After meat, Brazil wants bigger bite of Philippines coffee, mineral water markets

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February 26, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Brazil, the country’s top meat supplier, wants to expand its share in value-added food markets like coffee, mineral water and even liquor as it seeks to strengthen its position as one of the Philippines’ top trade partners.

Brazil, through its embassy in Manila, is participating in the three-day World Food Expo (WOFEX) to showcase value-added products it seeks to introduce or expand sales in the local market.

Brazil has brought five companies, three of which are first-time participants of WOFEX, to showcase products including coffee beans, soluble coffee, gin, mineral water, vodka and cachaça, Brazil’s national spirit.

“Brazil is already a trusted agricultural partner of the Philippines, contributing to supply stability and food security,” said Brazilian Ambassador Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura yesterday.

“Our presence at WOFEX demonstrates our commitment to deepen this partnership — expanding from commodities to value-added products that bring innovation, sustainability and new business opportunities to the Philippine market,” De Moura added.

De Moura is optimistic that Brazilian coffee, mineral water and liquor will find niche markets in the Philippines, recognizing stiff competition against other foreign suppliers.

Aside from retail, Brazilian companies are targeting to penetrate further the country’s hotel, restaurant and cafe industry, food service sector and specialized stores.

Some of the key areas that they see immense potential in patronizing Brazilian products will be Poblacion in Makati and Bonifacio Global City where the food and beverage industries are vibrant, De Moura said.

“The Philippine market is becoming sophisticated since Filipinos are now exposed to the world and there is an expanding middle class,” he said.

“Filipinos want to try different things now. Plus, they are looking for products that are sustainable and good for their health, which Brazil can supply,” he added.

Brazil is the world’s top coffee producer, both in terms of beans and soluble coffee while the Philippines is the world’s top consumer of soluble coffee, locally known as 3-in-1.

Brazilian coffee is already present in the country with Brazil being the fourth largest supplier of coffee beans in terms of volume. Last year, imports of Brazilian coffee beans doubled to $4.8 million from $2.3 million in 2024, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

However, Brazil is not in the top 10 suppliers of soluble coffee to the Philippines, PSA data showed.

De Moura explained that Brazil wants to bring its “coffee culture” to the Philippines wherein it becomes the central drink in gatherings at any time of the day.

Meanwhile, Brazilian firm Attiva Water wants to bring in its natural alkaline mineral water that is sourced from Brazil’s Atlantic forest.

Last year, the Philippines imported $18.77 million of mineral and aerated waters, according to the PSA. Some of the imported brands that are present in the local market are Le Minerale, Evian, Jeju Samdasoo, San Pellegrino and Fiji.

As for liquor, Brazil wants to introduce its gin products that are infused with jambu, an Amazonian herb, that provides drinkers with a “fun” experience as it numbs the tongue and lips due to a chemical compound that is not harmful to health.

Aside from meat products, the country imports corn, coffee, soybean cake, orange juice, pet food and ground nuts, among other agricultural commodities, from Brazil.