Country’s table grape suppliers stand to benefit from the trade agreement immediatly, but exporters of other fruits must wait ten years
Brazilian table grape exporters see a good opportunity to grow their sales in Europe, after the EU approved a free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries.
The treaty will allow for zero-tariff exports of grapes from the country’s São Francisco Valley as soon as it comes into force. At present, the duty is typically between 8 per cent and 14 per cent.
That reduction is expected to happen once the deal has been ratified by the European Parlimanent, with an official signing scheduled for 17 January.
Exporters of other fruits, including melons and watermelons, will need to wait for a decade before tariffs are eliminated.
“From the moment the import duty is eliminated for Brazilian exporters, we will be in a fairer situation compared to producers in South Africa, Chile, Peru, and the United States, who already do not pay this tax,” said Guilherme Coelho, president of the Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas). “The treaty brings direct benefits to exporters and consumers.
