The additional fees applied by the U.S could be an opportunity for Brazil's agribusiness, which is “very competitive,” said Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro on Thursday, before an event on corn ethanol in Mato Grosso.
According to Fávaro, “unfortunately” the actions of the Donald Trump government could disrupt international markets.
“Brazil has the skills. It will certainly know how to take advantage of this and transform it into a great opportunity,” said the minister. The statement was made this Thursday, during a conference on corn ethanol promoted by the consultancy Datagro and the National Union of Corn Ethanol (Unem).
“Brazil is very competitive, especially in agriculture. This may not become a problem if we know how to act. On the contrary, it could become an opportunity for the country,” he said, according to an audio of the interview distributed by the event’s press office.
He also admitted that the increase in the Selic rate challenges the so-called interest rate equalization for the Treasury to subsidize the rates of the next Safra Plan.
As an alternative, he highlighted that the Brazilian government will prioritize medium-sized farmers, along the lines of actions already taken for small producers, in the next Harvest Plan, with the aim of guaranteeing low-cost food production for the population, amid inflationary concerns.
“We will give priority to Pronamp (medium producers), very similar to Pronaf, which is family farming.”
Source: Roberto Samora | Notícias Agrícolas
