The possible imposition of tariffs by the United States on Brazilian agricultural products is keeping the South American country's exporters on edge, especially those that depend heavily on the North American market, such as mango and grape producers in the São Francisco Valley. The measure, which tentatively would be implemented on August 1, has generated uncertainty and concern in both the private and government sectors.
In recent days, talks between producers, associations, and Brazilian authorities have intensified. Sector representatives have stated that there is still no clarity on how exactly the tariffs will be applied or which products will be directly affected. This lack of certainty complicates trade planning in the middle of the export season.
"There is an abundance of caution at the moment. We are still studying the real impact this could have. We talk to our clients in the United States daily, but we still don't know if final consumer prices will be affected or if buyers will be willing to take on the additional cost," a Brazilian producer and exporter stated.
Concern is not limited to mango. Other Brazilian products, such as orange juices and iron, could also be affected by the tariffs. The news has prompted immediate reactions: Authority visits to the fields, meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture, and hasty calculations by U.S. importers seeking to understand how the trade flow will be reconfigured.
Locally, exporters are considering possible scenarios. One of them is redirecting volumes to alternative markets, such as Europe or Argentina. However, the sheer magnitude of the Brazilian volume (with figures exceeding 2,500 containers of mango alone) makes one wonder if these other markets could absorb the flow without unbalancing supply.
The sector is awaiting official confirmations to make strategic decisions, and industry players continue to adapt in real time. "Everything changes from one day to the next. Yesterday, there was one development; today, we have another. It's difficult to make firm decisions when the landscape is constantly changing," they stressed.
Meanwhile, the countdown to August 1 continues. The sector hopes that, by then, there will be greater clarity about the scope of the tariffs and the measures that will have to be taken to mitigate their impact.