Find Brazilian Buyers, Importers, Distributors (2025 List)

Brazil is not only large when it comes to beef and coffee exports. It's a giant in importing goods, too. With over 215 million citizens and a middle class that continues to expand, the nation is attracting billions of dollars in goods annually. To be precise, in 2023 alone, food and drink imports topped $20 billion, and that figure's been increasing at about 5% per annum.

When you’re browsing the Brazil buyer database, you’ll see it’s not all about bulk rice or wheat. Brazilian food buyers are looking for premium and specialty items – plant-based proteins, functional beverages, gourmet snacks, and international flavors you can’t find locally. Brazil buyers want quality but they also want to be able to rely on you. If you can deliver both, you have a chance at multi-year contracts.

For exporters, to Brazil the window of opportunity is wide open. But you must get to know the local regulations, certifications, and labeling requirements. Once you’ve done that, you have a big market that appreciates reliable supply and competitive pricing.

Demand isn’t stuck on just staples. Food buyers in Brazil are mixing traditional imports with premium, trendy products that match the changing lifestyle of consumers. And honestly, the numbers speak for themselves.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s pulling in strong demand:

• Wines and spirits – Brazil has shelled out more than $1.5 billion on alcoholic beverages in 2023. Wine is at the top of the list, but craft spirits are gradually making room as well.
• Seafood – Frozen seafood products, fish, and shrimp remain high on the shopping list, particularly in coastal cities and urban cities.
• Dairy foods – Cheese, butter, and instant milk take the top position. Of late, there is increasing discussion surrounding premium and organic variants as well.
• Processed food – Pre-cooked meals, canned foods, and ready-to-eat snacks are catching on. Active lifestyles translate into eating quickly, so quickly cooked foods are becoming the standard.

Specialty foods – Olive oil, spices, and upscale condiments come to mind. The popularity of international foods in Brazil has seen this category move up.

Now, the good stuff: wholesale buyers in Brazil aren't just playing it safe. They're also focusing more on:

• Organic products
• Plant-based proteins
• Sustainable and green brands

If you’re planning to export to Brazil, it’s smart to know who you’re dealing with.

Here’s a closer look at the main groups:

• Importers – They’re the ones moving goods across borders. Most Brazil importers deal with customs, logistics, and bulk procurement. Their focus is usually on compliance, steady supply, and price points that make sense for the market.
• Distributors – Consider them the connectors. They distribute to supermarkets, restaurants, and smaller stores. For them, the most important are guaranteed delivery times and fast-moving merchandise.
• Retail chains – Supermarkets, gourmet outlets, and hypermarkets tend to buy directly. They desire trend-relevant, certified, and cutting-edge merchandise that will be noticed on the shelves. Securing a position on a list of buyers in Brazil frequently involves breaking this market.
• Foodservice (HORECA) – Hotels, restaurants, and caterers are not only considering taste; they're also watching presentation and portioning. If you can establish consistency, they will stick with you.
• Online retailers – Online shopping is thriving in Brazil. These Brazilian food buyers are interested in niche products, gourmet imports, and items that accommodate health or lifestyle fads. Well-packaged, shelf-stable items do extremely well here.
• Brazilian wholesale buyers – They serve neighborhood stores and small businesses. What do they need? Inexpensive merchandise with broad appeal. If your merchandise is able to move in quantity, this segment will move them quickly.

The Brazil buyer database indicates that lots of foreign suppliers already are successful here, and the key difference is preparation.

Here's an easy step-by-step guide:

• Check the market first – Don't charge in. Look at what's popular and who's purchasing. A Brazil buyers list can provide an indication of demand, from large importers to specialist food buyers in Brazil.
• Regulatory compliance matters – Brazil has its own rules. For food and beverages, you’ll deal with ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) and MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply). These are non-negotiable, so make sure your paperwork and product standards are in line.
• Documentation is a must – You’ll need the basics:
  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of lading
  • Certificate of origin
  • Health or quality certifications (depending on product)
• Choose the appropriate logistics partner – A shipping company or freight forwarder that is familiar with Brazilian import regulations can take a huge load off your shoulders. The inappropriate partner can hold up your shipment, and that's money down the drain.
• Get Incoterms sorted out – Who pays for what? Shipping, insurance, customs fees — everything must be determined prior to goods being shipped from your warehouse.
• Product registration (if required) – Some product categories, particularly food and beverages, require registration with local authorities prior to sale. Failure to do so causes your shipment to be held up at customs.

The food safety and quality are taken fairly seriously by Brazilian authorities, and by the Brazilian buyers as well who will verify whether your products are up to the appropriate standards. Here's a straightforward explanation of the most usual certifications:

• ANVISA Approval – This is not negotiable for foods, drinks, and all health-related items. In short, if your product has any connection with health or nutrition, it passes through ANVISA.
• MAPA Certification – Animal products such as dairy, meat, honey, or seafood require MAPA approval. It's managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply.
• ISO 22000 or ISO 9001 – Not legally required, but Brazilian importers and distributors tend to like to have suppliers who are able to provide good quality and food safety systems.
• Halal and Kosher Certifications – There's continuous demand in Brazil for these certifications, particularly in urban areas where there are mixed communities. Some Brazilian food buyers will explicitly request them.
• Organic Certification – Products labeled "organic" must be in accordance with Brazilian organic regulations. International certifications are not necessarily sufficient — local acceptance is important.

Besides these, there are additional stamps that distinguish you from being just included in any list of Brazil buyers or even scrolling through a Brazil buyer directory:

• Fair Trade
• Non-GMO
• Sustainability-oriented labels

Different types of packaging matter for different buyers:

• Retail-ready packs – Big supermarkets and specialty shops prefer something that can go straight to the shelf. No extra fuss.
• Bulk formats – If you’re selling to wholesale buyers in Brazil or foodservice distributors, they’ll want large, cost-effective packs.
• Eco-friendly options – Recyclable, biodegradable, or reduced-plastic packs are getting attention. Brazilian consumers are actually asking for them more than before, and many Brazil importers now see it as a selling point.

Labels are just as important. They’re not “optional extras” — they’re required, and they have to be in Portuguese. At the very least, you’ll need:

• Product name and brand
• Full ingredients list
• Net weight or volume (metric units only)
• Country of origin
• Nutritional information (Portuguese presentation)
• Information on allergens
• Best-before or expiration date
• ANVISA or MAPA conformity marks, if necessary