Maputo - Portugal's Minister of Agriculture and Food, Maria do Céu Antunes, said last Thursday, in Maputo, that Mozambique has exceptional conditions to help Portugal with cereal imports. The statement came after a meeting with Portuguese businesspeople in the agricultural sector operating in Mozambique.
Maria do Céu Antunes highlighted that, although Portugal is not self-sufficient in cereal production, whether for human consumption or for animal feed, Mozambique is emerging as a strategic partner in this area. "Mozambique can and should contribute to this joint effort", the minister stressed, pointing to the need for stronger collaboration between the two countries.
The Portuguese minister underlined the favourable conditions Mozambique offers for agricultural and agro-industrial development, while pointing to the need for improvements in aspects such as logistics and transport chains, as well as more attractive financing to boost the sector.
During the first European Union - Mozambique Investment Forum, held on Wednesday in Maputo, the minister emphasised the importance of investing in African agriculture, especially in Mozambique, given its favourable climate and soil conditions. This appeal comes in a context marked by the global challenges posed by the covid-19 pandemic and armed conflicts in several regions of the world.
In addition, Maria do Céu Antunes said that Portugal is working with Mozambique on the quality certification of Mozambican food products, under the 2022-2026 Strategic Cooperation Plan. This joint effort covers areas such as food security and the preservation and multiplication of seeds, aspects crucial to strengthening agriculture and agribusiness in Mozambique.
The minister concluded by reinforcing the idea that the time is right to rethink and step up investment in Africa, and in particular in Mozambique, a country with great potential to become a key player in supplying cereals to Portugal and, by extension, to Europe.
