Tampa, Manatee port officials join state trade delegation in Brazil

A delegation of Florida business leaders, including ones from Port Tampa Bay and SeaPort Manatee, recently returned from a trade mission to Brazil.

The trip, organized by Enterprise Florida, was to Intermodal South America in San Paulo, from Feb. 27 through March 2. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue joined representatives from Florida seaports, airports and various Florida companies and community partners on the trip, according to a statement. 

“Florida leads the country in trade with South America and this mission will build on existing relationships and create new ones that will further economic growth in our state,” Florida Secretary of Commerce and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida Laura DiBella says in the statement. “Our delegation is committed to expanding business and employment opportunities to ensure our state remains the best place in the nation to live and work. We are excited to showcase Florida’s world-class infrastructure that will continue to increase positive economic outcomes for our state’s workforce.”

Intermodal South America is the largest trade and logistics show in the Americas. Last year’s event, the release states, “brought more than 18,000 people from 45 countries together to share insights and opportunities in logistics, cargo transport and trade.”

In addition to SeaPort Manatee and Port Tampa Bay, the Florida delegation included representatives from World Trade Center Miami, Port Miami, the Beacon Council in Miami, Miami International Airport, Port Everglades, Omni Transloading and Logistics, the Jacksonville Port Authority, and Embraer. 

Trade between Florida and Brazil generated $22.6 billion last year, with $17.3 billion in exports and a 6.5% increase in trade over the past year. There are 46 Florida-based companies operating in Brazil and 16 Brazilian companies operating in Florida.

And Florida trade overall in 2022 hit all-time records, the release states. Merchandise trade valued at $190 billion flowed through Florida’s seaports and airports, with Florida-origin exports reaching $67.5 billion. Florida exported goods to more than 200 countries, making the state one of the world’s leaders in international trade.