Russia and Brazil discuss BRICS customs deal as coffee trade surges

Russia and Brazil are discussing a customs agreement within BRICS, but no timeline for its completion has been set, with technical work currently paused, according to Brazil's Federal Revenue Service. The agreement concerns mutual recognition of authorized economic operator programs, aiming to give certified companies from both countries advantages like reduced customs processing time and costs. Moscow and Brasilia do not plan to revise the previously agreed work plan. Separately, Russia more than doubled coffee imports from Brazil, reaching $35.6 million, the highest in five months, driven by favorable conditions and simplified payments. Brazil remains the world's largest producer and exporter of arabica and robusta.