Market expansion and precaution against animal health emergencies were discussed by authorities and industry leaders on Thursday morning, August 8, in São Paulo, Brazil.

Brazil’s ability to expand its brand as an agricultural powerhouse and influence the global economy was the focus of a debate held this morning at SIAVS, the International Animal Protein Exhibition. On the final day of the event, which has taken place in São Paulo since Tuesday, authorities and industry leaders gathered to discuss the importance of maintaining and strengthening the country’s image to gain access to new markets.

According to Júlio Ramos, Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of Trade and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the credibility Brazil has achieved on the global stage is the result of long term and continuous work carried out jointly by public and private stakeholders and by organizations such as the Brazilian Animal Protein Association, ABPA, which organizes the event, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, ApexBrasil, and the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, ABIEC, also represented on the panel.

“We have reached a level of maturity that allows us to work together today with a single goal, which is to strengthen the presence of Brazilian products around the world,” he said. In the deputy secretary’s assessment, the government has acted to listen to the sector and facilitate the relationship between the market and major global players, while also working to increase the purchasing power of the population. According to him, reducing inequality in the country is one of the key factors to further strengthen Brazilian agribusiness through job and income generation, workforce development and access to training.

Luis Rua, ABPA Market Director, highlighted that Brazil has also invested in diversification to reduce risks and expand its image abroad as a supplier of quality, sustainability and biosecurity. “We have worked closely with producers and government agencies to take Brazilian animal protein to as many countries as possible,” he said. According to Rua, the outlook is for Brazil to expand its share of the international market in the coming years across all segments, including poultry, pork and eggs.

Efficiency in sanitary control

During the panel on Animal Health Emergencies, Marcelo de Andrade Mota, Director of the Animal Health Department of the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, presented an account of the actions taken by public authorities in the recent case of Newcastle disease identified in Anta Gorda, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. He emphasized the coordination with the private sector and local authorities to rapidly eliminate the disease outbreak.

According to the director, Brazil is now an example of efficiency in sanitary control thanks to the integration of the production chain and sector wide efforts focused on responsibility and technical support. However, he warned that constant vigilance is required. “We must always be prepared,” he said. “It is essential that producers maintain their biosecurity conditions and that official services are ready to act swiftly in the event of any sanitary risk.”

ABPA President Ricardo Santin congratulated the government and official services for their swift response in combating the outbreak and emphasized the importance of communication and transparency throughout the process. “This is a very clear signal to the world that we will not give up our responsibility,” he stated. “It was an isolated and very localized case, but it was enough to demonstrate the country’s ability to organize and respond.”

With an average daily attendance of around 10,000 people, SIAVS 2024 featured the participation of more than 150 Brazilian brands from companies and cooperatives producing and exporting poultry, pork, beef, eggs and fish, as well as 300 exhibitors and delegations from around 50 countries, alongside an extensive program of symposiums and panels. For the first time, the event, which is considered one of the largest industry gatherings in the world, also included representatives from the beef and seafood segments.