Nigeria, Brazil Advance Agro-Trade Pact as Shettima Announces Market Access Breakthrough

Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria and Brazil have moved from negotiations to the implementation phase of their bilateral agro-trade partnership, announcing key market access milestones expected to boost agricultural exports and deepen economic cooperation between both countries.

Shettima made the declaration on Monday during a high-level Nigeria–Brazil Agro-Trade Market Access Milestone meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he received a Brazilian delegation led by the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho.

The Vice President, who co-chairs the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM) with Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, said the partnership had progressed from diplomatic engagements to concrete outcomes that would allow private sector operators in both countries to begin trading in agreed agricultural commodities.

“We have moved with deliberate steps from dialogue to delivery, from agreements to implementation, and from shared ambition to outcomes that can be counted, weighed and shipped,” Shettima said.

He attributed the progress to months of collaboration between government ministries, regulatory agencies, technical experts and private sector stakeholders in both countries.

According to the Vice President, the Joint Agriculture and Livestock Technical Working Group established under the Nigeria–Brazil Agriculture and Livestock Cooperation Framework is now operational, with specialised sub-groups focusing on dairy and livestock genetics, soybean productivity, agricultural policy and agro-climatic risk zoning.

Shettima recalled that President Bola Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had agreed during Tinubu’s state visit to Brazil that agricultural trade between both countries remained below its potential, prompting directives to strengthen trade, investment and technical cooperation.

He also commended Brazil for strengthening institutional ties with Nigeria through the appointment of an Agricultural Attaché and increased collaboration with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), describing the moves as critical to translating bilateral agreements into practical programmes.

The Vice President urged stakeholders to ensure Nigerian farmers, cooperatives, processors and exporters meet international standards to maximise the opportunities created by the expanded market access.

Speaking at the meeting, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André Carlos Alves de Paula Filho, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding market access for Nigerian agricultural products.

He disclosed that Brazil had agreed to open its market to Nigerian exports of hibiscus, sesame and shea butter, adding that technical officials were finalising the phytosanitary certification process required to facilitate the exports.

According to him, Brazilian authorities will also help connect Nigerian exporters with prospective buyers to create commercial opportunities once the certification process is completed.

Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi welcomed the partnership, noting that the state accounts for about 75 per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil exports and pledged the state’s support for the successful implementation of the initiative.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the agreement between Presidents Tinubu and Lula was already strengthening trade relations, describing Brazil as a global model in agricultural transformation and expressing confidence that the renewed partnership would accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural exports.