COUNTRY PROFILE
Discover more about the Brazil market including overviews about the retail, foodservice, and food-processing sectors. Events, resources, and more are linked throughout the profile.
$338.6 million
total U.S. exports of processed foods to Brazil in 2024
3rd
largest market in South America for the export of U.S. processed foods
220 million
total population in 2024
USDA’s Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Sao Paulo, hereinafter referred to as “FAS Post Sao Paulo,” reported that in 2023, imports of consumer-oriented products by Brazil reached US$5.8 billion, a 14% increase compared to the previous year. The U.S. was the fifth largest supplier, with a 5.1% market share.
Brazil is the third largest market in South America for the export of U.S. processed foods. In 2024, U.S. exports of processed foods rose 18% to US$338.6 million.
Top U.S. processed food exports to Brazil in 2024 included:
$139.6 Billion
estimated total retail sales in the packaged food market in 2024
$199 Billion
expected value of retailed packaged food market by 2029
9%
of national GDP from the retail sector in 2023
According to Euromonitor, retail sales in the packaged food market in Brazil are estimated to reach US$139.4 billion in 2024. That makes it the largest market in Latin America and the fifth largest in the world. By the year 2029, retail sales in the packaged food market in Brazil are expected to reach US$199 billion, a growth rate of 36.8%.
FAS Post Sao Paulo reports that the Brazilian retail sector is the most critical channel in the food distribution system. The industry is well-integrated, dynamic, and sophisticated. According to the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS), the retail sector accounted for approximately US$183 billion in 2023, representing 9% of the country’s GDP. mes. Oftentimes exporters are cautious to do business with a single supermarket chain as their perception of reaching consumers through a single source does not seem attractive. They advise that this perception does not always correspond to reality. It is a matter of strategy, as retailers may achieve significant market penetration.
FAS Post Sao Paulo reports that the food categories that are most frequently exported to Brazil from the U.S. are dairy products, processed vegetables, wine and related products, fresh fruit and vegetables, soup and other food preparations, beef and beef products, chocolate and cocoa products, sausage casings, and processed fruit.
$96 Billion
in revenue from Brazil’s foodservice industry in 2023
$6.3 Billion
total value of Brazil’s food delivery market in 2023
10-12%
market share of the 10 largest restaurant retail chains
FAS Post Sao Paulo reports that in 2023, Brazilian hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) foodservice industry revenues reached US$96 billion, an increase of 12% compared to 2022. Brazilian imports of consumer-oriented products grew 14% in 2023 to US$5.8 billion.
Brazil is among the five largest foodservice markets in the world, characterized by high fragmentation, with many small- and medium-sized businesses. Currently, the 10 largest restaurant chains represent only 10% to 12% of the Brazilian market, while in developed countries, such as the U.S., this number reaches 30%. Small to medium independent operators dominate the Brazilian market with 97.5% of outlets while foodservice chains comprise 2.5%.
FAS Post Sao Paulo reports that products with high potential in the Brazilian HRI market include foodservice unit packages. One-year shelf life or more is desired, especially those produced by companies that own well-known brands. Products that optimize kitchen processes, such as dehydrated, lyophilized, pre-cooked and prepared mixes, are also in high demand.
$231 Billion
in revenue from Brazil’s food-processing sector in 2023
10.8%
of national GDP from food-processing
38,000+
food-processing companies
Brazil heavily relies on foreign suppliers to fulfill its food ingredient demands, which offers U.S. companies opportunities to provide high-value ingredients. According to the Brazilian Food Processors Association (ABIA), the country’s food-processing sector registered revenues of US$231 billion in 2023. The result represents 10.8% of national GDP. The sector is comprised of over 38,000 companies, of which the vast majority are small- and medium-sized enterprises.
FAS Post Sao Paulo reports that U.S. products in the market with good potential include animal feed preparations (non-pet), food preparations, enzymes and prepared enzymes, other edible mixtures preparations of fats, oils, milk albumin, including concentrates of two or more whey proteins, peptones and derivatives, mucilages, thickeners, vegetable saps, and products consisting of natural milk constituents.
Products with good sales potential include wheat flour, malt, dairy ingredients, beans, flour, pea protein and fibers as plant-based ingredients, vegetable oils, and ingredients for healthy products.
