Uruguay strengthens its role as a supplier of medical cannabis products to Brazil

For the second consecutive year, Uruguay participated in the Medical Cannabis Fair, the most crucial event in the sector in Brazil, with a delegation of 12 companies. Institutional coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay XXI, the Municipality of Canelones, and the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) made the Uruguayan presence possible.

The interest in the Brazilian market is no coincidence. In 2024 alone, more than 650,000 patients used medical cannabis products in that country, representing a 56% increase over the previous year. This expansion makes Brazil the leading strategic destination—in the short, medium, and long term—for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines produced in Uruguay.

“These events are key to positioning us as a reliable and effective supplier in a rapidly expanding market,” said Agustín Mimbacas, a specialist at Uruguay XXI. In addition to showcasing products and connecting companies, the fair provided a high-level space for technical and regulatory exchange.

Uruguay takes center stage

During the Brazilian Medical Cannabis Congress, held in parallel with the fair, representatives of the Uruguayan ecosystem participated in three prominent panels.

Mimbacas spoke on the panel “Latin American Cannabis Market: Numbers, Trends, and Opportunities,” where he presented regional growth projections and highlighted Uruguay’s competitive advantages in traceability, legal framework, and institutional experience.

For his part, Guillermo Delmonte, from NDLATAM, shared best practices in sustainable business models on the panel “Investment and Financing.” Finally, collaboration in research and development took center stage in “Science Without Borders: Brazil-Uruguay Dialogue on Cannabis Studies,” with the participation of Edelma Rós (Ministry of Public Health), Sebastián Eirea (IRCCA), Gustavo Tamosiunas, and Carina Bértiz (Revista Opción Médica), who discussed advances in clinical research and bilateral academic ties.

Regulatory dialogue and future opportunities

The delegation also held a key meeting with representatives of the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), coordinated by the Consulate General of Uruguay in São Paulo. This meeting continued the dialogue initiated in 2024 when the Brazilian agency reviewed Resolution RDC 327, which regulates the importation of medical cannabis products.

“The event was an essential bridge for international dialogue. We exchanged richly with Uruguayan authorities, discussing regulatory experiences and clinical practices. This type of integration strengthens our work,” said João Paulo Perfeito, manager of herbal medicines at ANVISA, in statements to Sechat.

In addition, the importation of genetics for industrial hemp is expected to be regulated by the end of this year, which could open a new avenue for commercial cooperation between the two countries.

Participation in the Medical Cannabis Fair reaffirmed Uruguay’s commitment to a policy of innovation, responsible regulation, and openness to the world in a sector with high added value and global projection.