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State leaders talk trade in South America

Gov. Brian Kemp and a group of state leaders traveled to South America the last week in August to promote economic development opportunities for business leaders in Brazil and Argentina that the governor said will benefit Georgians. Kemp was joined by Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper also took part in the trip, representing the state’s agricultural interests.

Kemp told Georgia Farm Bureau media that the underlying goal was to reacquaint Brazil with Georgia’s strengths.

“I feel like we need to go down there and replant a flag, if you will,” Kemp said. “Let our presence be known [and] look at opportunities. I personally have been concerned about how much China and Russia have been playing in South America and the U.S. not so much over the last several years.”

Both Brazil and Argentina have had consulates in Georgia since 1899. The state has had continuous representation in Brazil since 1995. In 2024, Georgia's exports to Brazil totaled $748 million. The state’s representative in Chile also serves the Argentinian market. In 2024, Georgia's exports to Argentina totaled $120 million.

“Companies from South America have invested over $160 million in Georgia over the last six years, with the bulk of investments and jobs coming from countries where Georgia is represented,” Kemp said prior to the excursion. “Since I took office, businesses that operate in Brazil have created over a thousand jobs for Georgians, with many investments strengthening established sectors like our No. 1 industry of agriculture. We're always eager to grow those pipelines of opportunity so more Georgians in all parts of the state can benefit."

The governor, joined by representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Ports Authority, conducted meetings with firms already operating or under construction in Georgia and attended diplomatic and relationship-building meetings. During their visit, they also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the state economic office in Brazil.

“The success of Georgia’s No. 1 industry depends on our farmers' ability to get their goods to market and leveraging Georgia’s port system and reducing trade barriers with countries around the globe are vital components of ensuring the continued success of Georgia agriculture and our state as a whole,” Harper said.

“Through our ports and collaborations such as the Delta Air Lines-LATAM partnership, Georgia’s connectivity to South America means opportunity,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Brazil and Argentina are home to some of the largest agriculture and infrastructure companies in South America, aligning with Georgia’s strong agribusiness and food and beverage industries as well as the state’s continued growth and investments in infrastructure development.”

The group visited key agribusinesses while in South America, including Pilgrim’s parent company JBS, biofuels producer GranBio, and agricultural machinery producer AGCO. The Georgia leaders also visited gun manufacturers Taurus and BERSA.

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