Minister Carlos Fávaro Highlights Strength of Brazil–Portugal Partnership at FNA 2025

As part of his official mission to Portugal, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, took part on Sunday (June 8) in the opening of the Brazilian pavilion at the 2025 National Agriculture Fair (FNA 2025) in Santarém. This marks the first time Brazil has participated in the event with its own national pavilion, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). 

During the event, Minister Fávaro underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral ties with Portugal. “President Lula has tasked us with renewing not only our deep friendship but also our commercial partnerships. Brazil’s presence at such a significant fair is a vital step in that direction,” he stated. 

Fávaro also emphasized Brazil’s recent trade liberalization measures, including the elimination of import tariffs on olive oil, sardines, and biscuits. “At a time when protectionism fuels poverty, unemployment, and stagnation, Brazil is demonstrating that multilateralism is the best path forward,” he said. 

Brazil is currently the world’s second-largest importer of olive oil, with average annual imports of 100 million liters—about 60% of which originates from Portugal. 

According to Hugo Caruso, Director of the Department of Inspection for Plant-Origin Products at MAPA, the trade relationship between Brazil and Portugal is a model of mutual trust and shared quality standards. “We are committed to food safety and to addressing unfair competition, which still affects the market with lower-quality products. Our partnership with the Portuguese sector is crucial—not only for protecting consumers, but also for enabling technical cooperation that can strengthen Brazil’s growing olive oil industry,” Caruso explained. 

Portugal’s Minister of Agriculture, José Manuel Fernandes, also highlighted the significance of the bilateral relationship. “We share a special bond with Brazil. Stability and predictability are essential to ensuring access to high-quality, affordable food. By working together, we can face global challenges with solidarity and deliver real progress for both nations,” he affirmed. 

Mercosur–European Union Agreement 

Minister Fávaro reaffirmed Brazil’s support for advancing the Mercosur–European Union trade agreement, describing it as a strategic opportunity for both regions. He stressed that Portugal could be one of the primary European beneficiaries of the accord. “We are counting on Portugal’s support to move this agreement forward. It offers concrete opportunities for our producers and consumers by promoting competitiveness, stability, and sustainable development,” he said. 

Trade Relations 

Despite their strong historical and cultural ties, agricultural trade between Brazil and Portugal remains below its full potential. The current bilateral trade volume is approximately USD 1.1 billion, with flows concentrated in a limited number of products. 

Luís Rua, Secretary for Trade and International Relations at MAPA, called for greater diversification in the trade agenda and noted the importance of the partnership. “Portugal is a strategic partner for Brazil, and our presence at FNA—alongside Brazilian producers and products—is a key step toward deepening that relationship,” Rua said. 

In addition to trade, technical and scientific cooperation between the two countries is also expanding. Key initiatives include partnerships in Lusitano horse breeding, the development of bioinputs, the implementation of electronic certification for agricultural products, and discussions on sanitary issues such as disease regionalization and pre-listing of exporting establishments. 

FNA 2025 

FNA 2025 centers on the theme of “biosolutions,” spotlighting sustainable technologies that boost agricultural productivity while reducing environmental impact. 

Brazil continues to emerge as a global leader in the use of bioinputs, fostering a more efficient and environmentally sustainable agriculture. The country’s participation in FNA 2025 reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and deeper integration with global markets. 

The fair runs until June 15 and brings together producers, entrepreneurs, and experts to promote innovation, knowledge exchange, and new business opportunities. 


Press information
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