India has shot past Brazil in food exports to the Arab countries for the first time in 15 years as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted trade flows in 2020, according to a Reuters report from Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Data provided by the Arab-Brazil Chamber of Commerce to the news agency shows that Brazil accounted for 8.15% of the total farm products imported by the 22 members of the League of Arab states last year, while India accounted for 8.25% of the total trade pie.

Brazil lost ground to India and other exporters such as Turkey, the United States, France and Argentina due to the disruption of traditional shipping routes.

Brazilian shipments to Saudi Arabia that once took 30 days could now take up to 60 days, according to the Chamber, whereas India's closer geographic location enables ships carrying fruits, vegetables, sugar, grains and meat to reach Arab ports in a week.