On September 21, 2015, new ATO Director, Chanda Berk, hosted a reception at celebrity Chef Alex Atala’s restaurant, Dalva e Dito in Jardins for traders, government officials, and cooperator representatives to lay out the new vision for the ATO.
Before being sent to Brazil, Chanda worked as Deputy Director of the Division of Technical Regulations and Processed Products of the Department of Agriculture (or USDA) in Washington. Prior to that she served as Director of ATO Chengdu in China, and also spent three years in FAS’s Beijing office.
The USDA has a long relationship with Brazil. We have had a presence in the country for over 50 years. For USDA, Brazil is not only an important trading partner but a global leader in agriculture and one of the most important countries in the hemisphere. Despite the economic and political situation facing the country, we believe in Brazil, and its ability to survive adverse times.
In 2014, agricultural exports from the United States to Brazil registered 1.7 billion, a drop of 16 per cent from the previous year, but still one of the highest levels of the past decade. The segment of high value-added products, although a niche market, reached the tenth year of expansion, totaling 288 million dollars.
However, the Brazilian consumer continues to demand diversified products. Food evokes different meanings in various cultures, new food standards are delineated and we need to keep up with these changes.
In addition to the services the ATO already offers the agribusiness community, we want to deepen our partnerships with trade associations, retailers, wholesalers, hotels, restaurants, importers and distributors of food. Together we can maximize the opportunities that will arise for sure.
We have an ambitious plan and reinvented strategy for the next three years. So expect new events, with a new marketing strategy /concept and new projects! We look forward to partnering with you!