Food Export Council organizes trade mission to Brazil

CAIRO – 7 May 2018: The Food Export Council organized an Egyptian trade mission to Brazil from May 6 to 12 within the framework of activating the Mercosur Agreement to maximize trade movement from Egypt to Brazil.

The mission consists of a group of 12 Egyptian companies, with participating sectors ranging from dates, olive oil, pickles, flour, pasta, juices, dairy products and cheese, pretzel snacks, tomato sauce and dipping sauces.

The trade mission to Brazil comes in coordination and cooperation with the Egyptian Commercial Service Office (ECS), the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian Commercial Service office in Sao Paulo.

The mission coincides with the APAS Fair, the biggest supermarket industry fair in Brazil, held in São Paulo from May 7 to 10.

In April 2018, the Export Development Authority organized the first Egyptian trade mission to Brazil from April 2 to 5, coinciding with the Arab-Brazilian Forum that was organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, along with the Union of Arab Chambers.

Egypt’s exports to Brazil increased by 64.7 percent year-on-year in 2017, to stand at $155.4 million, compared to $94.3 million in 2016.

Brazilian Ambassador to Egypt Roy Amarell said earlier that enacting the Mercosur Agreement will enhance trade and investment with Egypt, noting that Egypt is the main importer of Brazilian products in Africa.

The Mercosur Agreement is a free trade agreement signed by Egypt and Mercosur countries in 2010, including immediate customs clearance for 63 percent of the exports of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to Egypt.

There are potential trade opportunities for Egypt and Brazil under the Mercosur Agreement that include the trade of animal feed, wood, paper, iron and steel.

The South American Common Market (Mercosur) is an economic bloc compromised of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

The trade deal, which covers food, cars, auto parts and industrial supplies, was signed by Egypt and Mercosur members in 2010, but it only came into force in 2017.