Pretoria - The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) is today participating in an Outward Selling Mission in Brazil which is aimed at increasing the export of South African agro-processing products.
The department is leading a delegation of business people on the mission -- which also seeks to promote the country as a trade and investment destination -- that begins on Monday in Sao Paulo.
The mission is targeted at the agro-processing sector particularly fruit juice, wine and rooibos.
“The reason to specifically focus on this sector is based on interest that developed during the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) events that were held in Brazil in March and October 2012,” said Minister Rob Davies.
Davies said the agro-processing sector is one of the sectors which show potential for future expansion in the Brazilian market, based on competitive offerings in a number of select products.
“As much as Brazil and South Africa are direct competitors on some products in agro-processing, there are opportunities for specific South African products which have a competitive advantage over domestic Brazilian brands. The medium to high-end market of South African wines in Brazil is growing and this is in light of the quality advantage over the Brazilian products, which justifies a higher price,” said the minister.
Last year, Brazil was ranked 27th as an export partner and 15th as an import partner of South Africa globally.
Total bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to R20.2 billion in 2012, which was 2.7% higher than in 2011.
The mission concludes on Friday. - SAnews.gov.za
