Minister Fávaro highlights Brazil's sustainable production at Seminar celebrating 50 years of Brazil-China relations

On Wednesday (5), the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, participated in the "Brazil-China Business Seminar: The Next 50 Years" in Beijing during an official mission led by Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin. Fávaro highlighted the importance of the meeting and Brazil's potential to produce sustainably. 

"It is President Lula's mandate to strengthen diplomatic relations. The results are already noticeable. The advancement of commercial relations, business opportunities, and prosperity for both the Chinese and Brazilian people are already evident and reflect in the economies of both countries," Fávaro stated. "This seminar provides an opportunity for Brazilian and Chinese businesspeople and both governments to further strengthen our relations and opportunities," he added. 

Minister Fávaro also noted that Brazil has skilled producers and a commitment to sustainable production. "One of Brazil's greatest assets is sustainability. Brazil is making significant strides regarding sustainable production. We have been working on the national program for the recovery of degraded lands, aiming to increase the productivity of 40 million hectares of land without cutting down a single tree. This could allow Brazil to double its food and energy production while preserving the environment. It presents a great opportunity for global food and energy security," he said. 

At the seminar, government representatives and business leaders from both countries emphasized the importance of the Brazil-China strategic partnership and outlined business opportunities for the upcoming years. 

Alckmin opened the event by noting that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva views China as Brazil's strategic and preferred partner, while Wang Shouwen, China's Vice Minister of Commerce, stated that China always prioritizes Brazil in its diplomatic efforts. Representatives from both countries also see significant potential in Brazilian state policies such as New Industry Brazil (NIB) and the New Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). 

"We will work even harder to improve our partnership, but I especially want to tell Brazilian businesspeople that we are together with the aim of prosperity, fighting poverty, creating jobs, and promoting development," Alckmin said in his opening remarks. "I am confident that with the talent, public spirit, and entrepreneurial capacity of Brazilian and Chinese businesspeople, we have the tools to achieve the common good," he added. 

During the event, the President of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Jorge Viana, highlighted the opportunities between the countries. "Brazil can be a place where Chinese companies establish partnerships with Brazilian companies to manufacture products. The Brazil House (Shanghai) can also help in this regard," he said. 

PARTNERSHIP 

China remained the primary destination for Brazilian agricultural products in 2023. Sales to the Chinese market reached a historic high, totaling $60.24 billion, representing 36.2% of Brazil's total agribusiness exports. China also contributed the most to the growth of Brazilian agribusiness exports in 2023, with an increase of $9.53 billion compared to 2022. 

In the first four months of 2024 alone, Brazil exported $17.09 billion in agricultural products to the Chinese market. 

THE BUSINESS FORUM 

The Brazil-China Business Seminar: The Next 50 Years gathered over 400 businesspeople from both countries and was organized by ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vice Presidency of Brazil, the China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP), and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom), with support from the China-Brazil Business Council and the National Confederation of Industry. 

OTHER EVENTS 

On the second day of the official mission to China, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin also signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to promote Brazilian coffee in China's largest coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, and to establish a Brazilian innovation hub in Shanghai. Both initiatives were led by ApexBrasil. 

Luckin Coffee is the main importer of Brazilian coffee in China. The signed agreement includes the purchase of approximately 120,000 tons of Brazilian coffee by the chain, valued at around $500 million. 

"In 2022, Brazil exported $80 million worth of coffee, and last year, it was $280 million, nearly four times more than the previous year. Now, with this contract with Luckin Coffee alone, we are talking about half a billion dollars, demonstrating that Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, is opening new markets," the Vice President stated. Minister Carlos Fávaro also noted that Brazilian coffee production is evolving with an increasing focus on sustainability. 

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