The government has also arranged for Petrobras to be the primary operator of all pre-salt oil fields and to have a minimum 30 percent stake in all pre-salt joint ventures, an arrangement that is still competitive in relation to other major oil-producing states like Nigeria and Venezuela (and without the high militant and political risk).

FORBES: Brazil: Strategic Planning For Pre-Salt

The stronger Brazilian real in relation to the dollar has made Brazilian beef a little less competitive overseas and U.S. cattle country is one of its benefactors of that exchange rate.

FORBES: US Overtakes Brazil As World's No. 1 Beef Exporter