Fieldays expands international relationships through South America visit

21 April, 2026

FIELDAYS EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH SOUTH AMERICA VISIT 

Steve Chappell and Rebecca Foy have returned from a 10-day business trip across South America, strengthening connections for Fieldays and showcasing New Zealand’s primary industries story through key engagements in Chile and Brazil.

Their trip began in Osorno, Chile, where the Society’s Programme Manager Steve Chappell and Customer Account Manager Rebecca Foy attended Field Days Latin America, a New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)-organised trade event supporting New Zealand agritech connections across the region. With NZTE Latin America coordinating the visit, the programme opened with a school session ahead of the main event, sparking thoughtful questions and energetic discussion about the breadth of opportunity across New Zealand’s primary industries.

While in Osorno, Steve and Rebecca also met with Sociedad Agrícola y Ganadera de Osorno and dairy sector representatives including producers, processors and cooperative partners. The discussion focused on Fieldays and practical ways to share ideas and strengthen collaboration between farming communities in New Zealand and Latin America.

Back on site for Day 2, the pair took a valuable exhibitor’s-eye view of the event. They spoke with many people who had visited New Zealand previously, or who were planning to travel for Fieldays, farm tours, or work experience. Conversations also pointed to growing interest in exploring what a Latin American presence at Fieldays could look like in future, creating new channels for innovation and connection to flow both ways.

Beyond the trade event, the Business Visits Immersion programme added depth through farm and factory visits, providing a closer look at local production systems, supply chains and innovation priorities. Steve and Rebecca acknowledged the many hosts involved and the care shown to them throughout.

From Chile, the delegation travelled to Brazil, with a visit to Piracicaba in São Paulo state, widely regarded as a centre of agricultural capability and innovation. Supported by NZTE Brazil, the day included visits with Clínica do Leite, COPLACANA and PwC Brasil/PwC Agtech Innovation, offering a window into the scale of the region and the strength of its agritech ecosystem.

Alongside the business engagements, Steve and Rebecca also reflected on the value of experiencing the region’s culture, history and people, and how that understanding supports stronger relationships over time.

They also met with São Paulo Negócios and São Paulo Turismo S.A., visited Interlagos, and toured BAND - Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação to learn more about its agri media reach. 
The trip included attending the opening of the São Paulo branch of the New Zealand Brazil Business Chamber at Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados, meeting people committed to growing NZ-Brazil cooperation.

The trip is expected to deliver long-term value for Fieldays through the connections and partnerships formed across both countries. It was also a privilege to be part of a cross-sector New Zealand delegation, working alongside leaders from different industries with a shared focus on strengthening relationships and opening new pathways in a fast-growing region.