Brazil Boosts Small Business and Cooperative Growth through Major Initiatives

Brazil is witnessing significant efforts to enhance the growth and market presence of small businesses, family agriculture cooperatives, and microentrepreneurs through a series of targeted initiatives and events.

The Brazilian Agency for Export Promotion and Investment (ApexBrasil) recently held its largest-ever Exporta Mais Brasil event in Salvador, where it launched the 'Cooperar para Exportar' program aimed at strengthening Brazilian cooperatives' international presence. The event engaged nearly 200 cooperatives and 30 international buyers from 21 countries, generating an expected US$7.2 million (approximately R$38.9 million) in business, with total projections reaching R$40 million. ApexBrasil intends to support 450 cooperatives by 2026 with training and market access, particularly focusing on family agriculture, with 200 cooperatives slated for the Qualifica Exportação export readiness program. Since 2023, the Exporta Mais Brasil program has connected 1,413 companies—45% of which are led by women—to 441 foreign buyers, facilitating over 8,300 business meetings and expected revenue of R$901.27 million.

In the state of Bahia, cooperatives from family agriculture engaged in a business round with supermarket chains to broaden product commercialization. Organized by the Companhia de Desenvolvimento e Ação Regional (CAR) in partnership with the União Nacional das Cooperativas de Agricultura Familiar e Economia Solidária (Unicafes), and supported by the Associação Baiana de Supermercados (Abase), the event identified 58 family farming products ready for contracts. Participants also conducted tasting sessions to demonstrate product quality. Officials emphasized the initiative’s role in enhancing family agriculture’s visibility and access to major retail networks, offering consumers quality products at affordable prices.

Meanwhile, microentrepreneurs in the municipality of Iomerê benefited from free individual consultations through a partnership between the local government and Sebrae Santa Catarina. Specialists assisted entrepreneurs in business diagnostics, strategic planning, marketing, and digital tools to strengthen their market presence. The municipal administration highlighted the importance of such partnerships for local business development and announced plans for ongoing consultations and training sessions.

These diverse initiatives collectively advance the support infrastructure for small businesses and cooperatives in Brazil, aiming to stimulate regional development, improve competitiveness, and open new markets both domestically and internationally.