Belgians scout Brazilian market for access for pears

The Voedselagenschap (Food Agency) is supporting Belgian companies looking for alternative export markets. This is mainly due to the Russian embargo.

In mid June the Voedselagentschap paid a working visit to Brazil. The main goal was to facilitate the short term export of pears, whilst other export cases were discusses dairy, gelatine, horses). The visitors were put on the right track by the Belgian embassy in Brasilia, which also promotes a close monitoring of the files on site.

In April the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Pieter De Crem, already announced the importance of the Belgian pear export in Brasilia to Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Katia Abreu. Ms Abreu emphasised that her administration will treat the file with priority during a visit to her Belgian counterpart in Brussels, Minister of Agriculture Willy Borsus. The contact between the Brazilian ministry of agriculture (MAPA) and the Voedselagentschap showed that this message has been received. Although the evaluation of such files, including the measures to avoid the import of certain plant diseases, can take up to three years, it seems likely there will be pears on the Brazilian market by the end of this year. The sector of the Belgian auctions was also in Brazil to scout the market and make contacts, so as to be ready when Brazil opens its gates to Belgian pears.

The Voedselagentschap has cited the ties to its Brazilian colleagues and this will result in an even closer collaboration between both authorities. An exchange of knowledge, experience and 'best practices' between the Voedselagentschap inspection services in the port of Antwerp and those of MAPA in the port of Santos (the largest port in Latin America) is one of those possibilities. The fact that Antwerp is the gateway port to Europe has special trump cards, partially due to the flexibility and professionalism that the border inspection post of the Voedselagentschap.

Source: FAVV