Brazil has been authorised to sell 17 products to ​Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, ‌which include key export goods such as beef, poultry and pork, an official ​from the Latin American country’s Agriculture ​Ministry said on Tuesday.

Ethiopia is an ⁠important market in the region, ​as it has a large population ​of about 130 million people, according to United Nations Data.

It marks the first market openings for ​Brazilian goods under the new ​Agriculture Minister Andre de Paula, who took office ‌last ⁠week.

Brazil surpassed 500 new markets last year for its agricultural goods since the beginning of President Luiz Inacio ​Lula da ​Silva’s ⁠current term in 2023.

The authorisations were reported by local ​newspaper Valor Economico earlier in ​the ⁠day, citing Luis Rua, the ministry’s trade and international relations secretary.

Rua confirmed the ⁠news ​to Reuters following ​a request for comment.

–Reuters–