BUSINESS TRIP BRAZIL 2026

PRODECA - DARPA is organising a business trip to São Paulo (Brazil), taking place from 23 to 27 November 2026, with the aim of exploring the business opportunities this market offers Catalan agri-food products and positioning Catalan products in added-value channels under the new EU-Mercosur Agreement.

PURPOSE OF THE ACTIVITY

The business trip is organised as a collective market-exploration mission, with the aim of providing first-hand knowledge of the commercial environment in São Paulo, Brazil's main economic and culinary hub, and of validating routes to market for Catalan agri-food products.

The programme will include:

• Group meetings with importers and distributors.
• Visits to points of sale and supermarket store checks.
• Meetings with sector bodies and stakeholders.

Activities will be carried out in a shared format among the participating companies. Individual meeting agendas are not planned.

MARKET CONTEXT

Brazil is one of Latin America's most significant agri-food markets in terms of size, consumption capacity and the sophistication of its distribution channels. With some 213 million inhabitants and a high degree of urbanisation, it offers a substantial urban consumer base, with upper-middle and high-income segments oriented towards imported, healthy and sustainable products with a distinctive culinary identity. Imported products compete there mainly on origin, quality, food safety, experience and differentiation rather than on price.

Catalan agri-food exports to Brazil already exceed 100 million euros a year: it is the 26th destination worldwide and the 13th outside the European Union, with 160 Catalan exporting companies, 53 of them on a regular basis, and more than 23,600 tonnes exported in 2024, with fruit, olive oil, wine and cava and fine food accounting for a significant share.

This context is reinforced by the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement, provisionally applicable since 1 May 2026, which introduces a progressive reduction in tariffs, greater regulatory cooperation and more predictability for European exporters. The 2026-2027 period is therefore particularly strategic for starting to build channels, visibility and commercial relationships before the tariff opening intensifies the European presence in the Brazilian market.

São Paulo, the country's main economic, financial and culinary centre, is home to the players that shape market access premium importers, specialist distributors, gourmet retail, high-end HORECA, opinion leaders and specialist media and acts as a leading trade fair platform (APAS, Anuga Select Brazil, ProWine, Fispal, FiSA), making it the priority gateway to Brazil and the wider regional market.

SECTORS OF INTEREST

The activity is aimed in particular at companies in the following fields:

• Olive oil and derived products.
• Wines and sparkling wines
• Fine food (fish and vegetable preserves, premium snacks, nuts, chocolate, turrón and ready-to-eat dishes).
• Premium meat and charcuterie (NOTE: to export pork charcuterie, the company must be included on the list of authorised establishments).
• Premium beverages (vermouths, liqueurs and spirits).

This list is indicative and not exhaustive.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Participation is open to agri-food companies based in Catalonia or with a production plant in Catalonia, with their own product and an international market focus.

Participating companies are recommended to have:

• export experience or a clear ability to adapt to complex markets;
• sales materials in Portuguese or English;
• up-to-date technical data sheets and product information;
• defined export prices and commercial terms;
• a participant with commercial decision-making authority.

Before the trip, PRODECA will convene a working meeting with the participating companies in order to:

• present how the activity is organised;
• share market information and operator profiles;
• explain how the activities and the planned programme will work.

Participation is subject to approval by PRODECA, taking into account how well the company's profile and products fit the objectives and nature of the activity.

COST AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE

• Participation in the business trip carries a registration fee of €150 for the selected companies (€150 + 21% VAT = €181.50). PRODECA will handle the organisation, coordination of the collective programme and technical support throughout the activity, as well as the final communication event.

The following costs will be borne by the participating companies:

• flights and accommodation for the participating company's staff, as well as allowances and meals;
• local transfers;
• insurance and any other expense arising from participation.

The deadline for submitting applications to participate is 3 October 2026.

Interested companies must complete the registration form available via the link at the foot of this call, together with payment or proof of payment of the registration fee (€150 + 21% VAT = €181.50).

Once the application and payment have been received, PRODECA will contact the company to complete the information needed to organise the activity.