Category: Geopolitics

Information about international affairs that can impact the Brazilian economy.

Private firms pledge to pay soy farmers more than $14mn not to deforest Brazil’s Cerrado

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The Funding for Soy Farmers in the Cerrado Initiative (FSFCI) launched by Nutreco, Grieg Seafood and Tesco in December has already secured more than $14 million to provide savanna soy producers with financial incentives to ensure that future soy cultivation expansion in the Cerrado biome only is carried out on existing agricultural lands. The exact mechanism by which these funds will be disbursed has not yet been developed.

Carrefour buys 30 stores & 14 gas stations from rival Makro for $454mn

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The Brazilian unit of France’s Carrefour SA has agreed to buy 30 stores and 14 gas stations in 17 states from rival retailer Makro’s Brazilian subsidiary for 1.95 billion reais ($453.69 million), the French retailer said in a securities filing on Sunday. The stores will be integrated into the cash & carry Atacadão chain. Makro will continue to operate in Brazil but with only 24 stores in the country’s richest state, Sao Paulo.

Lawmakers urge Congress to shelve indigenous mining bill

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Opposition lawmakers called on Brazil’s Congress to reject a proposal by President Jair Bolsonaro to open indigenous reservations to commercial mining, saying it will endanger 200 tribes protected over decades by indigenous rights. Brazil has the largest number of isolated and uncontacted indigenous groups, 114 of the 185 known to exist in South America, said expert Antenor Vaz, who warned of the risk of ethnocide.

Fiat Chrysler Latam expects 6% auto sales growth in Brazil

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Fiat Chrysler Latin America CEO, Antonio Filosa, expects auto sales in the region to grow 1.5% this year, to 4.2 million units, as Brazil’s economic recovery offsets economic crises in other markets such as Argentina. He predicts a 6% rise in Brazil, with Fiat sales increasing by 7% to 9%. The automaker will increase its powertrain production this year and begin sales of a 100% electric vehicle in Brazil.

Brazil and Paraguay sign free trade agreement for vehicle sector

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Brazil and Paraguay signed on Tuesday an agreement to boost autos and auto parts trade between the two countries. Under the agreement, Brazil will grant free trade treatment to Paraguayan automotive products immediately and Paraguay will allow Brazilian products to enter the country with lower taxes, which are of up to 2% and will gradually decrease until free trade conditions are met by 2022.

Bolsonaro proposes Fernández breaking the ice in Montevideo

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The presidents of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro and Argentina, Alberto Fernández, could meet on March 1 in Montevideo, in a sign of truce after months of tension between the two heads of State. Bolsonaro made the proposal of the meeting on the occasion of the inauguration of the Uruguayan president, Luis Lacalle Pou, upon hosting on Wednesday the Argentine Foreign Minister Felipe Solá in Brasilia.

Brazil and Argentina discuss bilateral trade and diplomatic wounds

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday hosts Argentina’s Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Solá, who will also meet his counterpart Ernesto Araújo. They will discuss bilateral trade, the Mercosur customs union and Venezuela, according to official sources. Relations between the two key trade partners worsened late last year as Bolsonaro’s far-right administration clashed with Alberto Fernandez’s left-leaning government.

USA removes Brazil from the list of developing countries

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The U.S. Department of Commerce reported its decision to remove Brazil from the list of developing countries, which may restrict trade benefits granted to nations in this category. Some practical consequences for Brazil may include the end of the unilateral exemption of export tariffs by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the right to partial trade agreements with other developing countries, and part of the loans from the World Bank.

Brazil’s Amazon deforestation doubled in January

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Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest doubled in January compared with a year ago, reaching a five-year record for the month, according to the national space research agency Inpe. More than 280 sq km were cleared in January, an increase of 108%, and a record for the month since data started being collected in 2016. Deforestation in the Amazon soared last year.