Kuala lumpur: Malaysia welcomes the intention of the Brazilian Cooperation Agency to collaborate with the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) in the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors through technology transfer and expertise training programmes, particularly in relation to the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) stated that the collaboration is part of efforts to strengthen the development of a more sustainable, competitive, and high-technology national aquaculture industry. The intention was expressed when Brazilian Ambassador to Malaysia Daniella Ortega de Paiva Menezes paid a courtesy call to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The ministry highlighted that this inaugural meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to explore potential cooperation in the agriculture and food security sectors, while further strengthening existing trade relations between Malaysia and Brazil. Discussions also included the potential export of fruits from Brazil to Malaysia, particularly apples, with the apple export protocol expected to be finalised soon. This could pave the way for trade cooperation to expand to include other fruits such as yellow watermelon.
Further discussions focused on technical cooperation between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). This includes the signing of a letter of intent ahead of a memorandum of understanding on research collaboration involving corn, coconut, soybean, and sorghum crops, as well as the exchange of technical expertise between the two research institutions.
During the meeting, Brazil confirmed its participation in the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition 2026, scheduled to be held from August 28 to September 6 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) under the theme 'Value Creation for Food Security'.
Agricultural trade records between Malaysia and Brazil up to December 2025 showed a value of RM6.53 billion, comprising exports of processed food products and various other food products. Major imports from Brazil consisted of sugar, sugar-based products, and honey.