Mercosur-EU trade agreement expands opportunities for small businesses and logistics

The Mercosur-European Union free trade agreement is driving discussions regarding the integration of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into international commerce. In Brasília, Brazilian authorities and European representatives met to discuss the practical implementation of new trade rules and how smaller businesses can access the European market.

Maria Paula Velloso, Business Director at ApexBrasil, noted that the agreement serves as a concrete opportunity for productive development and internationalization. She highlighted the first shipment of Brazilian grapes under new zero-tariff rules as evidence of these emerging opportunities. ApexBrasil reported that MSMEs constitute 55.8% of the companies it has supported.

In Italy, the agreement is prompting a focus on integrated logistics to manage new trade flows. Enrico Gallozzi, president of GF Logistic (part of Gruppo Gallozzi), participated in an institutional mission in São Paulo to support Italian companies expanding into the South American market. Italy currently ranks as the second-largest EU supplier to Brazil, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 11 billion euros in 2025.