Hansen Embarks on Agri-Food Diplomatic Mission to Brazil

Brussels: EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen will undertake a high-level agri-food diplomatic mission to Brazil from October 20 to 24. Hansen announced the trip, identifying Brazil as a significant agri-food market for the European Union.

According to Ansa News Agency, the visit is unlikely to see the ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, of which Brazil is a part, by the end of October. The European Commission is expected to adopt the legal proposal before the summer break, after which it will be handed over to the Member States and the European Parliament for consideration.

The European Commission has highlighted Brazil’s status as the largest economy in Latin America and the biggest among the four Mercosur countries, boasting 220 million consumers out of the bloc’s total 270 million. Despite this, the potential for Brazil as a key destination for EU agri-food exports remains largely unexplored. Currently, EU agri-food exports to the region account for only about 6% of the EU’s total export value.