The main topic of this article is to outline the agri food sector within expanded Mercosur countries (Mercosur plus Chile and Bolivia), and to discuss the trends of production, trade, physical and human resources, infra-structure, food industry, and, finally, public policies. The article analyses the threats and opportunities of extra-block competitiveness. Having as its goal the improvement of competitive advantages of extra-block exportations, the article proposes a strategic agenda for private and public policies. It concludes that Mercosur must improve its status of an exporter of agribusiness products. Therefore, it is necessary to yield competitiveness and profitability of the productive base of goods and services, which is conceived as the main instrument in pursuing the block’s equity and sustainability.
agribusiness; Mercosur; competitiveness; public and private policies; strategies
