EXPERIENCE LATAM Santa Catarina, Brazil

Back in 2007, when FedEx set up its station in Blumenau, it wasn’t a matter of chance, it was a bold, strategic move. The company was riding a wave of growth in the region, powered by sharp, focused marketing campaigns designed to connect with the booming textile and fashion industries. And with the State of Santa Catarina being recognized as one of Brazil’s leading export engines, Blumenau was the perfect place to land.

This Itajaí Valley in Santa Catarina is much more than a geographical area. It’s a business ecosystem:

•⁠ ⁠Main economic centers are: Itajaí, Blumenau, Brusque (aka Brazil’s textile capital), Balneário Camboriú Joinville, Jaraguá do Sul, Gaspar, Rio do Sul

•⁠ ⁠Hosts over 8,000 clothing and textile businesses

•⁠ ⁠Port of Itajaí and Navegantes airport, connect local production to the main Brazilian markets and to the world

But doing business in the region, especially in transportation and supply chain service, does not come without challenges:

•⁠ ⁠Over the last 10 years, investments in Santa Catarina’s logistics infrastructure have fallen short of the demand. Despite a 6.6% growth in port cargo volume (Q1-2024 vs previous year), there is still an investment gap of over $3.2 billion to modernize roads, railways, ports and airports (source: AInvest.com)

•⁠ ⁠During the same period, extreme floods caused nearly $145 million in public infrastructure losses, disrupting roads and port operations. The impact on private businesses is estimated at around $85 million, driven by infrastructure damages and revenue declines from supply chain interruptions..

Yet, what makes the valley truly unforgettable isn’t just the numbers or the challenges. It’s the people.

The Itajaí Valley is a cultural mosaic — German, Italian, Portuguese, Afro-Brazilian, and Indigenous roots all blending into a rich identity. You feel it in their entrepreneurial spirit, their resilience, and their joy of community. Whether it’s Oktoberfest in Blumenau, or the textile craftsmanship passed down for generations, this region thrives on a beautiful balance of hard work and celebration.

Every time I’ve been there, I left inspired, not only by the business opportunities, but by the energy of the people who keep reinventing themselves and their region. That’s the real heartbeat of Santa Catarina.