Mercosur and EFTA signed their Free Trade Agreement
- barboraarendasova
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
On September 16, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, a landmark agreement was signed between Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) and EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein).
This is more than a diplomatic milestone. It reshapes trade relations and opens a new spectrum of opportunities for SMEs, exporters, and logistics operators on both sides.
The numbers at a glance
Free trade area of more than 300 million people
Combined GDP of USD 4.3 trillion
Coverage of 97 percent of exports exchanged between the blocs
What this means in practice
For Mercosur SMEs: Preferential access to high-purchasing-power markets in Europe, greater client diversification, and a buffer against local volatility.
For EFTA companies: Entry into a dynamic market of 260+ million consumers, with opportunities in agribusiness, energy, and services.
For logistics and supply chains:• Higher export volumes driving more freight and customs activity• Growing demand for cold chain optimization and certified storage, especially in food exports• Increased need for integrated services—forwarding, customs brokerage, insurance, and certification solutions
Sectors with the greatest potential
Agribusiness: meat, dairy, fruits, grains
Industry and manufacturing: machinery, auto parts, chemicals
Specialized services: logistics, transportation, foreign trade consulting
Next steps
The agreement must still be ratified by the parliaments of each member country. Entry into force is expected by late 2026, but preparation should start now. Exporters, SMEs, and logistics providers need to review compliance requirements, certification standards, and operational capacity to fully capture the opportunities this new trade corridor will create.
Original source:
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