Recently, the Latin American e-commerce giant "Mercado Livre" announced its plans to invest 57 billion reais in its key market, Brazil, in 2026. This investment amount represents a 50% increase from the 38 billion reais invested last year and a significant leap from the 2 billion reais invested in 2019.

Reportedly, the 57 billion reais investment will be used to expand the logistics network within Brazil, strengthen the e-commerce platform's operational systems, and scale up the credit business of its fintech subsidiary, Mercado Pago, covering certain costs and operating expenses.

As a core initiative of this investment plan, Mercado Livre plans to establish 14 new fulfillment distribution centers in 2026, increasing the total number of distribution centers to 42.

Fernando Yunes, Vice President of Mercado Livre's Latin American Commerce and Head of Brazil business, stated that this additional investment is a response to the rapid growth of its Brazilian operations and recognition of the enormous development potential in the local e-commerce sector. He highlighted that Brazil's e-commerce penetration rate is currently only around 16% to 17%, significantly lower than other markets, showcasing immense growth potential.

In this context, the expansion of the logistics network becomes one of the main pillars of the investment plan, aiming to increase facility capacity and expand business coverage.

Furthermore, Mercado Livre revealed that approximately 10,000 new job positions are expected to be created in Brazil in 2026, with a focus on logistics operations, financial services, and technological research and development. By the end of the year, the total number of employees of the company in Brazil is expected to surpass 70,000.