
Brazil exports to UAE grow 45.52 percent
In statements to WAM, Luís Renato de Alcântara Rua, Secretary of Commerce and International Relations of the Ministry, emphasized that Brazil’s mission to the UAE aims to further strengthen partnerships between the two nations.
“Brazilian agribusiness is built on hard work and innovation, and our goal is to reinforce our role as a strategic partner for the UAE. With exports to the UAE increasing by 45.52 percent from 2023 to 2024, we see enormous potential to expand this relationship,” he said.
Major Brazilian exports include meat, sugar and ethanol, forest products, coffee and tobacco. The mission also aims to explore emerging opportunities, particularly in tropical fruit exports, which are gaining traction in the UAE market.
UAE-Brazil trade ties grow to $4.3 billion in 2023
Food security remains a priority for the UAE, making Brazil an essential partner in ensuring a stable and high-quality food supply. “The UAE already trusts Brazil as a key supplier, with Brazilian meat exports reaching $1.59 billion and sugar and ethanol exports totaling $1.14 billion,” Rua highlighted.
At Gulfood 2025, Brazil is showcasing its agribusiness strength, from traditional exports like beef and poultry to organic and specialty products such as açaí, mango and Brazil nuts.
Notably, trade relations between the UAE and Brazil have seen consistent growth in recent years. Non-oil bilateral trade reached $2.64 billion in the first half of 2024, marking an 18.2 percent increase over the same period in 2023 and a 53.9 percent growth compared to 2019.
Bilateral ties between the two nations remain robust, with the value of non-oil trade reaching $4.3 billion in 2023, up 42.1 percent compared to 2021. Brazil is also the largest recipient of the UAE’s exports in South America and, behind the United States, the second-largest trade partner in the Americas. In terms of investment, the UAE has already committed to the Brazilian economy in excess of $5 billion.
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Brazil gears up to host COP30
Sustainability is another focus, with Brazil preparing to host COP30 in Belém later this year. Rua said the country is looking to build on discussions initiated at COP28 in Dubai and to share best practices that boost productivity while reducing environmental impact.
Beyond trade, the delegation is also discussing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations to ease exports. “The UAE’s interest in Brazil is growing steadily, reflecting our credibility. They know they can count on us—that Brazil is a reliable supplier, ready to grow alongside them. More than just selling products, we want to build lasting relationships based on trust, innovation, and a commitment to secure and sustainable supply,” Rua stated.
