Ibrafe and USDBC Align and Strengthen International Cooperation for Beans

Last week, I accompanied the United States Dry Bean Council (USDBC) visit in the interior of Paraná. They came to evaluate our black bean crop — one of the highlights of Brazilian exports — and brought something even more valuable: a willingness to share knowledge, ideas, and experiences. The USDBC is a global example of a successful promotion strategy. In the US, they not only strengthen exports but also stimulate domestic consumption through educational campaigns, recipe dissemination, nutritional information, and local partnerships, including schools. They work side by side with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and foreign governments to open markets, organize events, and share technical knowledge. It is a long-term policy that values the product, generates income for producers, and makes beans a food present on American family tables. This contrast between the American approach and our reality is striking. Historically, Brazilian agriculture has been marked by ...