São Paulo – At least two Brazilian companies from a group that visited Saudi Arabia last week have already started negotiating exports with local retailers. According to Fernanda Baltazar, Director of Institutional Relations at the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), the business rounds and technical visits held in Riyadh and Jeddah opened doors for the six Brazilian companies that participated.
The companies traveled to Saudi Arabia from May 11 to 16 for a series of meetings at the Brazilian Embassy in Riyadh, the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon).
They also attended the Saudi Food Show and visited the port of Jeddah, participating in technical visits and business meetings with retail chains and supermarkets such as Lulu, Al Jameel Foods, Manuel Supermarket, Panda Hypermarket, Othaim Markets, and food trading company Edafat.
The mission was organized by the Halal do Brasil project, a partnership spearheaded by the ABCC and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) to promote Brazilian halal products abroad. Halal products are those made according to Islamic law. The mission included trading companies Suplicy Consulting, Basden, and Masterint, the açaí sorbet manufacturer Yalla Brasil, the non-alcoholic fruit syrup producer Stock, and frozen bread maker Pão & Arte, which participated only in Riyadh. Masterint and Stock also took part in the Brazilian booth at the Saudi Food Show.
Saudi Arabia market opening to Brazil
The appeal of Brazilian products in Saudi Arabia, Baltazar said, is linked to the local market’s openness to imports. “Saudi Arabia is looking ahead to international events it will host, such as the 2034 World Cup, with the intention of expanding its markets,” she said. Local retailers have dedicated sections for imported goods. In at least two retail chains, Othaim and Lulu, the Brazilian mission met with executives who have purchasing decision power.
The Brazilian delegation participated in a seminar both at the Brazilian Embassy in Riyadh and at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The latter also hosted a business roundtable.
“The mission is part of the Halal do Brazil project, and the ABCC has played a key role in raising awareness in the Saudi market about Brazilian products. We also took the companies to another city, Jeddah, in addition to Riyadh, to learn more about the country and even have a cultural immersion. The idea now is to follow up on the outcomes of the meetings, to find out if there are any barriers to closing deals. This mission doesn’t end here by itself. This was just one stage,” Baltazar said.
Besides Baltazar, the trip included Rafael Solimeo, head of the ABCC office in Dubai, and Ahmed Kamal, international business executive.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
