DUBAI – As global trade patterns shift and tariff pressures mount, the private sectors of Brazil and the United Arab Emirates are moving to deepen ties in food security and agribusiness. During Gulfood 2026, LIDE Emirates will host a strategic roundtable bringing together business leaders, investors and authorities from multiple countries to explore concrete opportunities in the sector.
The event will put Roberto Perosa, president of ABIEC (Brazilian Association of Beef Exporters), center stage alongside LIDE Emirates members representing diverse sectors and nations. The timing reflects a broader shift in how companies are rethinking supply chains in response to rising trade barriers and tariffs from major trading partners.
For Brazilian agribusiness, the UAE represents more than a market—it’s a gateway to the broader GCC region. For the UAE’s private sector, Brazil offers a reliable source of food production expertise and capacity at a moment when supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority.
“We’re at an inflection point,” said Rodrigo Paiva, president of LIDE Emirates. “Companies are actively seeking partners they can trust. Brazil has the agricultural expertise and production capacity. The UAE has the capital, infrastructure and regional reach. This roundtable is where those strengths connect into real business.”
Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, chairman of LIDE Emirates, noted that food security has moved beyond a commercial issue. “It’s become a strategic imperative,” he said. “The UAE’s private sector sees real value in partnering with Brazil on agribusiness. LIDE is bringing the right people to the table—the ones who can actually make decisions and move fast.”
The roundtable will be the first in what LIDE envisions as an ongoing series of high-level initiatives designed to deepen private sector ties between the two countries. The platform brings together decision-makers from LIDE’s global network, creating space for substantive discussions on investment, joint ventures and supply chain integration.
A Conversation with ABIEC Leadership
On the timing of this initiative:
Roberto Perosa, president of ABIEC, said the moment is right. “The GCC is a priority market for Brazilian agribusiness,” he noted. “What’s changed is that we now have direct access to the decision-makers who control capital and set strategy. LIDE is providing that access. That’s the real value here.”
Julio Ramos, director of ABIEC and former Deputy Secretary for Trade and International Relations at Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the scale and strategic relevance of Brazil’s beef sector.
“Since my time at the Ministry of Agriculture, we have strongly believed in building solid, long-term partnerships with the United Arab Emirates. Brazil is now a global powerhouse in beef production and exports. The sector generates around 7 million jobs, moves close to R$1 trillion in Brazil’s GDP, and accounts for roughly 10% of total agribusiness exports. Brazil is the world’s largest beef exporter and has recently become the largest beef producer globally, surpassing the United States.”
On what ABIEC hopes will emerge:
“We’re not looking for commodity trades,” Perosa said. “We’re interested in partnerships that go deeper—joint ventures, direct investment in facilities, technology collaborations. Those conversations happen at the board level, and that’s who will be in the room at this event.”
Ramos emphasized the strategic role of the UAE and the importance of institutional platforms like LIDE in turning opportunities into concrete outcomes.
“The UAE is a strategic gateway to the Middle East and this new global landscape. LIDE plays a fundamental role by connecting business leaders, investors and decision-makers from Brazil and the Emirates. This kind of articulation transforms potential into real business, generating investment, exports, jobs and income in Brazil. This year, ABIEC will bring 32 Brazilian beef exporters to Gulfood, representing about 98% of Brazil’s beef exports, which shows the strength, organization and global relevance of the sector.”
Event Details
UAE-Brazil: Agribusiness Investment Roundtable
During Gulfood 2026
The Rufescent, Dubai
Strategic Business Breakfast
Patrons: Emirates, Dubai Commercity, Decisive Zone
Partners: Redwood Prime Group, Al Rais Investment, 4 RevOps, Seven Sands Holdings
About LIDE Emirates
LIDE is a network of business leaders focused on strengthening market-driven economic development and ethical corporate governance. LIDE Emirates connects C-level executives across the UAE, creating a platform for strategic partnerships and deal-making.
About ABIEC
The Brazilian Association of Beef Exporters represents Brazil’s beef industry and promotes the international expansion of Brazilian beef companies with a focus on quality, sustainability and competitive advantage in global markets.