NEW DELHI, Apr 5
India, alongside 11 other nations, participated in the second edition of the Brazil SuperFoods Summit held on April 2-3, 2024. Organized by the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and the Brazilian Institute of Beans and Pulses (IBRAFE), the summit convened representatives from around the world to delve into the sustainable present and future of superfoods.
At the annual summit Ambassador Suresh Reddy talked about the potential for increasing their exports to US$1 billion to India. He highlighted that the consumption of protein is rapidly increasing, and it is globally the largest market.
With a focus on beans, pulses, and sesame, this international event aimed to foster dialogue on leveraging Brazil’s potential to export these commodities. During the summit, ApexBrasil and IBRAFE inked a landmark agreement to propel the internationalization of Brazil’s pulse sector, signalling a new era of collaboration and investment totalling R$3.5 million. This partnership seeks to amplify the export market for Brazilian pulses and special crops, from traditional beans to innovative sesame, with a strategic emphasis on expanding into Asian markets.
With Brazil emerging as a key player in the global pulse and special crops market, initiatives like these not only boost international trade but also contribute to domestic economic growth and food security.
The partnership’s initiatives include fairs, missions, and events targeted primarily at Asian markets, acknowledging their significant role as major consumers of these products. Additionally, the agreement encompasses projects aimed at supporting new exporters, empowering women-led enterprises, and assisting producers in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil.
Jorge Viana, the president of ApexBrasil, emphasized the significance of this sectoral project, highlighting Brazil’s unique position as the only country with three bean harvests annually.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Brazil ranked as the world’s second-largest producer of dried beans in 2022, trailing only behind India. Viana underscored that international sales not only generate income and employment but also stimulate planting, ensuring stable prices for domestic consumption. In recent years, Brazil has witnessed a surge in demand for sesame, both domestically and internationally, establishing itself as a significant producer and exporter to countries like the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
IBRAFE reports that black beans are the focal point of exports in the first half of 2024. These beans, essential to the Brazilian diet, provide a rich source of protein, fiber, and essential minerals.
The promising productivity of planting areas suggests a surplus of more than 100 thousand tons, crucial for maintaining price stability and ensuring domestic supply.
Marcelo Eduardo Lüders, the president of IBRAFE, stated that exporting surpluses not only stabilizes prices but also stimulates production, thereby contributing to sectoral development and income diversification.
