Global demand for food remains strong and increasingly demanding. In 2022, global exports of agricultural products reached around USD 2 trillion and accounted for nearly 10% of total merchandise trade, consolidating agriculture as a driver of international trade, even in a context of logistical and regulatory volatility (WTO, 2023). By 2025, the rules of the game will place traceability, regulatory compliance, and post-harvest efficiency at the center of export strategy.
1) Size the market and prioritize categories with the most traction.
- Market size: Global agricultural exports totaled ~USD 2.0 trillion in 2022, with double-digit year-on-year growth compared to 2021 (WTO, 2023).
- Opportunity in fruit and vegetables: Global exports of fruits and nuts (HS08) exceeded USD 170 billion in 2022, demonstrating resilience and Latin America's strong role as a counter-seasonal supplier (ITC Trade Map).
- Action: Prioritize portfolios with sustained demand and clear commercial windows (e.g., berries, table grapes, avocados, citrus fruits), adjusting harvest and logistics to premium price windows.
2) United States: Prepare for FSMA 204 (traceability) before 2026
- Key date: January 20, 2026, the food traceability rule (FSMA 204) comes into effect for those who sell in the US (FDA).
- Scope: Applies to foods on the Food Traceability List (FTL), which includes various fresh produce such as cucumbers, fresh herbs, leafy greens, melons, peppers, sprouts, and tomatoes, among others.
- Requirements: Record and be able to deliver within 24 hours records of critical events (receipt, transformation, shipment) and key traceability data at the batch level.
- Action: Implement batch identification and digital data capture in the field, packaging, and transit; validate suppliers and carriers. If you process, define critical points and data flows with your U.S. customers.
3) European Union: due diligence under EUDR and geolocation of parcels
- Dates: The EU Regulation on Deforestation (EUDR) applies from December 30, 2024, for large companies and from June 30, 2025, for micro and small companies (EU).
- Scope: Requires "deforestation-free" and geolocated traceability for coffee, cocoa, beef, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood (and some derivatives).
- Implications for agricultural exporters: Although many fruits/vegetables are not directly covered by the EUDR, European buyers are extending traceability and no-deforestation clauses to their entire supplier base.
- Action: Integrate geospatial evidence (polygons/parcels) and land use verifications into your due diligence; align documentation with your EU clients.
4) MRLs and border rejections: pesticide residues remain under scrutiny
- Trend: In the annual RASFF reports, pesticide residues remain among the most frequent causes of notifications and rejections in fruits and vegetables entering the EU (RASFF).
- Action: Review current MRLs by destination (EU/US/UK), validate application plans and grace periods, and use ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories. Establish batch sampling in high-risk windows.
5) Reduces post-harvest losses: 14% of food is lost before reaching retail
- Key fact: Approximately 14% of food is lost between harvest and retail point of sale globally (FAO).
- Impact: With perishable goods, every percentage point of shrinkage can wipe out your export margin.
- Action: Improve pre-cooling (hydrocooling/forced-air), monitor temperature and humidity during transport (data loggers, IoT), and standardize maturity and handling indices in the field and during packaging.
6) Close the financing gap: the global gap reached USD 2.5 trillion
- Key fact: The global trade finance gap reached USD 2.5 trillion in 2022, particularly affecting exporting SMEs (ADB).
- Action: Negotiate confirmed letters of credit, international factoring, or supply chain finance programs with your anchor buyers. Impeccable documentation (POs, contracts, BLs, certificates) increases the approval rate.
7) 90-day action plan for 2025
- Compliance diagnosis by destination: FSMA 204 (if you sell to the US), EU requirements (EUDR/LMR), UK, and Asian markets.
- Traceability and data: Defines batches and digitally captures critical events from the field; establishes a document repository accessible to customers.
- Post-harvest and quality: Harvesting, cooling, coating, and modified atmosphere protocols; KPI for loss by stage.
- Customer portfolio and terms: Review Incoterms, force majeure clauses, and quality claims. Establish logistics service level agreements (SLAs).
- Financing: Explore options with local banks, export credit agencies, and foreign trade fintechs.
Conclusion
The competitive advantage in 2025 will not only be producing more, but delivering better: verifiable traceability, proactive regulatory compliance, and fine control of post-harvest. With a $2 trillion market and stricter buyers, those who integrate data, processes, and financing will have priority in pricing, repeat orders, and access to premium channels.
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