Brazil enhances ties with Japan and pursues market expansion for meat and other agricultural products

From February 10 to 12, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (Mapa) conducted an official mission to Japan, marking significant progress for Brazilian agribusiness. Led by Marcel Moreira, Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of Trade and International Relations (SCRI), the delegation worked to strengthen trade ties and advance bilateral negotiations. 

During the visit, Moreira, joined by Marco Pavarino, Brazil’s Agricultural Attaché in Japan, met with Japanese officials. At Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), they discussed key issues, such as relaxing age restrictions for cattle slaughter and approving more Brazilian poultry plants for exporting heat-treated poultry meat.  

Another key meeting took place with technical teams from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The Brazilian delegation addressed market access for Brazilian beef, the expansion of pork exports, and other topics, such as adjusting hydrothermal treatment rules for Brazilian mango exports and measures to regionalize control of Avian Influenza. 

A key moment was a meeting with Mr. Taku Eto, Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Mr. Arata Takebe, a Japanese parliamentarian. Octavio Cortes, Brazil’s Ambassador to Japan, and representatives from the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec) also attended. Moreira highlighted Brazil’s commitment to safety, quality, and sustainable farming, noting the 130-year Brazil-Japan trade and diplomatic partnership set to be celebrated in 2025. Both sides signaled enthusiasm for progress, targeting concrete results during President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to Japan in late March. 

To better understand Japan’s trade landscape, the delegation visited major meat importers and supermarket chains, fostering private-sector ties. 

The mission also advanced technical cooperation. Talks focused on joint efforts under Brazil’s National Project for the Recovery of Degraded Pastures (PNCPD), reinforcing shared goals for sustainability and best agricultural practices. 

Japan: a strategic market for Brazilian agribusiness 

Japan is a cornerstone of Brazil’s agricultural trade. In 2023, it imported over US$3.31 billion in Brazilian products, making it a top export destination. Poultry, pork, coffee, and soybeans lead demand in Japan’s quality-focused market, which values food safety. 

Current negotiations aim to boost these exports while introducing more Brazilian goods to Japanese consumers, diversifying trade. 

This mission underscores Mapa’s commitment to accessing new markets and enhancing Brazil’s agricultural exports. With a strategic, science-based approach, Brazil continues to establish itself as a global leader in food production, blending quality, safety, and sustainability to meet international standards.


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