To start the interview, could you briefly tell us how your journey as a grape producer in the São Francisco Valley began?
My journey began in 1999, when a small group of us started planting five hectares of grapes on a modest property where we still cultivate today. From the very beginning, our aim was to select varieties that would be welcomed in both the European Union and the United States. Over time, however, we realised that production windows created price differences that did not always cover our costs, particularly for exports to the EU in the first half of the year.
To remain competitive, we adapted our model, analysed the opportunities in international markets, and worked with other producers from Pernambuco to begin exporting collectively. The São Francisco Valley, despite being a semi-arid region, benefits from the presence of the São Francisco River, which flows all year round and makes irrigation possible. This unique feature enables year-round production and allowed us to develop an export model based on the cooperative system.
Over the years, our cooperative grew from 20 to 38 producers and today includes the next generation of our families. Succession is important to us because it ensures that the knowledge and commitment we have built will continue. We see ourselves as guardians of this land and its opportunities, and we want future generations to benefit from it.
How has your role as both a producer and cooperative leader shaped your vision for sustainable agribusiness?
The São Francisco Valley is particularly suited to agriculture, and our cooperative has always focused on precision and highly technological farming practices. We continuously research sustainable agricultural technologies from around the world to improve our production methods.
This includes innovations in irrigation, soil management, and crop protection, all designed to increase productivity while respecting natural resources.
Respect for the environment, protection of workers, and strong social responsibility are fundamental to our approach. We strive not only to comply with legislation but to anticipate it, making sure our practices meet the strictest international standards, including those set by the EU.
I am especially proud of our adherence to certifications such as Global GAP, GRASP for social practices, and SMETA for ethical agricultural production. These seals confirm our commitment to sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound farming.
Our goal is simple: to produce delicious grapes responsibly, while ensuring that our practices are transparent, verifiable, and trusted by our international partners.
We want to be seen not as competitors, but as partners in ensuring food security and resilience
How does the cooperative model help small producers access European and international markets?
The main challenges are logistical rather than agricultural. While our production is strong, we receive, as brazilian producers, less subsidies and have to face tighter financial conditions, let alone other challenges, such as transportation and infrastructure costs.
Logistics are complex and expensive — harvesting, packaging, cooling fruit to the right temperature, and transporting it to ports so that it arrives fresh in Europe all require advanced infrastructure and considerable investment.
For small producers, it would be almost impossible to manage this alone. The cooperative model helps overcome these barriers by pooling resources and expertise. By working together, we achieve the scale required to access international markets, meet quality standards, and negotiate better commercial terms.
The cooperative also provides training, technical support, and shared knowledge, ensuring that even the smallest producers can comply with strict European requirements.
Grape farming in Brazil employs over 120,000 people, with four to five workers per hectare, equally divided between men and women
What challenges do small farmers face when exporting to Europe, and how do you address them?
Logistics remain a constant challenge, but there are also issues of adapting to different consumer preferences and ensuring a continuous supply throughout the year. Here, Brazil has a natural advantage : our climate allows us to produce two harvests per year, compared to just one in most countries.
This means we can supply markets continuously, offering stability to consumers and buyers alike.
This intensive production model has a strong social impact. Grape farming in Brazil employs over 120,000 people, with four to five workers per hectare, equally divided between men and women. Jobs are available year-round, creating stability for families and communities.
For European consumers, this also guarantees reliable traceability and quality. Our cooperative makes sure that fruit reaching the EU meets the highest standards while supporting social development in our region.
How could the EU-Mercosur agreement create new opportunities for cooperatives?
The EU-Mercosur agreement is a significant opportunity for both sides. For Brazil, it showcases our ability to supply agricultural products year-round while respecting European standards.
Europe has increasingly faced climate-related production challenges, and Brazil can help fill these gaps in a sustainable way.
Brazilian producers already comply with EU requirements on sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards, traceability, and sustainability. The agreement would provide a formal framework to make this clearer to European consumers and policymakers, as duties and tariffs limit our supply, while on the other side, we respect local production standards.
For us, it is not just about exporting more volume, but about demonstrating that Brazil can complement European production, not compete against it. By filling seasonal gaps and supplying consistent quality, we can strengthen food security and create benefits on both sides of the Atlantic.
Succession is important to us because it ensures that the knowledge and commitment we have built will continue
What message would you like European policymakers, consumers, and the readers of The Parliament, to take from the work of small Brazilian producers?
I often recall the words of Dr Roberto Rodrigues, former Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, who wrote the book “Agriculture is peace.” Food security is fundamental to stability: when people have food on the table, societies are stronger, and conflicts are fewer.
Brazil plays a vital role in this; if we can offer conditions for people to get food 3 times per day, it is an honour. We are often called the “breadbasket” of the world, and we can export fresh fruit to our European brothers during seasons when local production is not available, ensuring market shelves remain full.
At the same time, 70% of our agricultural production is consumed domestically and only 30% exported, so we are not in competition with European farmers. Instead, we complement their work by filling seasonal gaps.
Our message is simple: small Brazilian producers are committed to sustainable, responsible farming that supports both our communities and European consumers. We want to be seen not as competitors, but as partners in ensuring food security and resilience.
Coopexvale produces and takes grapes to global markets. Find out about its mission, vision and values.
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