Starting this month, Portuguese meat, tinned goods, dairy and vegetable products will be winging their way to new markets in South America.
First up is a new deal with Cuba involving pork meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy products, but secretary of state for foods, Nuno Vieira e Brito, says there are “dozens” more deals in the pipeline, with countries like Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico.
“And beyond Latin America, we are also getting interest from the countries of the Far East,” he told Público , returning from a Berlin trade fair where Portugal took a leading role.
“In Japan, we’re expecting developments with our cherries. In China, there is interest in importing citrus fruits, kiwis and grapes – and in Indonesia there is keen interest in our apples and pears.”
India too may come on board, he said, though Portugal has sent various dossiers and has yet to hear the country’s response.
The good news could hardly have come at a better time. Hundreds of products are blocked from sale to Russia, as a result of the ongoing trade embargo, and Angola – in the grip of a new economic crisis – has also cut back on imports.
Vieira e Brito was gung-ho about Russia, nonetheless, saying that when the embargo was lifted “companies will continue to grow”.
Russia, however, has shown no sign of withdrawing its military threat to Ukraine – the reason for the trade embargo. If anything, the situation is escalating, with America stepping in today (Thursday) with an offer of 16.4 million dollars of aid to help Ukraine repel the relentless Russian intrusion.
By NATASHA DONN natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
