International buyers valued the quality of Uruguayan food and the ease of doing business with the country

In a global context in which quality and traceability are rising values, Uruguay has positioned itself as a key player in the export of food and beverages. This potential was evidenced in the recent business round organized by Uruguay XXI and the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU), in which 12 international buyers from Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, El Salvador and Peru met with 75 Uruguayan companies in the sector.

The results of this round were encouraging, with more than 200 meetings and a clear appreciation of Uruguayan products. Buyers appreciated the quality of the offer, as well as the ease of doing business in Uruguay.

Gerardo Usabiaga and Gustavo Barcia, representatives of Su Sazón and Don Asado from Mexico, arrived in Uruguay to strengthen their offer of high quality products. With seven restaurants specializing in Uruguayan food, Barcia is constantly looking for products that maintain the authenticity and flavor that characterizes its culinary proposal, mainly meats, wines, dulce de leche and cheeses.

“Uruguayan products make the difference. Meat coming from other markets is hormone-treated, with much larger cattle and a lot of fat. Uruguay does not use hormones or antibiotics, which gives it a huge plus”, emphasized Barcia and added that ‘Uruguay has a superior product because of its care for the environment, because it is much more natural and people accept it well’.

Usabiaga and Barcia's commitment to Uruguayan products is no coincidence. Both agree that the Mexican market is increasingly oriented towards natural and healthy products, a trend that Uruguay more than satisfies. “Mexicans have started to look for the most natural, the healthiest products, and I definitely see the characteristics of Uruguayan production as an added value,” Usabiaga concluded.

For Paraguayan William Oviedo, of Monalisa Internacional, this was his first visit to Montevideo. “The city exceeded my expectations”, he said.

“We already work with the Bouza winery and the quality is excellent,” he opined and highlighted the constant support they have had from the winery, as well as the new opportunities he found in the round. “We saw good prices, quality and also products that are adapted to the channels we serve, which are retail, wineries, liquor stores and service stations. In addition, in Uruguay there are many facilities for doing business, a lot of willingness to collaborate and also quality products,” he said.

Along the same lines, Antonio Pereira from Casa Flora, Brazil, highlighted the responsibility of his 54-year-old family business in bringing good products to the Brazilian market. “We have been working with Montes Toscanini winery for about 15 years and it is a great partner. We are looking for new products from Uruguay because we know they have a lot of quality,” he commented. He added that the cultural closeness between Brazil and Uruguay facilitates business and highlighted Uruguay's respect, quality and transparency, while celebrating the promising meetings he was able to hold with honey and dulce de leche producers.

For her part, Roberta Ferreira of Cencosud Brazil, with more than five years of experience working with Uruguayan wines, valued the organization and reliability of her Uruguayan suppliers. “Today we are here to look for new food exporters. My perception, and that of the customers we have in our store, is that Uruguayan products are of better quality than those from other Latin American countries,” he said.

Ferreira was pleasantly surprised to find innovative products. “I saw a product that is very different, a breading made with rice and gluten-free. It is a trend and although in Brazil it is not a very expressive sale, there is a need for niche products and for healthy living. It was a good surprise to find these products in Uruguay,” he stressed.

Uruguayan exporters highlighted the value of business rounds for their international expansion

Uruguayan exporters took advantage of the opportunity to consolidate and expand their business in international markets and shared their positive outlook on the event.

Mariana Anfuso, from Bodega Castillo Viejo, expressed how these activities have been key for the expansion of her brand in international markets. “These rounds are very beneficial for us, who are an SME and sometimes do not find it easy to go abroad, as resources are limited,” she said.

He also stressed the importance of the organization and the prior study of the parties before each meeting. “The important thing in these food rounds is that each meeting is consensual, that there is information from both parties, that there is interest in the product. It is an important step that prior to the round the parties are studied and united according to their interests,” he said.

Alejandro Villegas, Export Manager of Los Nietitos, who already has experience in these rounds, also highlighted their relevance in generating new business opportunities. “This is the third year we have participated. We are looking for commercial opportunities outside the country and these events are extremely important because they bring us closer to clients, prospects or business opportunities that can be materialized,” he said.

Villegas explained how these rounds have facilitated the exploration of new markets: “today we had very important contacts with people from Brazil, Paraguay and Peru. We are present in Brazil, which is our first trading partner, and we want to continue exploring opportunities and this type of initiative is great. They are very well organized with an agenda and schedule for each one. We think it is spectacular that they continue, and as an exporter who has made use of this tool, I would like to invite other Uruguayan businessmen to come along”.

Finally, Gabriel Borrea, commercial manager of Deli for Life, highlighted the support received from Uruguay XXI and CIU for the internationalization of his company. “We have participated in several business rounds here in Uruguay and also abroad, in Argentina, Sao Paulo and Mexico. Going beyond borders is a necessity for the company to grow,” he explained.

Borrea also valued the importance of these rounds for small companies: “I think these rounds are very good for small companies like ours or in the case of entrepreneurs or artisans who are just starting out. We have received constant support and experienced accompaniment from Uruguay XXI and the Chamber of Industries, which helps to transcend or cross borders”.