Climate-friendly fertiliser and salmon for Brazil

Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth and representatives from Norwegian businesses are in Brazil, aiming to support Brazil's green transition through business collaboration. We and our export office in Rio de Janeiro are organising the delegation.

'Around 250 Norwegian companies have a presence in Brazil, and I know that many more are eager to forge closer ties with Brazilian business partners. There is significant potential for future growth, and I am pleased to be here now with a business delegation,' says Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth.

Norwegian and Brazilian businesses have a long history of collaborating on oil and gas projects, but over the past decade, Norwegian companies have significantly increased their investments in renewable energy in Brazil. Several Norwegian solutions and projects can now support Brazil's energy transition and reduce emissions in the offshore and maritime sectors.

'Brazil has a significant need for energy transition and emissions reductions across several sectors, as well as for the development of new industries. Norwegian companies offer solutions in green shipping, port electrification, emissions-reduction technologies and environmentally friendly fertilisers for agriculture. Several major emissions-reduction projects are now under way in Brazil, with Norwegian companies playing an important role,' says Thomas Conradi Granli, who heads our office in Rio de Janeiro.

At Wednesday's business conference, the Bergen-based start-up Fuella marked a major milestone for its project at the Port of Açu, where it will build a facility for the large-scale production of green ammonia using hydrogen. This will support more environmentally friendly shipping in Brazil and lay the foundation for exports.

'Brazil offers an abundance of renewable energy from hydropower, wind and solar. This is the most important input for us as developers of green ammonia and green hydrogen, and therefore the key consideration when choosing locations,' says Thorsten Helms, CEO of Fuella.

The event also marked the opening of the Brazilian market to Norwegian salmon exports. For many years, specific certification requirements made this impossible. Brazilian authorities will now approve Norwegian salmon certified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, allowing it to be imported into Brazil.

'This means Norwegian salmon exporters can reach more than 200 million consumers in Brazil. Brazilians already eat half a kilo of salmon per person, although most of it comes from Chile. The groundwork laid by the embassy and Team Norway in Brazil to secure an agreement on veterinary requirements means we can now view Brazil as a potential growth market. We may be able to establish ourselves as a niche supplier, competing with established products from other countries while reaching consumers who know that Norwegian seafood is worth seeking out in restaurants, hotels and their own kitchens. The opportunity is here now,' says Christian Chramer, Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Yara has extensive operations in Brazil and plans to offer coffee farmers mineral fertiliser with a lower carbon footprint than conventional fertiliser. Replacing fossil gas with renewable energy in fertiliser production will significantly reduce emissions.

'Yara is working to transform the global food system for the better by cutting emissions, protecting nature and improving farmers’ livelihoods. Fertiliser with a lower carbon footprint is an important part of our contribution,' says Marcelo Altieri, Head of Yara Brazil.

Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, who is leading the delegation, is helping open doors for Norwegian businesses in Brazil during the visit. She is also holding political talks during the trip, including on the ongoing negotiations between EFTA and Mercosur on a free trade agreement.