RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Ministry of Agriculture announced yesterday, September 17th, a trade agreement with Saudi Arabia to increase exports of Brazilian agribusiness products. Minister Tereza Cristina met with a representative of the Saudi health authority in Riyadh.
Exports of Brazil nuts, egg derivatives and increased access to Brazilian fruits were authorized. Together, the products represent a potential market of more than US$2 (R$8) billion.
Hisham bin Saad Al Jadhey, CEO of the Saudi health authority, said the country imports 80 percent of the food it consumes, which comes from more than 150 countries.
In this respect, he discussed the significance of the agreement with Brazil in ensuring food security in the country and emphasized the quality of Brazilian products.
Minister Tereza Cristina emphasized Brazil’s role as a potential supplier of other items to Saudi Arabia, such as rice, acaí, and juices.
Among the best-selling products for Saudis are chicken meat (fresh), sugar cane (raw), beef (fresh), soy (bean and bran), corn, refined sugar and coffee (soluble and beans).
In 2018, exports of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia were worth US$1.696 billion. They were more than 2.959 million tons. Chicken represented 47.4 percent of the amount sold in 2018 to Saudi Arabia (US$804 million and 486,000 tons).