After more than 25 years of negotiations, the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is finally entering a concrete phase. This step opens up new prospects for Italian companies interested in the markets of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
In his contribution published in Milano Finanza, Alessandro Fichera, CEO of Octagona and Equity Partner of Bonfiglioli Consulting, analyzes the opportunities offered by the progressive reduction of trade barriers. The agreement provides for the gradual reduction of tariffs on 91% of the customs codes, particularly benefiting sectors such as machinery, automation, automotive, pharmaceuticals, agro-food, energy and infrastructure.
But reducing entry costs does not automatically mean conquering a market. To turn this opening into real growth, a targeted strategy, reliable partners, structured distribution networks, and in-depth knowledge of the local context are needed.
Brazil and Argentina offer a growing demand for technology, industrial skills and solutions for productive transformation. Italian companies can therefore look beyond simple exports, by building partnerships, production agreements, joint ventures and a stable presence in the territory.
The first signs are encouraging: in May 2026, Italian exports to the Mercosur countries reached approximately 745 million euros, with a growth of 21.1% compared to the same month of 2025. This is a figure that still needs to be monitored over time, but that confirms the potential of an increasingly strategic market.
ai translated