Renata Maron is a distinguished Brazilian journalist with over 20 years of experience in television, specializing in agribusiness, economy, and international coverage. She was a prominent figure at Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação, she has anchored and served as editor-in-chief for programs like Bem da Terra on TerraViva and contributed to Band Internacional. Known for her authentic and engaging storytelling, Renata has conducted exclusive interviews with key figures such as Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Vice-President, and has reported from countries including Saudi Arabia, the United States, France, and New Zealand. Recognized as one of Brazil’s most influential journalists, she hosts the podcast Renata Maron Entrevista, engaging with global agribusiness leaders. Recently, she was honored with the “Os Mais Admirados da Imprensa do Agronegócio” award for her impactful work.
The following is an interview we conducted with Renata Maron recently.
Related: Demystifying Brazilian Halal Industry: A Visit To A Halal Slaughterhouse
Could you please let us know a bit about yourself and how you got started as a journalist?
I am the middle of three sisters. I was born in São Paulo, but my mother is from Mato Grosso do Sul, and my father was from Minas Gerais. So we are the daughters of hardworking parents who, despite having limited resources, encouraged us to enjoy studying and taught us unique values such as transparency, humility, and generosity. I was the first in the family to enter the field of communication. Being shy, I asked to take a professional theater course when I was 14 years old. Shortly after, I decided that I wanted to become a TV journalist. It was not easy to get my first job on TV, but sending more than 100 CVs, I was called to be a trainee at Bandnews, a Brazilian news station focused on hard news. From there, more than 20 years have passed, and I have followed a path that began with me carrying tapes and has led to me becoming an anchor and reporter for special coverages in other countries.
What inspired you to become one of the most popular journalists in Brazil?
I have always been detached from prejudices and ideologies. Because of this, I believe that God and the universe have contributed to allowing me to visit more than 20 countries so far, covering the agro and food production sectors. I always try to immerse myself in the country, understand its culture, population, history, and dive deep to present not my point of view but theirs, so they can narrate their own stories.
What is your opinion about the Brazilian economy?
Brazil is a diverse and beautiful country with distinct cultures, roots, and particularities in each region. Since we are a continental country with several climates and biomes, each has its unique characteristics, spanning 8.5 million square kilometers. We are the largest economy in Latin America, and today, Brazil feeds almost 1 billion people worldwide, in addition to the national population, thanks to its thriving agro sector, which represents about 25% of our GDP and over 40% of our exports. We are the world’s largest exporters of coffee, orange juice, soybeans, corn, cotton, sugar, meats, and cotton, to name a few examples.
What is the importance of the Halal industry in supporting the overall Brazilian economy?
It is a priority in terms of market diversification. We have significant partners such as China, the European Union, and the United States. However, a few decades ago, our economy began to open markets in the Middle East, which has become a strategic commercial partner. Today, we are the world’s number one Halal exporter of chicken, and we are exploring products with higher added value, such as the beauty and pharmaceutical industries. During my recent visits to countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, I was delighted to see how they consume our açaí and coffee.
What steps has the Brazilian government taken to make the country the largest Halal meat exporter in the world?
To become a reliable partner and understand the Arab countries more deeply. In Brazil, we have a large number of Arabs and their descendants, approximately 12 million. It’s a beautiful culture that deserves our special attention. This journey has been built over decades. I believe that we have come to know each other more and more, and the Arab world and the Halal-consuming countries see in Brazil a fidelity and strategy that is difficult to find in other countries.
Do you believe various governments in Brazil have been consistent in their policies toward developing the Halal meat industry in the country?
Yes, we have seen in all governments the best alignment with the Halal industry, not only with the meat industry giants but also with other sectors. The Halal Brazil project, promoted promoted by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and ApexBrasil, is currently touring the country, searching for companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, to discuss the possibilities of obtaining certification and finding significant business opportunities in the Arab world.
You meet a lot of Muslims in your working life who come from foreign countries. What do you think Brazil should do to attract more Muslim travelers?
Invest more in Halal tourism and show that we are a people and a culture that, for the most part, is free from prejudices and open to showing our beauties, cultures, stories, and traditions.
What are the major challenges and opportunities for Brazilian Halal exporters?
Knowledge. Disseminating information and showing exporters how they can reach this market full of opportunities. After all, we are talking about approximately 2 billion people worldwide and a trillion-dollar market that still has room for exploration.
What is the future of the Halal industry in Brazil?
I see a market expanding and growing steadily. As I mentioned earlier, with companies—besides the meat industry giants—getting to know, traveling, and exploring the Arab world and countries with predominantly Muslim populations like Malaysia and Indonesia, the opportunities are enormous.
What advice would you give to potential Halal importers from various countries so that they could easily start developing business relationships with Brazilian Halal exporters?
The first step is to learn as much as possible and look for a certifying company to start the process. Today, with ESG practices, the path has become faster. The use of technologies has also helped speed up this certification process. Afterward, it’s essential to visit and showcase products at important Halal trade fairs and dive into the opportunities available.
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