Cultivating the UK and Latin America’s Food and Drinks Trade

Cultivating the UK and Latin America’s Food and Drinks Trade

in partnership with

For over a century, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has been a leading exporter of agricultural goods. The region houses one third of the world’s fresh water resources and over one quarter of the world’s medium-to-high-potential farmland. Four of the world’s top five banana exporters come from Latin America (Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Colombia). Brazil exports more beef and soybean than any other country worldwide. Mexico is the world’s top producer of avocados and Chile and Peru are the leading grape and berry exporters.

However, some global obstacles stand in the way. The most pressing issue, perhaps, is the aggressive hike in fertiliser prices and supply chain disruption triggered by the war in Ukraine. Climate change is also threatening crop production. Last summer, Argentina has faced its worst drought in 60 years and wildfires have raged farmland and vineyards in Chile.

The UK-Latin American Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) trade is, also, gaining traction. FMCGs are characterised as goods that are sold quickly and at a relatively low cost. In the UK, large and medium-sized enterprises are looking to expand their exports to middle-income countries with growing consumer demands. Home to a growing middle class with disposal income, Latin America and the Caribbean stands out as a promising market for UK FMCGs exports from whisky to health products and over-the-counter medicines.

During this pivotal moment, Canning House and Baker McKenzie will discuss the prospects for boosting trade in food and beverages between the UK and Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing primarily on FMCGs.

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SPEAKERS

Norberto Pontiroli

Technical Team, GPS

Norberto Pontiroli is an international relations specialist. He is a member of the technical team of GPS (Group of Producing Countries from the South), a network of experts and institutions from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay that work to respond to new food demands in a sustainable way, generating wealth, employment and social capital in the region.

Gonzalo Bernal

Partner International Commercial and Trade Team - Baker McKenzie

Gonzalo, a partner at Baker McKenzie Peru, specializes in International Commercial & Trade, focusing on the food & beverage industry and agribusiness. With a master's degree in international trade and economics, he offers extensive expertise in trade operations, investment, Free Trade Agreements, WTO law, customs, and trade remedies. Gonzalo has served as an international consultant for USAID's trade facilitation programs, contributing to export competitiveness.

Carlos Narváez

Director of Agribusiness - IDB Invest

Carlos, Agribusiness Director at IDB Invest since 2016, oversees strategy, client management, and transactions in the agribusiness sector for Latin America and the Caribbean. With prior roles in investment and development banking, including at CAF and BBVA, he brings expertise in closing over 50 transactions spanning corporate finance, project finance, and debt capital markets. Carlos holds a master's degree in finance from IESA and a professional degree in economics from Universidad Central de Venezuela.

Vanúsia Nogueira

Executive Director, International Coffee Organisation

Vanúsia, from a coffee-producing family, began her career at PwC Consulting, where she became a partner and worked for 15 years. Since 2002, she has been dedicated to niche coffee markets. Formerly executive director at the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association, she assumed the role of Executive Director at the International Coffee Organization in May 2022. Vanúsia holds a PhD in Administration/Marketing from Rosario National University, a BS in Systems Engineering and Administration from PUC-RJ, and various MBAs and post-MBA qualifications from Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro.

Maria José Kong

Head of Trade Americas, Scotch Whisky Association

María José is a lawyer and an economist with an MSc in Regulation from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She has ten years’ experience of trade policy work in the Government of Peru, working for the Ministry of Trade and the Trade Remedies Authority. She currently works for the Scotch Whisky Association as Head of Trade for the Americas, assisting the industry with market access opportunities and regulatory compliance.

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