ACORDO MERCOSUL-UNIÃO EUROPEIA E O AGRONEGÓCIO BRASILEIRO: IMPACTOS E PERSPECTIVAS PARA O MATO GROSSO DO SUL

Abstract

Over three decades, the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU) have come together to form what could be one of the largest global economies. As a result of their efforts, the Mercosur–EU Association Agreement was realized, sealing this bi-regional integration between two major economic powers. Among the agreement's provisions, many dedicated special attention to the agribusiness sector, which was the focus of extensive discussions during the drafting process. Agribusiness receives special attention because it is one of the main economic sectors of the economic blocs, with the potential to influence their international trade policies. In this sense, the justification for this study lies in the potential of this association agreement to influence the economic reality of Brazil, as well as the lives of the Brazilian population, particularly the people of Mato Grosso do Sul. The overall objective of this study is to analyze the implications of the Mercosur–EU Association Agreement on Brazilian agribusiness, with an emphasis on the economic, social, and productive consequences resulting from trade liberalization between the blocs. The specific objective is to understand the role of agribusiness in Brazil's trade policy, assessing how market opening may impact productive and export dynamics, especially in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, one of the country's largest agricultural hubs. The work adopts the deductive-explanatory method, relying on bibliographical and documentary research based on scientific articles, institutional reports, and international legal instruments. Ultimately, it was demonstrated that the agreement is likely to have a major impact on the Brazilian economy, especially on Mato Grosso do Sul. This is due to the fact that the main exports sought by the European bloc—namely soy, sugarcane, and beef—are the focus of production in Mato Grosso do Sul. Once tariffs on these products are reduced, Mato Grosso do Sul will gain access to large markets that demand a superior quality of goods, thereby generating higher productivity and better product standards in the state, further stimulating the development of Mato Grosso do Sul.