Mission brought together 20 companies and expanded connections with Brazil’s innovation ecosystem
By Pedro Augusto, with collaboration from Verbo Comunicação
The business mission organized by the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo brought to Brazil a delegation of 20 Canadian agricultural technology (AgTech) companies to explore the agricultural innovation ecosystem in the State of São Paulo and promote partnerships between Brazilian and Canadian firms. As part of the agenda—which included meetings in São Paulo, Campinas, and Piracicaba—the delegation recently visited Ribeirão Preto to take part in the International Day at Supera Park. The program featured an afternoon of presentations and meetings, followed by a networking happy hour with business leaders and representatives from the regional agribusiness and legal sectors.
The activities were organized in partnership between the Government of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) in Brazil and Supera Park, with support from the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada through its Ribeirão Preto Chapter, the Québec Government Office in São Paulo, and Export Development Canada (EDC).
“This was a very positive mission that fostered a meaningful connection between Brazilian and Canadian business leaders,” said Hilton Nascimento, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada. “I am confident that this networking will yield strong results for the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” he added.
During International Day, public and private sector representatives discussed technological innovation in agriculture, the business environment, and the impacts of tax reform. The roundtable included Eduardo Cicconi, manager of Supera Park; Márcio Francesquini, Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada; Rodrigo Forcenette, managing partner at Brasil Salomão e Matthes Advocacia; and Marcos Avelar, Director of Innovation for Agriculture (DIAGRO) at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Technological cooperation and partnership opportunities
According to Márcio Francesquini, Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo and responsible for agribusiness development, the mission reinforces the strategic convergence between the two countries. “Brazil and Canada are agricultural powerhouses with many similarities. Brazil has been rapidly advancing in the adoption of new technologies in the field, creating a highly favorable environment for cooperation,” he stated.
He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond trade promotion. “The goal is not simply to sell technology. What we aim for is to build long-term technical and commercial partnerships by connecting companies operating at similar technological levels and capable of jointly developing solutions,” he added.
Francesquini explained that the mission was structured to foster practical exchange, identify opportunities for technological adaptation, and promote strategic alliances between Brazilian and Canadian companies.
Regional ecosystem and business environment
The visit to Ribeirão Preto highlighted the role of São Paulo’s interior as a strategic hub for agribusiness and innovation.
Renato Zucoloto, executive manager of Supera Park, noted that the visit is part of a broader effort to strengthen the regional ecosystem. “Hosting this delegation underscores Ribeirão Preto’s role as a favorable environment for developing agribusiness solutions and for international cooperation,” he said.
For Evandro Grili, partner and executive director at Brasil Salomão e Matthes Advocacia, the mission enhances the visibility of the region’s business environment. “The business leaders here today have the opportunity to better understand Brazil’s business landscape and the structure that São Paulo’s interior offers for innovation in the agro-industrial sector. The connection between companies, universities, and research centers is a significant competitive advantage,” he stated.
Tax reform and legal certainty
The discussions also addressed the impacts of tax reform and the regulatory challenges faced by foreign investors.
Rodrigo Forcenette, managing partner at Brasil Salomão e Matthes Advocacia and representative of the Ribeirão Preto Chapter of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada, highlighted the complexity of Brazil’s regulatory system.
“Brazil has a complex regulatory framework, and therefore its legislation requires special attention. For foreign investors, understanding the tax specificities applicable to each sector of the economy is essential,” he explained.
According to the attorney, defining the appropriate legal structure can be decisive for the success of operations. “A key consideration for those looking to invest in Brazil is choosing the most suitable model and structure to scale business development,” he said.
Adding to the analysis, Gabriel Prata, partner at Brasil Salomão e Matthes Advocacia and coordinator of the Agribusiness Committee of the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada, emphasized the importance of specialized legal advisory in international operations.
“Activities such as exports, imports, company formation in Brazil or abroad, and joint ventures require technical analysis of contractual, corporate, tax, and regulatory aspects. Legal certainty is essential for international partnerships to advance in a sustainable manner,” he stated.
Complementary ecosystems
Canada is recognized as one of the world’s leading hubs for agricultural technology, with strong integration among universities, research centers, startups, and public investment. Key strengths include precision agriculture, artificial intelligence applied to farming, sensors, IoT, robotics, biotechnology, and low-carbon technologies.
The mission to Brazil seeks to connect this ecosystem with the Brazilian market, which is considered strategic due to its production scale, climate diversity, and dynamic agribusiness sector. The visit to Ribeirão Preto was part of this broader bilateral engagement, fostering institutional, business, and technical connections with strong potential for long-term cooperation between Canada and Brazil.
